1851

Not many franchisees can say that Mom and Dad introduced them to a brand, but then they&rsquo;re not Rob Chinsky.&nbsp;

The St. Louis native was just 22 years old when he first learned about the East Coast Subs brand, <a href="https://www.penn-station.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=legacy-penn-station-franchisee-rob-chinsky-muses-on-29-years-and-18-units-2710665" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Penn Station</a>.&nbsp;

&ldquo;My parents are friends with the franchisors&rsquo; in-laws and they introduced me to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/info/index.html" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Penn Station</a>,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;My mom thought it would be a good idea to visit the franchise in Cincinnati.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The timing was perfect. Chinsky wanted to open a business but he also desired some help. That family friend financed Chinsky&rsquo;s first Penn Station restaurant, giving Chinsky a welcome boost. He opened his first Penn Station franchise in 1990 in Cincinnati at the age of just 23.&nbsp;

Chinsky&rsquo;s restaurant experience up until that point ran deep. He started working in restaurants at the age of 15 and later earned his Associate degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from St. Louis Community College - Forest Park. He had two jobs before opening his first Penn Station franchise: working first at his cousin&rsquo;s deli and catering company, then at another cousin&rsquo;s full-size, sit-down restaurant.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Starting out so young I did not have the experience to go out completely on my own, but with the help of a franchise I felt confident I could do it,&rdquo; he said, adding that he did not explore any other franchise opportunities once he found the perfect match with Penn Station. &ldquo;This was a unique situation and opportunity for me and I took it. Given my relationship with CEO Jeff Osterfeld&rsquo;s father-in-law and his willingness to help me, I couldn&rsquo;t pass up the opportunity. Mickey&rsquo;s business acumen, his guidance and direction at such an early stage of my career and his access to capital made it wonderful for me. I was working my tail off and he was providing all the above. It was truly a great partnership that benefitted us both.&rdquo;&nbsp;

This past July 5 marked Chinsky&rsquo;s 29-year anniversary with the brand and he opened his 18th location in March 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He enjoys being <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/multi-unit-franchisee-with-penn-station-adds-son-to-business-to-spur-growth-2710350" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a multi-unit owner</a>.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Having multiple units gives us the flexibility for all stores to help each other and grow,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;All 18 locations are within one hour of each other and that has been a big plus over the years. We all work as a team.&rdquo;&nbsp;

So why has everything worked out so well with Chinsky and the Penn Station brand?&nbsp;

&ldquo;I feel that, after 29 years, I am a team player and am willing to help others in the system when needed,&rdquo; he said. Craig Dunaway, President of Penn Station, echoed Chinsky&rsquo;s comments: &ldquo;Rob is well-respected in the system and is constantly helping offer advice and counsel to others in the system. He&rsquo;s been franchisee of the year, served as president of our Franchise Advisory Council and never turns down an opportunity to assist someone who seeks his support.&rdquo;&nbsp;

For Chinsky, being a successful franchise owner goes <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-station-s-item-19-showcases-its-system-s-strength-without-having-to-rely-on-third-party-delivery-systems-2710392" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">beyond the numbers</a> and having a profitable restaurant.&nbsp;

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s also about building a culture that people want to work within and putting efficient systems in place and continuing to grow every day,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Many things make up this list.&rdquo;

Even after 29 years with the brand, Chinsky feels he still learns every day and continues to work on being successful. He considers himself very lucky that a family friend believed in him so many years ago. His goal today is to continue to improve his business and, since he did just open his 18th restaurant in March, maybe take things just a little bit slower. He&rsquo;s certainly earned it.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I would have never dreamed of where I am today in this business,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

The startup costs for a Penn Station franchise range from $290,984 to $594,478. The franchise fee is $25,000. To learn more about franchising with Penn Station, visit <a href="https://www.penn-station.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=legacy-penn-station-franchisee-rob-chinsky-muses-on-29-years-and-18-units-2710665" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">https://www.penn-station.com/franchise/</a>.&nbsp;

Legacy Penn Station Franchisee Rob Chinsky Muses on 29 Years—and 18 Units 

1851 Franchise

Chinsky opened his 18th Penn Station restaurant in March and celebrated his 29-year anniversary with the brand on July 5. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

legacy-penn-station-franchisee-rob-chinsky-muses-on-29-years-and-18-units

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchising - Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career - 1851

Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

kidstrong-franchise-michael-reyes

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Opportunity Is Served: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Seeks to Expand Into Raleigh-Durham with Local Franchise Partners

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-expansion-raleigh-durham

Mosquito Squad Plus

Buzz-Free Growth: How Mosquito Squad Helps Franchisees Scale Faster with a Royalty-Free First Year

buzz-free-growth-how-mosquito-squad-helps-franchisees-scale-faster-with-a-royalty-free-first-year

United Water Restoration Group

How United Water Restoration Group Creates Lasting Client Relationships by Prioritizing Trust and Quality Service in Restoration

how-united-water-restoration-group-creates-lasting-client-relationships-by-prioritizing-trust-and-quality-service-in-restoration

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Rocky Mount, North Carolina

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-rocky-mount-north-carolina

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Robby, Miilie Adams & family, USA Ninja Challenge

Family-Owned and Community-Driven: Robby and Millie Adams Open USA Ninja Challenge Gym in Carrollton, Georgia

usa-ninja-challenge-robby-millie-adams-carrollton-franchise

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Legacy Penn Station Franchisee Rob Chinsky Muses on 29 Years—and 18 Units

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS