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Experienced franchisees looking to diversify their brand portfolios look to tick several key boxes when it comes to finding their next business opportunity. Overall, the factors that most catch the eye of prospective franchisees include&nbsp;a strong business model, a product they believe in and, of course, the potential for high profitability.

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Penn Station East Coast Subs</a> has all that&mdash;and a bag of hand-cut fries.&nbsp;

Eric Fairbanks is one of the many impressive multi-brand owners who have added the sub sandwich brand to their portfolio over the years. In 2005, Fairbanks opened his first Hungry Howie&rsquo;s Pizza right out of college and has since grown his reach to 14 units around the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area.&nbsp;

He opened his first <a href="http://www.penn-station.com/franchise/index.php?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-penn-station-is-a-simpler-more-profitable-franchise-opportunity-for-multi-brand-owners-looking-to-diversify-their-portfolios-2710590" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Penn Station</a> in April 2018, acquiring an existing store for his second location a year later.

&ldquo;It fit all the criteria I was looking for. I loved the product, the simplicity of the operations, the model for profitability and the whole team,&rdquo; said Fairbanks. &ldquo;When I visited the office, it felt like a family brand that was a good size&mdash;not too big, not too small.&rdquo;

When searching for his next business, Fairbanks knew he wanted to stay in the food industry, but diversify his experience. &ldquo;With Penn Station, I could focus more on operations. That was a nice change from all the marketing of discounts and coupons that the pizza industry requires. I knew I wanted to get away from that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was tempting to look outside of food, but that is where my passion was. It&rsquo;s also a more stable market than others. Plus, I&rsquo;ve always been a big fan of customer service.&rdquo;

And after nearly 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Fairbanks knew what to look for in a profitable business.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I saw a lot of opportunity in Penn Station,&rdquo; explained Fairbanks. &ldquo;Most brands are focused on sales: The higher the sales numbers the better. But Penn Station really focuses on the bottom line, which is really refreshing. And what that boils down to is higher profitability than that of other brands. &rdquo;

With more than 300 locations and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/why-penn-station-is-a-great-multi-unit-franchise-system-2709855" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">only one company-owned unit</a>, Penn Station has perfected its methods for keeping costs down for franchisees. Despite rising food and real estate costs across the foodservice industry, Penn Station&rsquo;s food costs remain steady&mdash;and some of the lowest the system has seen in the history of the brand. Plus, because the brand doesn&rsquo;t currently offer any discounts or delivery, franchisees never have to deal with those common encroachments on profit.

&ldquo;A lot of other brands in the industry can say their sales are up, but the majority of the time, that&rsquo;s driven by delivery, which cuts into your bottom line,&rdquo; said Greg Goddard, Penn Station&rsquo;s Director of Development and Franchising. &ldquo;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/penn-station-stays-ahead-of-the-industry-in-q2-gears-up-for-more-growth-in-2019-2710391#mostRecent" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">When Penn Station&rsquo;s sales are up</a>, that means take-home profits are higher, and that&rsquo;s something that really sets us apart.&rdquo;

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pennstation/the-number-one-reason-to-buy-a-penn-station-operational-simplicity-2708407" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Penn Station&rsquo;s simple operational model</a> also drives this profitability. &ldquo;You operate with minimal staff and offer a simple menu without too many items,&rdquo; said Fairbanks. &ldquo;At Penn Station, every item is good and we only offer 13 delicious subs, fresh-cut fries and drinks. We do what we do and we do it right. That leads to profitability.&rdquo;

Penn Station makes operations even easier (and more rewarding) for multi-brand franchisees with its unique philosophy of sharing profits with general managers to incentivize performance and drive sales.

&ldquo;Anytime a customer visits a restaurant, you can interact with an actual owner, which means a lot,&rdquo; said Fairbanks. &ldquo;It was a learning curve at first, but the more experience I have with it, the more I look into doing something similar with my Hungry Howie&#39;s. It&rsquo;s nice to provide that map to ownership for managers&mdash;something they can make into a lifelong career.&rdquo;

The startup costs for a Penn Station franchise range from $293,102 to $593,027, with a franchise fee of $25,000. For more information on franchising with Penn Station, visit <a href="http://www.penn-station.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-penn-station-is-a-simpler-more-profitable-franchise-opportunity-for-multi-brand-owners-looking-to-diversify-their-portfolios-2710590" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">http://www.penn-station.com/franchise/</a>.

Why Penn Station Is a Simpler, More Profitable Franchise Opportunity for Multi-Brand Owners Looking To Diversify Their Portfolios

1851 Franchise

After nearly 15 years in the pizza industry, Eric Fairbanks found the ease of operations and low costs he was looking for with Penn Station East Coast Subs.

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

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TruBlue Home Service Ally

Women Leading the Way: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Building Businesses, Empowering Teams and Serving Their Communities

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DRYmedic Restoration

Building Something Bigger: How These Sisters Are Redefining Restoration Through DRYmedic

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Beansquad

BeanSquad - Franchisee Profile - Steve Bjorkman - The UPS Store - 1851 Franchise

Franchisee Spotlight: How One Boise UPS Store Owner Keeps a Growing Operation Financially Organized

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DRYmedic Restoration Caps Banner Year With 25 Territories Awarded, Sets Sights on Strategic Growth in 2026

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Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

This Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchisee Built a Family Business that is Opening Doors for Women Across the Trades

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Jersey Mike's Takes First Steps Towards Initial Public Offering

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Prince St. Pizza Partners With Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Growth

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FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards

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Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units

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Why Skilled Trades Are Emerging as the Economy’s Most AI-Resilient Careers

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After losing his corporate job, Don Bosko convinced Beef ‘O’ Brady’s founder to take a chance on him and helped turn a single restaurant into a scalable franchise model.

30 Years of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: How This Franchise Owner Turned His Family’s Favorite Restaurant Into a Multi-Generational Career 

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bailey">John Bailey</a> has spent most of his career figuring things out as he goes. He started in the automotive industry, where he worked for more than 20 years, before teaming up with his brother to run a home renovation business. When the 2009 recession forced that business in a new direction, he took it as an opportunity to go out on his own. He wasn’t just looking for another job. He wanted something stable, something with a recognizable name behind it and a system he didn’t have to build from scratch. That search led him to&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandatruck.com">TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®</a>, the international, full-service franchised moving company.Sixteen years later, that decision has grown into a five-location operation serving Midtown, Downtown, the Beaches, Thornhill and Vaughan. Bailey runs his teams with a simple mindset: He treats his movers like athletes and puts a heavy emphasis on showing up for customers the right way every time. It’s a big reason why most of his business now comes from referrals. Today, his crews handle everything from everyday family moves to high-profile clients like the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs, while still staying involved in the community through efforts like<a href="https://twomenandatruck.ca/movers-for-moms-program">&nbsp;Movers for Moms®</a>.1851 Franchise sat down with Bailey to discuss his journey as a business owner with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/twomenandatruck">TWO MEN AND A TRUCK</a>. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?John Bailey:&nbsp;I am 63 years old and live in the Scarborough area of Toronto. We opened our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location at 153 Bridgeland Avenue 16 years ago, and we are moving into our 17th year soon. We run a very team-oriented company culture, and I actually see our business as a sports franchise. Our movers are essentially athletes who lift and move furniture all day.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Bailey:&nbsp;Prior to franchising, I worked in the automotive industry for 21 years. After that, I was involved in a home renovations business with my brother, which eventually grew to serve all of Ontario and Alberta. Around 2009, the recession led to a shift in that home renovations business, so I decided to pursue a different direction. I wanted to do my own thing, separate from working with my brother, so I started with one TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise and have since expanded to five units.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Bailey:&nbsp;I initially viewed franchising as just buying into an established brand and system, noticing that many large businesses like McDonald’s and Tim Hortons operate that way. Now that I am in it, I highly recommend becoming a franchisee because of the incredible support system available when challenges arise. However, I want people to know that a good brand does not automatically run itself. Starting a new business requires immense effort and hard work; you have to be actively involved in making it grow.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Bailey:&nbsp;I chose TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for the stability and the support system it provides, allowing for communication and problem-solving with other individuals in the system. It has a great brand name, but a key reason for selecting this brand specifically was the ability to work on the business rather than in it. I am most excited by the corporation’s genuine care for its franchisees and their desire for everyone to succeed and achieve a better quality of life.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Bailey:&nbsp;I aim for continued growth and financial stability in my business, and I would be interested in acquiring more territories if they become available. Culturally, my goal is to always exceed customer expectations and create “raving fans” rather than just satisfied customers. That commitment to service has resulted in a consistently high referral rate that often exceeds 96% every year.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Bailey:&nbsp;We do a lot of exciting commercial work, maintaining contracts with high-profile clients like the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs. We handle complex, last-minute moves, like shipping a player’s belongings from Florida to Sacramento during the pandemic, which really demonstrates our commitment to finding solutions for any problem. We are also heavily involved in charity events, including the annual&nbsp;Movers for Moms initiative, and for the last five or six years, we have coordinated Christmas shoebox deliveries for women in shelters and in abusive relationships across Toronto.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Bailey:&nbsp;New owners must be ready to work hard and stay closely involved in the business, especially in the early stages. I have always believed in being available when needed, and I still share my cell phone number for direct contact. Hard work is a big part of success.ABOUT TWO MEN AND A TRUCK:TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is an international, full-service franchised moving company with more than 430 locations and 3,000 trucks operating in 48 U.S. states in addition to Canada, Ireland, and the UK. Each location is independently owned and operated, and together, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK network has performed more than 10 million moves since its inception in 1985. The moving company has been in Canada for the past 20 years, and more than 30 franchise locations are operating within Canada. In 2024, the Canadian locations moved 26,000 customers while maintaining a 95% referral rating, living up to the brand’s tagline as the Movers Who Care®.&nbsp; TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers comprehensive home and business moving services, professional packing and unpacking, and storage and junk removal services.

image of franchisee John Bailey Two Men and a Truck owner from toronto 

After losing a business in the 2009 recession, Bailey found a new path, and sixteen years in, his leadership and commitment to service continue to shape the way he runs and grows his business.

 How John Bailey Rebuilt After the Recession and Grew to Five TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Locations

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Based in Sumter, South Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dubose-sphr-shrm-scp/">Jason DuBose</a> has built his career on a simple philosophy: people’s stories matter. Having navigated the complexities of caring for his own parents and now supporting his mother-in-law, DuBose is turning his dedication to service into a business with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.griswoldcare.com/">Griswold</a> to provide reliable in-home care to families in South Carolina.Today, after officially opening his doors in March 2026, DuBose serves six counties, including Sumter and Kershaw. His mission is fueled by the faces he saw while responding to welfare checks as a volunteer firefighter — people who just needed a helping hand to stay safe at home. By combining his HR expertise with a genuine love for people, DuBose is proving that the best business owners aren’t just managers; they are our neighbors who care.DuBose sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his whirlwind transition from the beauty industry to home care and why he’s ready to “pound the pavement” for the people of South Carolina. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jason DuBose: I’m a proud Texan by birth, but South Carolina has been home since my youth. My father was in the Air Force, which is how we came to Sumter. This is where I met my wife, Tracy. I was actually her first kiss in middle school! We’ve been together for nearly 30 years and married for over 20, and our 18-year-old son, Mason, graduates from high school this year.Family is the center of my universe. Between Tracy and me, we have one surviving parent, her mother, Pailyn. She goes by Lyn and is just about the sweetest, toughest little old lady I’ve ever met. She’s survived multiple bouts of cancer and still manages a koi pond and four big rescue dogs. Being her support team is an example of exactly what Griswold is about.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?DuBose:&nbsp;I spent almost 30 years in human resources across a wild range of industries, everything from timber processing and meatpacking to my last role in the "clean and conscious" beauty space.I'd always thought about maybe starting a business of my own, but the moment actually kind of came through volunteering. I went through rookie school to become a volunteer firefighter at age 50. While out on calls, I kept seeing seniors struggling with falls, welfare checks and other situations where they simply needed help. I looked at various service brands, but home care was the only thing that touched me personally.1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?DuBose:&nbsp;I don’t think a lot of people realize that two out of three businesses they pass on the road are actually franchises. I knew I wanted to build something, but I didn’t necessarily have a unique idea in mind. Franchising offered a proven system I could get behind.Now that I’m in it, I realize how much the new owner perspective matters. During my research, I specifically asked to talk to people who had been in business for less than six months. Hearing about their current pain points, the startup challenges, was much more relevant to me than talking to someone ten years in. It prepared me for the reality of the daily grind.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?DuBose:&nbsp; It started with a social media outreach from Griswold. The team was infectious. They didn't just talk about numbers. They related everything back to me as a person and my family.What excites me is my cohort of fellow new owners. We have an open chat running constantly, where we celebrate a win or share advice on everything from hiring to growing the business. Having this tether to a group of people going through the exact same whirlwind is a godsend.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;DuBose:&nbsp;I hope that we can do a lot of good first and foremost. If we're doing it right, and this is one of the big takeaways I took from the training with Griswold, we're not recreating the wheel. People have been providing care to their loved ones and others for thousands of years. I just want to do the small things incrementally better than everyone else.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?DuBose:&nbsp;Starting this business has been a whirlwind. I’m a high-energy person, and I’ve realized that while I’m blessed to be on this journey, I have to stay grateful and grounded. I want people to know that I’m not just running a business, I’m one of their neighbors.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?DuBose:&nbsp;You have to believe in something to be able to promote it, otherwise it shows all over your face. Also, do your research on the logistics. I wish I’d had a deeper understanding of the ROBS funding process before I started. Most importantly, find a brand that fits you. When things get tough, that personal connection to the work is what keeps you moving forward.ABOUT GRISWOLD:With over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.griswoldcare.com">www.GriswoldCare.com</a> or call 215.402.0200.

image of griswold home care franchisee in south carolina, jason dubose

After responding to welfare checks as a volunteer firefighter and navigating care for his own family, Jason DuBose opened Griswold to help seniors remain safe at home in Sumter and beyond.

Driven by a Heart for Service, One South Carolina Entrepreneur Turns to Griswold After 30 Years in HR

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image of sweta goyal, puneet mittal, mamta singhal, rajneesh signhal from paris baguette from texas

With five signed locations and their first set to open in January, two entrepreneurial families are turning their love for Paris Baguette into a community-driven business.

How Two Dallas Couples Turned Coffee Runs Into a Five-Store Paris Baguette Deal

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Big O Tires Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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JEI Learning Center Franchise Deep Dive 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: The low-cost supplemental education franchise leverages diagnostic testing and a unique Self-Learning Method to support students’ growth.

Why Penn Station Is a Simpler, More Profitable Franchise Opportunity for Multi-Brand Owners Looking To Diversify Their Portfolios

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