Lenny’s Subs, which is rebranding as Lenny’s Grill & Subs, wants to expand in Arkansas, with the goal of opening 20 to 30 in the state in the next five years. That’s according to Bob Ritter, vice president of franchise and market development for the chain, based in Memphis.
Len Moore founded Lenny’s in 1998, but Johnson Ventures now owns the chain, which has 104 shops in 12 states. Little Rock’s Lenny’s is at 11401 Financial Centre Parkway, and it has one location each in Bentonville and in West Memphis.
Lenny’s emphasizes freshness, Ritter said, but what distinguishes the restaurant are its Philly cheesesteaks. And as part of its rebranding, Lenny’s is adding salads and soups to its menu to attract more families.
Lenny’s is looking for single and multi-unit franchisees in Arkansas, Ritter said. Lenny’s averaged $562,000 in sales per store in 2015, he said. The state has a lot of good markets, Ritter said, but finding people committed to the quality the brand seeks to deliver can be a challenge.