How Penn Station East Coast Subs Multi-Unit Franchisee Chris Bowen Found Opportunity Right Down The Street

Chris Bowen's journey with Penn Station East Coast Subs began more than 15 years ago, right down the street from his home. After working for Cooker, a restaurant chain, and then for a preschool as a cook and facilities manager, Bowen noticed a neighbor giving out Penn Station complimentary sub cards as a treat on Halloween.

He checked out the Penn Station website and saw that they had GM positions available. Bowen applied and discovered that his neighbor, Mark Greis, was the owner and the individual who was hiring for the GM position. Bowen was drawn to the profit share opportunity that every Penn Station general manager is provided in their signed contract.

Bowen started working for Mark Greis and later joined the corporate team as an area rep covering Lexington. However, his love of operations called him back, and he worked his way up to become a managing owner in the group. The Lexington group eventually purchased the restaurant in Frankfort that was owned by Mark Greis, but Greis remained a General Manager with another franchisee in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Brand strength and community

The culture and strength of the Penn Station brand continue to drive Bowen's belief in the model he first became a part of 16 years ago. He credits the ownership mentality and the overall strength of the people and products they sell as key factors in the brand's success.

Bowen's locations are actively involved in the community, including catering with the nearby University of Kentucky and sponsoring an annual charity alumni event with Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach John Calipari. He recently became a member of the Penn Station Franchise Advisory Council and brings the knowledge and experience he gained while on the corporate side of things.

The Penn Station operations team, led by VP of Operations Lance Vaught, shares best practices and acts as a bridge between different franchisees in the system. Bowen appreciates the support and resources available to franchisees, which helps them stay connected and improve their operations.

Family involvement and growth

Bowen's journey has brought his family closer together. His wife, Lisa, and their two college-aged children, Josh and Sydney, work in his Richmond, Kentucky, location, while their daughter, Faith, works in the Frankfort location while she's still in high school. Bowen's children have grown up seeing the family dynamic in the restaurant and have become an integral part of the Penn Station experience.

Bowen has no plans to leave Penn Station and is committed to growing the brand and expanding its market. He believes that creating a better work-life balance and finding happiness both professionally and personally is key to success in the restaurant business.

• The Penn Station model provides a strong system and culture for franchisees to build on.
• The profit share opportunity and autonomy given to general managers are key factors in the brand's success.
• The Penn Station operations team shares best practices and acts as a bridge between different franchisees in the system.
• The brand's community involvement and charitable efforts are important aspects of its culture.
• Bowen's family has been an integral part of the Penn Station experience, with his children working in the restaurants and his wife supporting him in his endeavors.