Penn Station East Coast Subs Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Fast-casual sandwich franchise known for its grilled subs made with fresh ingredients and high-quality meats and cheeses, delivering a taste of the East Coast.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
321
+
0%
0%
Franchise fee
?
$25,000
Investment
?
$441,000 - $820,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$779,000
+
0.2%
0.2%
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Launched in 1985 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn Station East Coast Subshas built its reputation on delivering flavorful grilled and cold sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and freshly squeezed lemonade. The fast-casual brand has expanded to more than 300 locations in 15 states, offering a menu that features premium ingredients such as USDA Choice Steak and hearth-baked bread.
One of Penn Station’s standout features is its open kitchen layout, allowing guests to see their meals made right in front of them. This approach enhances the customer experience by combining transparency with a focus on freshness and quality.
Having entered the franchising space in 1987, Penn Station has experienced consistent growth and earned spots in top franchise rankings, such as Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500—recognition that reflects its dedication to high standards and guest satisfaction.
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The initial investment required for a Penn Station East Coast Subs franchise is
$441,000 - $820,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
SITE DEVELOPMENT FEE FOR SINGLE- UNIT FRANCHISEES
$13,500
INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE
$25,000
REAL PROPERTY
STORE CONSTRUCTION
$185,700 to $366,500
EQUIPMENT
$177,800 to $271,900
OPENING INVENTORY
$9,200 to $25,000
1. Insurance, as required by the Franchise Agreement, incurred to the calendar year-end for the initial calendar year of opening
$900 to $4,600
2. Lease, Utility and Miscellaneous Deposits
$1,000 to $7,800
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR FIRST 3 MONTHS
$10,000 to $20,900
1. Site-Advertising for Opening
$0 to $10,000
2. Design Fees for Construction
$12,300 to $18,600
3. Legal Fees; Organizational Costs
$0 to $7,200
4. Pre-Opening Interest Costs
$0 to $17,000
5. Travel, Room and Board to Attend Training Program (depending on distance to training facility)
$3,500 to $8,000
6. Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,500 to $22,700
7. Permits/Licenses
$200 to $1,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$440,600 to $819,700
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
SITE DEVELOPMENT FEE FOR SINGLE- UNIT FRANCHISEES
$13,500
INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE
$25,000
REAL PROPERTY
STORE CONSTRUCTION
$185,700 to $366,500
EQUIPMENT
$177,800 to $271,900
OPENING INVENTORY
$9,200 to $25,000
1. Insurance, as required by the Franchise Agreement, incurred to the calendar year-end for the initial calendar year of opening
$900 to $4,600
2. Lease, Utility and Miscellaneous Deposits
$1,000 to $7,800
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR FIRST 3 MONTHS
$10,000 to $20,900
1. Site-Advertising for Opening
$0 to $10,000
2. Design Fees for Construction
$12,300 to $18,600
3. Legal Fees; Organizational Costs
$0 to $7,200
4. Pre-Opening Interest Costs
$0 to $17,000
5. Travel, Room and Board to Attend Training Program (depending on distance to training facility)
$3,500 to $8,000
6. Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,500 to $22,700
7. Permits/Licenses
$200 to $1,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$440,600 to $819,700
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Penn Station East Coast Subs's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Penn Station East Coast Subs had 322 total units in 2026, of which 321 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Penn Station provides a structured training program to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their restaurants effectively. The Franchisor offers the following types of training:
Initial Training Program Franchisees must successfully complete an initial training program provided by the Franchisor. This program includes both classroom and on-the-job training and is designed to prepare franchisees in all facets of the business, including operations, management, and customer service.
On-site Opening Assistance The Franchisor sends representatives to the new Penn Station restaurant to provide on-site training and assistance during the opening period. This helps ensure that the franchisee and their staff properly implement operational procedures and standards from day one.
Training for Additional Personnel The Franchisor also offers training for the franchisee's employees, especially key management staff. This is usually held at an approved location and is aimed at maintaining consistency and quality across the franchise network.
Territory Protection
Penn Station grants franchisees a one-mile "Restricted Territory" around their restaurant, within which no other Penn Station franchise or company-owned location will be established—unless the franchisee defaults or the agreement ends.
However, franchisees are not given exclusive rights to expand in the surrounding area and have no rights of first refusal. Penn Station may also develop other non-cheesesteak concepts in the same territory without offering rights to existing franchisees.
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