Start a Port of Subs Franchise in 2025

2025 Franchise 500 Rank: #241 Ranked #258 last year

Initial investment: $316K - $559K

Units as of 2024: 126 2% over 3 years

From their delicious turkey bacon ranch wrap to their yummy New York steak sandwich, Port of Subs has always had a tasty business. The company began as the Sub Shop, a modest submarine sandwich shop in Sparks, Nevada, founded by two brothers in 1972. John Larsen bought it and renamed it Port of Subs in 1975. Port of Subs soon became ten fully-owned units popular for their outstanding taste and quality servings. In 1985, Larsen decided to begin franchising the concept. Now, there are over 110 Port of Subs locations in the United States.

Why You May Want to Start a Port of Subs Franchise

Since the mid-1980s, Port of Subs has been offering franchise opportunities all over the U.S. For decades, the company has been serving quality meats, fresh bread, spices, and cheeses. Today, franchisees serve cold or grilled sandwiches, salads, wraps, and zesty dressings. Altogether, these delicious foods and the company's business model form a good opportunity for potential franchisees.

Opening a Port of Subs franchise typically trumps going at it alone. You'll likely benefit from a quicker setup, a well-developed customer base, less risk, and faster growth. As a franchisee, you'll be committed to following the company's precise product instructions and business operating system. The franchisor provides the tools, and you'll have access to their time-tested sales models, recognized name, vendor relationships, and purchasing power.

What Might Make a Port of Subs Franchise a Good Choice

Port of Subs currently operates in several franchise locations across the country, and the business is continually offering locations to franchisees. Port of Subs seeks individuals or teams dedicated to growth, consistency, convenience, and quality. Independent franchisees will have the opportunity to build loyal customer streams to possibly help them achieve personal goals.

Of course, franchise revenues will depend on specific factors, including your location, traffic, and lease rates. However, the franchise term with Port of Subs typically lasts for ten years, and if you are successful in your business ventures, Port of Subs may welcome the renewal of your contract. While working with them, you will also have territory rights and comprehensive franchisor support.

How To Open a Port of Subs Franchise

To be part of the Port of Subs team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, or renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

As you begin the process of opening a Port of Subs franchise, you will have the support of the main company. Advisors are available to help you at every step of the way, and through training and conventions, you will have all the necessary tools to create your business.

Soon after, your adventure into the delicious world of the Port of Subs franchise will begin. Where will you let it take you?

Company Overview

About Port of Subs

Industry	Food
Related Categories	Submarine Sandwiches, Sandwiches
Founded	1972
Parent Company	POS Holdings LLC
Leadership	Healey Mendicino, President
Corporate Address	480 E. Happy Canyon Rd. Castle Rock, CO 80108
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1985 (40 years)
# of employees at HQ	42
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.
# of Units	126 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Port of Subs franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$25,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$315,500 - $559,125
Net Worth Requirement Definition: The minimum net worth you must have in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company What you need to know: Net worth is the value of a person's assets minus liabilities. Assets include cash, stocks, retirement accounts, and real estate. Liabilities include items like mortgages, car payments, and credit card debt.	$250,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$100,000
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	50% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	6%
Ad Royalty Fee Definition: An going fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis to support advertising or marketing efforts. What you need to know: This may also be called advertising fee, marketing fee, brand fund fee, and more, but the basic purpose is the same-- to support promotion of the brand systemwide. As with the royalty fee, it is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD, and can be a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales or a weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	1%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing	Port of Subs has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	200 hours
Classroom Training	25-40 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Lease Negotiation Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
# of employees required to run	6-10
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes