The Industry
If you’re looking to learn more about Blimpie, our history, and what we have to offer our franchisees, you’re in the right place. Having been in business since 1964, Blimpie has a rich history as one of America’s best-known and loved sandwich shops. We’re looking for enthusiastic franchisees to continue the Blimpie legacy in their own communities. Read on to learn more about what makes our brand unique.
Sub Sandwich Industry Growth
The sub shop industry has been steadily growing since 2013, and is estimated to be worth $23 billion today! Why this surge in popularity? It might have something to do with Americans’ increasing attention to their health. Blimpie’s founders knew that people would love to eat at a restaurant that prepared their food fresh, right in front of them, as they watched and customized their choices. We pioneered this concept that is now ubiquitous throughout the sandwich shop industry. Best of all, we offer a wide range of foods other than sandwiches (such as salads and wraps) that allow our customers to make healthier choices. Today, as Americans strive to eat healthier, our fresh ingredients and easily-customized menu make us a popular choice among a growing demographic.
A key segment of this industry is dominated by sub sandwich franchises like Blimpies, and took in an estimated $19.6 billion in revenue in 2013. There are many possible explanations for the popularity of franchises in the sandwich industry. Franchises like ours have well-established brand names, which franchisees know are more likely to attract customers than independent restaurants. Furthermore, Blimpie provides franchisees with comprehensive training, helping newcomers stake their claim in the sub sandwich industry.
The Popularity of Quick-Service Restaurants
Blimpie’s fits right in with the quick-service restaurant trend that’s continuing to take the United States (and the world!) by storm. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Patrick McLaughlin explains:
“Over the last decade and a half, the number of quick-service restaurants operating in the United States grew by nearly 20 percent—from roughly 285,000 establishments in 2000 to over 340,000 in 2015. A recent ERS examination of changes in the U.S. food service industry found quick-service restaurants—eating places where food is ordered and paid for at a counter—even grew in number during the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to June 2009.”
Furthermore, quick-service restaurant growth is outpacing sit-down restaurant growth across the board. Why this growing popularity? It’s no secret that Americans value convenience. Being busy with career and family obligations, many people just don’t have the time to dedicate to preparing every meal on their own. Quick-service restaurants like Blimpie allow them to access a quick meal on-the-go, often for a great price. However, as we demonstrated above, Americans also value their health. Many quick-service restaurants for customers to choose between wholesome ingredients and the convenience they need, but Blimpie customers can have it all. Opening a Blimpie franchise allows you to provide your community with valuable access to fresh food, on-the-go, for a great price.
We Stay on Top of Sandwich Industry Trends
One of the most significant benefits of partnering with Blimpie is that you can count on us to stay on top of industry trends for you. As consumer tastes change, we want our menu to address their new favorites. When you open a Blimpie franchise, you can count on our Research and Development team to regularly create new and exciting products conduct to keep your restaurant on top of changing industry trends.
We’re Dedicated to Our Franchisees
One of the most important things you should know about Blimpie is that we’re dedicated to helping our franchisees build strong businesses. While no new business comes with a guarantee of success, our experts can help guide our franchisees through the process of opening and operating their new business – helping franchisees to avoid many of the pitfalls faced by independent owners. Our time-tested business model has been carefully refined over decades and allows our franchisees to run their restaurants with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, we’ve developed strong relationships with a number of third parties (like vendors and real estate experts) who can help our franchisees get great prices on the things they need to run their business. Our expertise and connections in the industry are just two of the valuable resources Blimpie offers our franchisees to help them start their business off right.
FRANCHISING INQUIRY!
Please complete the following form to receive more information about franchising.
If you are a service provider or real estate representative, please email franchising@kahalamgmt.com
If you live outside U.S., please contact our International Team for more information.
Interested in joining the team at your local Blimpie? See the Employment page to learn how to apply.