RENO, Nev. – Area 15 Ventures, LLC, a private equity firm based in Castle Rock, Colorado, announced today that it acquired the iconic 50-year-old sandwich brand, Port of Subs. This acquisition marks a new path for Port of Subs, a brand that has remained a neighborhood favorite since its inception in 1972.
 
Dave Liniger, Co-Founder and Chairman of global franchise powerhouse RE/MAX, is leading this investment. Under the guidance of Liniger, Area 15 Ventures invests in various franchise concepts such as Daddy’s Chicken Shack, an emerging brand that is now has a dozen regional developers in place and 150 units in development, thanks to his real estate and investment expertise.
 
“Port of Subs is a welcomed addition to the Area 15 Ventures portfolio, and there is no doubt that this is a concept equipped for broadscale growth,” said Liniger. “When seeking out new concepts to add to our roster, we do our due diligence in confirming the brand has the potential to grow on a global scale, thrive in today’s competitive QSR market and above all, has the highest quality product that aligns directly with what consumers are looking for. That’s exactly what we’ve found with Port of Subs. The brand’s legacy, values and rock-solid business model provide a wealth of potential, and we’re thrilled to have found an established brand with so much growth on the horizon.”
 
As “your neighborhood sandwich shop”, Port of Subs has been bringing people together since its early days. The story began when two brothers from New Jersey opened a modest submarine shop in Sparks, Nevada called the “Sub Shop”. Since John Larsen and his family bought the company in 1975, Port of Subs has become known for its mission to serve quality products through superior service by friendly, qualified people in a clean, appealing atmosphere. The made-fresh-to-order sandwiches are prepared while customers eagerly look on. The unique taste comes from freshly sliced, top-quality meats and cheeses, freshly baked breads, and zesty dressings and spices.
 
With 50 years of brand recognition under its belt and over 130 open locations in seven western states, Port of Subs is looking toward a bright future with the former real estate mogul. Now poised for extensive growth while maintaining its high-quality, customizable sandwiches and impeccable service, the sub concept is already making progress with new franchise models and growth tactics in place. Port of Subs will be rapidly expanding using a regional developer model. Over 40 key markets have been identified, and existing markets will be strengthened with individual and multi-unit franchise locations. The company anticipates awarding up to 50 regions for development over the next twelve months. 
 
“This is definitely an exciting time for Port of Subs, and I couldn’t feel more secure putting the brand in the hands of an esteemed group like Area 15 Ventures,” said John Larsen, the now former CEO of Port of Subs. “Over the years, our franchisees have become truly celebrated in each community we serve because of our high-quality and customizable menu, and with that, we’ve been able to capture an amazing following. It’s impressive to see those efforts recognized by someone with such a strong legacy of entrepreneurship like Dave Liniger. I look forward to seeing Dave and the rest of Area 15 Ventures team drive the brand even farther, and bring Port of Subs to more neighborhoods than ever before.”
 
Coinciding with the acquisition, Port of Subs is welcoming new additions to its executive leadership team. Adam Contos, RE/MAX Holdings’ most recent CEO, will be joining Port of Subs as the brand’s newest CEO. Contos has been with Area 15 Ventures since early 2022, is a Board Director with the International Franchise Association, has two decades of franchise leadership experience, and is now taking a more integrated role within Port of Subs. Additionally, Port of Sub’s former Executive Vice President, Healey Mendicino, will now serve as the President of the brand, leading with a capable and community-focused style.
 
As Port of Subs looks to grow under new ownership, the brand is seeking qualified franchise partners who are well-capitalized and have a history within the restaurant industry. For more information on the Port of Subs franchise opportunity, visit portofsubs.com/franchising-request-info/
 
About Port of Subs®
Customers have been enjoying the great taste of Port of Subs sandwiches for over 50 years. The Port of Subs brand has become synonymous with quality sandwich making and superior customer service. Known for its premium meats and cheeses, Port of Subs carries a large emphasis on its completely customizable and made-to-order menu offerings, a hallmark of the brand’s mission to become every guest’s favorite neighborhood sandwich shop. For more information, please visit www.portofsubs.com.
 
About Area 15 Ventures, LLC
Area 15 Ventures is a Colorado-based private equity business owned by the Liniger family and highly skilled friends and employees. The private ownership allows for quick decisions and providing personal support and development. The focus is on emerging franchisors and high growth businesses that require an investment to scale their opportunity to the next level and benefit from the team’s experience in franchising both RE/MAX and Motto Mortgage. The Area 15 Ventures team bring vast experience in business development, marketing, franchise sales, Zee/Zor relationships, training and international expansion.  For more information, please visit www.area15ventures.com

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