Category: News

MILWAUKEE (January 23, 2022) – Cousins Subs®, alongside Milwaukee basketball star Bobby Portis Jr. and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, today announced a kid’s meal promotion in support of the 2023 PB&J Challenge. Now through the end of February, guests who purchase a kid’s meal at participating Cousins Subs locations in the Milwaukee and Fox Valley area will receive a limited-edition Bobby Portis headband. In addition, Cousins Subs will donate $0.50 for every kid’s meal sold during the promotional timeframe to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

The PB&J campaign strives to provide children with the fuel they need to achieve maximum potential in the classroom and on the playground.

According to a press release distributed by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, peanut butter is one of the most requested food items at shelters and pantries. This shelf-stable protein provides necessary nutrients for children and is great in a meal or snack.

In further support of the 2023 PB&J Challenge, Cousins Subs released a special limited-time-only PB&J kid’s meal – available at participating locations throughout the campaign.

“Cousins Subs was founded on its commitment to serve others and support the communities we call home,” said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs. “We are proud to partner with Bobby and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin in support of the PB&J Challenge. Bobby a staple in the community and we’re thrilled to offer our guests the opportunity to give back in this way, while also rewarding them with an iconic Bobby headband in the process.”

Sandwich lovers can order their favorite kid’s meal in-store, at cousinssubs.com or through the Cousins Subs mobile app to participate. No promotional code is needed as all kid’s meal orders will automatically qualify for this promotion. In addition, Cousins Club members will receive one point for every dollar they spend on their delivery order.

Offer valid only at participating Milwaukee area and Fox Valley Cousins Subs locations. Headbands available while supplies last. Guests may purchase a headband in-store for the price of a kid’s meal.

MILWAUKEE (November 2, 2022) – Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs® and Green Bay football legend, Donald Driver, today announced a groundbreaking new partnership. For the first time in the brand’s 50-year history, Cousins Subs signed a joint venture agreement with Driver that serves as a monumental step in the brand’s expansion plans.

“Since establishing Cousins Subs 50 years ago, we have been very protective of our family-owned brand,” said Christine Specht, CEO at Cousins Subs. “We only partner with people who understand our mission and have the desire to help us grow. Donald truly embodies everything our brand stands for – his philanthropic heart, moral compass and positive outlook closely align with our values and make him a great addition to the family.”

Earlier this year, Cousins Subs announced its reinvestment in Wisconsin markets outside of Milwaukee – specifically in the Fox Valley area of northeastern Wisconsin. As part of the joint venture, Driver and Cousins Subs corporate will share ownership of six previously corporate-owned locations in the Fox Valley – two in Green Bay, Wis., two in Oshkosh, Wis., one in Appleton, Wis. and one in Neenah, Wis. All six stores will continue to operate under the Cousins Subs corporate operations team.

After spending more than 14 years in Green Bay throughout his football career, Cousins Subs is thrilled to work with Driver in his efforts to give back to the city and state he used to call home. Throughout the partnership, Driver will connect with these locations and the local community.

“From the time Cousins Subs first entered my life more than 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Driver said. “Delicious turkey sandwiches aside, I’ve always admired the amount of time and effort the brand dedicates to giving back to local communities. Wisconsin holds a special place in my heart and I’m excited for the opportunity to reconnect with the Fox Valley community with the help of this meaningful brand. It’s an honor to be welcomed into the family with open arms and I look forward to the impact we can make in Wisconsin and beyond, together.”

In addition to joint ownership of these locations, Driver and his likeness will help the Cousins Subs brand achieve its mission of believing in better through the continual improvement in everything it does by serving as a resource for future growth throughout Wisconsin, the Midwest, and more.

“This partnership is unlike anything we’ve ever done as a brand,” said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs. “Donald brings a fresh perspective to our team with his diverse background, Wisconsin roots, national recognition and overall passion for the brand. We’re thrilled to have Donald as part of our family and can’t wait to work together to grow the brand in Wisconsin and beyond.”

Guests are asked to round up their check to the nearest dollar in support of the Make It Better Foundation.

MILWAUKEE (October 4, 2022) – Cousins Subs® announced today the launch of its Round Up Campaign in support of the brand’s Make It Better Foundation that addresses the vital community needs of health and wellness, hunger and youth education.

Throughout the month of October, guests are encouraged to round up their in-store check to the nearest dollar in support of the Make It Better Foundation. When guests head online to purchase their meal on the Cousins Subs website or through the Cousins Subs mobile app, they can choose to add a $0.25 or $0.50 donation to their cart. Online patrons can add multiple quantities of each donation to their order to increase their charitable giving.

“The Round Up Campaign is an easy and affordable way for our guests to support their local community,” said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs. “We’re calling on Cousins Subs enthusiasts to join us in our effort to make our communities a better place by rounding up to the nearest dollar or adding a donation to their online order each time they enjoy a meal this month.”

Since the inception of the Make It Better Foundation in 2013, Cousins Subs has made a big difference for those in the communities it calls home in the following ways:

-Granted nearly $600,000 to more than 130 nonprofit organizations that improve health & wellness, youth education and hunger.

-Gifted $350,000 to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation and Starr Children’s Fund to fight cancer.

-Awarded a total of $250,000 in college scholarships to 41 high-school student athletes and 22 Cousins Subs crew members

-Donated more than $131,000 to Hunger Task Force and its affiliated pantries to fight food insecurity.

For more information about Cousins Subs and its Make It Better Foundation, visit www.cousinssubs.com/foundation.

Cousins Subs to break ground in Indianapolis”

INDIANAPOLIS (August 23, 2022) – Cousins Subs®, a Midwest sub sandwich chain with nearly 100 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, announced today its plan to expand corporately into Indianapolis with leases signed for two locations – 8545 Emerson Ave. in Claybrooke Commons and 10220 East Washington St.

The family-owned brand intends to open both signed locations in 2023 and intends to have five to seven locations in Indy over the next few years. With average unit volumes for drive thru stores surpassing $1 million, Cousins Subs is actively seeking additional drive thru locations throughout the Indianapolis area.

Cousins Subs believes in better through the continual improvement in everything it does, and the plan to expand to Indianapolis brings that belief to life. The brand currently has 50 franchise and 44 corporate-owned locations throughout Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area. In recent years, Cousins Subs invested heavily in the brand by nearly doubling its corporate-owned unit count with the conversion and buildout of new drive thru locations and new store design that continues to exceed expectations.

“With continued reinvestment in the brand, Cousins Subs saw 93% AUV growth from 2011 to 2021,” said Joe Ferguson, vice president of development at Cousins Subs. “In addition, Cousins Subs experienced positive comp sales growth each of the last eight years – including three quarters of comp sales growth in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The brand is thrilled to enter the Indianapolis market, featuring Cousins Subs’ full menu of deli fresh and grilled to order subs and made to order sides for dine in, drive-thru, pick-up, curbside and delivery. The new locations will also feature the brand’s signature “Milwaukee Sub Shop” look, complete with digital menu boards, natural wood, stone and metal accents, and décor that promotes Cousins Subs’ cuisine philosophy, rich history and commitment to its communities through its Make It Better Foundation.

Cousins Subs is confident in the brand’s ability to thrive in Indianapolis. “We want to enter this market with a successful, proven strategy that we as a company have invested in and fully stand behind,” Ferguson said. “Our brand has seen tremendous success and we can’t wait for the Indianapolis community to experience everything we have to offer.”

Cousins Subs story began 50 years ago in 1972 when Bill Specht and his cousin set out to bring their favorite sub sandwiches from Atlantic City, N.J. to their new hometown of Milwaukee. Since then, Cousins Subs has built a name for itself throughout the Midwest, by serving better subs on their famous bread baked daily and featuring only the highest quality meats, produce and sides sourced locally whenever possible. For more on the history of Cousins Subs, visit the brand’s 50th Anniversary Media Kit.

Cousins Subs is currently seeking development opportunities throughout Indianapolis. Interested parties with available land or end-cap drive thru units are encouraged to inquire by contacting Cousins Subs’ representative Andrew Demaree at Veritas Realty or emailing info@cousinssubs.com.