Planet Sub

Planet Sub began in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1979, when the original Yello Sub store opened. Founders Jeff Klusman and Sean Kelly built on its made from scratch approach, opening the first Planet Sub franchise location in Overland Park, Kansas, in 1998 and launching franchising operations in 2002 and 2003. The company is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, operates only in the United States, and has 42 units as of 2026, including 14 franchised locations and more than 80 stores in development. Owner Kelly Klusman leads the brand with Director of Franchising Ryan Joy and Director of Marketing Tyler Cordel. Planet Sub has been recognized by QSR Magazine as "One to Watch" and a "Top Franchise Deal." Franchise Business Review placed it among the "Best of the Best: Top 40 Food Franchises in America" based on franchisee satisfaction data. The concept centers on bread mixed, rolled, and baked from scratch in each location, daily sliced meats and cheeses, scratch made sauces, and more than 45 sandwich choices. For buyers considering the $23.6 billion U.S. sub sandwich market, the brand offers a long operating history and an active national expansion plan that warrant careful due diligence.

The U.S. sub sandwich franchise industry reached $23.6 billion in 2022 and grew 4.5 percent that year. The global full service restaurant market was estimated at $1.59 trillion to $1.65 trillion in 2025, with projected growth to approximately $2.05 trillion by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 2.6 percent. The U.S. full service segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5 percent from 2025 through 2035. Nearly 40 percent of consumers seek gluten free, vegan, and organic dining choices, supporting concepts built around fresh, minimally processed ingredients. Casual dining restaurants hold a 72 percent share of the full service restaurant market, supported by broad menus and flexible price points. AI driven menu recommendations, contactless payments, and delivery platform integration are becoming standard customer expectations. The sub sandwich category remains fragmented outside of one or two dominant national players, leaving room for regional and emerging brands with differentiated products and sound unit economics.

The Planet Sub franchise fee is $26,750. Total investment ranges from $78,000 to $300,000, depending on real estate condition, geographic market, existing build out, equipment, and initial inventory. The brand’s franchise disclosure materials have also cited an investment range of $182,500 to $447,000, which may reflect conversion scenarios or nontraditional sites that avoid significant build out costs. Qualifying military veterans receive a 20 percent franchise fee discount, reducing the fee to approximately $21,400. Applicants should plan for at least $100,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $300,000 to $350,000, depending on territory configuration and deal structure. The royalty is 5 percent of gross sales, and the advertising fund contribution is 1 percent to 3 percent of gross sales. Planet Sub is privately held and has no publicly traded parent company, so buyers should review the franchise disclosure document and request audited financial statements during due diligence. The cost structure places the concept in the accessible to mid tier range for fast casual restaurants.

Planet Sub stores generally occupy 1,600 to 2,500 square feet, require at least 25 feet of frontage and approximately 400 amp three phase electrical power, and use a preferred HVAC specification of one ton per 150 square feet. The brand favors residential and suburban locations with populations above 25,000 and median household incomes of at least $45,000. Lease terms call for 10 year initial terms with 5 year renewal options. Entry level employees can learn core operating skills in one to two days, with no cooking or complex culinary training required beyond bread making. Franchisees complete a 30 day hands on training program focused on producing the signature scratch made bread to standard before opening. The company calls its support structure a "Killer Support Network" and describes the team as accessible, practical, and available during opening and ongoing operations. Some locations offer craft beer on tap where licensing permits. A proprietary playing card order identification system routes orders to guests and adds a distinctive element to the store experience.

The broader U.S. sub sandwich franchise category generated $23.6 billion in 2022 and grew 4.5 percent that year, offering a reference point for market research. Planet Sub has grown to 42 units with more than 80 additional stores in development. Its Franchise Business Review ranking is based on franchisee satisfaction surveys. Prospective buyers should speak with existing franchisees, especially operators in comparable markets, and model conservative, base, and optimistic sales cases against the $78,000 to $300,000 investment range.

Planet Sub operated 14 corporate stores and 28 franchise locations in 2016 and reached 42 total units by 2026 while building a development pipeline of more than 80 stores. Its stated goal is to become one of the fastest growing fresh casual concepts in the United States. Target markets include Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, Des Moines, St. Louis, Phoenix, Tucson, Austin, Oklahoma City, Dallas, San Antonio, Omaha, Springfield, and Lincoln, with plans to enter Atlanta, Georgia, in the near term. The brand’s operating history dates to the 1979 founding of Yello Sub, supporting its claim of more than 30 years of consistent growth. Its product model includes scratch made bread, daily protein and sauce preparation, and more than 45 sandwich varieties. The menu also includes made to order salads, romaine lettuce wraps, soups, cookies, and craft beer at select locations. The company describes its culture as attracting employees with "authentic attitudes." Franchise Business Review recognition and the expanding development pipeline indicate activity in both franchise recruitment and retention under Kelly Klusman.

The intended franchisee is an owner operator with community roots, an interest in food quality, and the ability to lead a small team in a high throughput setting. Restaurant experience can help but is not mandatory. Organization, participation in the 30 day training program, and adherence to scratch made quality standards are more central requirements. Expansion is focused on the Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast, including Phoenix, Tucson, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Atlanta. Preferred sites are suburban and residential trade areas with populations above 25,000 and median household incomes of at least $45,000. The agreement structure provides 10 year initial lease terms with 5 year renewals. Planet Sub supports multi unit development as it works toward its more than 80 store pipeline. Opening timing depends mainly on site selection, permitting, and build out, with assistance from the brand’s support team.

Planet Sub combines a 45 year operating history with a scratch made product model, a $26,750 franchise fee, and a total investment range of $78,000 to $300,000. Buyers should weigh the Franchise Business Review satisfaction recognition, 5 percent royalty, unit growth, market conditions, and site specific economics rather than relying on industry growth alone. The U.S. sub sandwich market was $23.6 billion in 2022, while the global full service restaurant market was estimated at $1.59 trillion to $1.65 trillion in 2025. PeerSense assigns the brand a Franchise Performance Index score of 38, rated Fair, reflecting its national expansion stage and current disclosure limits. PeerSense provides independent franchise research, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Scores, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for fast casual and sandwich concepts. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders, rather than a lender itself.