Business: Subway
More Top Picks Best Dollhouses For Girls
Address: 931 E. Ogden Ave. and 1550 N. Route 59, Naperville
Phone, website: 630-717-0070, www.subway.com/en-us
Owners: Adhir and Shrishti Wahi
Number of years in business: 2015
What was the impetus for opening your stores? Adhir Wahi’s father, Atul, started opening Subway franchises in 2005, opening his first at Route 59 and Ogden Avenue in Naperville and expanding to two others in Naperville and one in Aurora. Adhir Wahi followed suit, working with his father after he graduated from Southern Illinois University and opening two stores on his own in Naperville.
What’s the best thing about being in Naperville? “Our first store was in Naperville, so it became our home,” Adhir Wahi said. “Our first opportunity was here. The reason I didn’t want to venture out of Naperville is because it makes it easier to go from store to store, to operate. I did look at other places, I had opportunities, but my heart is here in Naperville. I love the people, just the atmosphere. Downtown Naperville is beautiful.”
What is the biggest challenge about being in Naperville? “The rents in Naperville are very high because it’s a great city, and the demographics (make) up for it.”
When is your busiest time of year? “Summertime. Kids are out of school, parents need something quick and easy. Lunchtime. Dinnertime.”
What is the most popular thing you sell you? “Turkey. I would say 6-inch turkey on wheat. Because we are Subway, everyone thinks of us as having fresh food, a healthy, alternative fast food.”
What is a less popular thing you would recommend? “Our new item is our new type of chicken. It’s called a rotisserie-style chicken, and it’s such a good product. Once people try it, they fall in love with it and that’s the only chicken they get.”
What is the thing you most like to do as part of your business? “My favorite thing is interacting with customers. Every single day is different, every single customer is different.”
What is the best thing about owning your own business? “I’ve been with Subway for over 10 years. You know, I know everything from being a sandwich artist to becoming a shift leader to becoming an assistant manager to manager, district manager, and now I’m a franchisee. I worked my way up, and now I’m a multi-unit franchisee.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “People want things ready before they even come in. But our thing is that we can customize any sandwich any way you want. Every single customer is different so it’s freshly made to order. … Our new app and our new model of business is going to be very quick (so people can get their food more quickly). People are going to be able to order through their phones, pick up at the stores.”
How would you describe your business philosophy? “I focus on three things: having great customer service, having clean restaurants and (ensuring the) freshness of products. As long as you have those three things, you will never fail at business.”
If you weren’t doing this, what line of work would you be in? “I’d be a race car driver. That’s my dream.”
Do you have any future plans to expand? “I’m looking to expand a little more where the opportunities are. And just trying to diversify a little too. I’m also pandering a little in automotive engineering. My passion is vehicles. I have a motorcycle, I have a Slingshot. I like performance and like modifying vehicles as well. So I’m tinkering in that too. I’m 30 years old. I have my businesses in place that are doing well. We only have one life to live.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about opening a store or starting a business? “I would say it takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort. Our business is very customer-based. No. 1, you need to know how to deal with customers. No. 2, you need to know how to manage people.”
Tell us about the Polar Plunge you did. “Subway is really good about participating in events for charity and to support communities. This is the first time I did (the Polar Plunge). Special Olympics of Illinois is a great organization. People asked if I know someone in Special Olympics to participate. I don’t think you need a reason or someone in your life to make you want to participate. If you want to support a cause, you should. … Subway, I think, raised over $16,000. I raised $250. And, yes, I will do it next year again, and I will make my wife do it too. I try to do a good deed every day. Even if it’s just picking up someone else’s trash from the street. If everybody would just do one good deed a day, it would be amazing.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
More Top Picks Best Vortex Inserts For Kettle Grills