Senior Vice President of Marketing Fosters Sub Franchise’s Growth through Innovative Campaigns to Engage Customers
Jane McPherson, Penn Station East Coast Subs senior vice president, is building upon the franchise’s legacy while introducing new campaigns to engage customers. “Penn Station has an incredible legacy — with our grilled-to-order cheese steak, classic cold subs, hand-cut fries and incredibly loyal following — and yet there’s such an exciting opportunity to modernize and grow the brand,” McPherson said. “When I was approached about the head of marketing role, I was immediately drawn to the quality of the product and the potential to elevate the brand’s visibility. The leadership team’s passion, the success of the franchise owners and the brand’s authenticity made it a natural fit for me.”
McPherson’s extensive franchise marketing career spans three decades with restaurant franchisors including Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Quiznos and Famous Brands International.
Seeing growth driven by new ways of engaging customers is exciting, she said. “This involves bringing fresh eyes to creative, menu, customer relationship management, marketing tech stack, media, research and data strategy. We’re building on a strong foundation, and I’m thrilled to shape the next chapter with bold, relevant campaigns that resonate with today’s guests while still honoring what fans already love.”
COO Craig Dunaway said McPherson has leveraged her experience in the sandwich category to make significant contributions as a member of the sub franchise’s leadership team. “Her arrival underscored Penn Station’s commitment to investing in top talent and innovative marketing to support our franchise system. Under Jane’s leadership, we’re able to expand our footprint while maintaining the high standards that our franchise owners and customers have come to expect,” Dunaway said.
Passion for Restaurant Franchising
McPherson said the restaurant industry’s fast pace, entrepreneurial spirit and community focus align with how she likes to work. “It’s also incredibly dynamic, which keeps things interesting. For Penn Station, staying competitive means leaning into what we do best while evolving how we communicate and deliver that experience. That means investing in digital tools, reimagining our marketing and supporting franchisees with scalable, modern strategies.”
One strategy McPherson utilizes involves pop culture. ”Whether it’s the latest streaming series, meme trend or viral moment, I find pop culture to be incredibly entertaining,” she said. “But beyond the fun, I also see pop culture as a powerful lens into what people care about and how they communicate. I love watching how those trends influence behavior and make their way into marketing. At Penn Station, I tap into that energy and insight to help shape messaging and campaigns that feel relevant, relatable and resonant with our guests.”
About Penn Coast East Coast Subs
Founded in 1985 by Jeff Osterfeld, Penn Station East Coast Subs is known for its hot and cold subs, fresh-cut fries and freshly squeezed lemonade. Penn Station has grown to more than 320 locations across the U.S.
