Queen Creek entrepreneurial couple Shane and Kirstin Shaw have signed a regional development agreement with Port of Subs to develop 10 locations across the Valley over the next several years.
Known for its premium meats and cheeses, 50-year-old Port of Subs offers customizable and made-to-order menu offerings. A hallmark of the West Coast, the brand's mission is to become every guest's favorite neighborhood sandwich shop.
The Shaws bring a wealth of experience across several roles, including sales, management and restaurant operations, making them the ideal candidates to bring Port of Subs to even more communities in the Valley than ever before, according to Port of Subs officials.
The dive into franchising has been a long time in the making for the local couple, who said they were waiting for the perfect concept to begin their entrepreneurial journey.
“We live near an existing Port of Subs location, and quickly became frequent customers because of how fresh and customized the sandwiches are,” said Kirstin Shaw. “After meeting with the team and learning about the opportunity, Port of Subs truly turned into everything we’d been looking for. As we began searching for business opportunities, we knew we wanted a concept where we not only loved the product but also resonated with the culture. Port of Subs was just that, and we’re eager to begin our journey.”
With site selection currently underway, the Shaws are aiming to open their first Port of Subs location by the beginning of 2025. They said Port of Subs is the perfect fit for any bustling community and that their first location will be near a local hospital, tech hubs, hotels and multi-family housing. Additional locations will be in Queen Creek, Mesa and other surrounding East Valley areas.
The husband and wife duo are also bringing a touch of community giveback to their hometown.
“We are really looking forward to working with and giving back to our community,” Kirstin noted. “We want to give back to those who need it most, from local shelters to helping our foster community or working with schools – we can’t wait to be more involved.”
Healey Mendicino, president of Port of Subs, said that “2024 has quickly become a banner year with our regional development program in place. Operators who are passionate about the product we serve and making an impact on their community are exactly the people we want to continue to grow this brand, and Shane and Kirstin truly match that profile.”
For more information on becoming a Port of Subs regional developer or franchisee, contact franchisesales@
