A Subway restaurant in Richmond has both a fresh new look and an inspiring owner.
The sandwich restaurant at 15501 San Pablo Ave. is holding a two-day grand opening celebration this weekend.
It’s the first Richmond-area Subway to receive this remodel. The new design and décor includes options to dine in or grab food on the go, free WiFi and USB ports, digital menu boards, modernized work spaces, new open vegetable displays and even some new menu options, including Subway Sliders, which are sandwiches smaller than six-inch subs for under $2.
This weekend, the eatery is holding grand opening events that includes deals on meals and family fun. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, families are invited to enjoy face-painting, carnival games and giveaways at the store.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Richmond Chamber of Commerce President James Lee and Uche Uwahemu, senior field representative for Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, welcomed the new Subway look.
“This is awesome, the look is fresh,” said Lee. “And this is a really well-trafficked street, so it’s really good for us.” He commended a restaurant that offers health choices for Richmond residents.
As much as welcoming a new look, Richmond is welcoming an entrepreneur with a fascinating backstory.
Kiesha Haggerty, a Vallejo resident and the franchise owner of the Richmond restaurant, is a 20-year police officer for the Oakland Police Department, where she travels about the city seeking out surveillance footage that can solve crimes. While out on the job and needing a bite, Haggery says she’s regularly turned to Subway as a fast, affordable and healthy option. At one point, she said, she grew the nerve to apply online to own her own store. She went through extensive classroom and on-the-job training under Subway’s guidance. Her move to Richmond is an expansion from the restaurant in Pinole she opened in 2017. She plans to open more restaurants. The Oakland native, who was raised low-income, said she feels blessed to be in this position to follow her dreams.
But Haggerty doesn’t plan to stop being a cop. While she’s helping to solve crimes in Oakland, her brother Adrian Walker holds watch of the Richmond store. He’s developed quite a fan base among customers.
“Helping individuals like Kiesha open their own Subway franchise restaurants is what makes this business so rewarding,” said Akki Patel, CEO of Letap Group, which owns 60 franchise restaurants and represents 900 restaurants as a local franchisor for Subway in major markets throughout northern California and Reno. “Her story is so inspiring and we’re grateful to be working with her every step of the way.”
Haggerty said she’s enjoying the Richmond community.
“Everybody here has been just terrific,” Haggerty said. “We have a really solid customer base. I think the community is excited. This is another healthy option. A welcome addition that also brings good vibes.”
On behalf of Assemblymember Wicks, Uwahemu presented Haggerty with an Assembly Certificate of Recognition for her success as a business owner.
“We welcome small business owners,” Uwahemu said. “They make our community stronger. They make our community better.”
