Retail vet gets second wind in restaurantsRetail vet gets second wind in restaurants

Steve Coomes

Bob Thomson’s mornings nearly always include 60 to 90 minutes of exercise sprinkled with one or all of the four Bs: Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and the Bible. Fitness is crucial to the 86-year-old Subway franchisee’s health, and he’s learned to distract himself from the monotony of his recumbent bike routine with music and inspiration.


“This morning I was listening to Brahms and Beethoven while reading Psalms,” said Thomson, who helps direct 22 Subway units from his home base of Charles City, Iowa. “Time really flies when I’m exercising, because I’m also reading on my iPad. I love that thing. If I ever failed at the restaurant business, I’m sure I could sell those.”


That’s a convenient proposition, seeing that selling is all he’s...