Submarina names Zeller prexy, CEOSubmarina names Zeller prexy, CEO

Lisa Jennings

SAN MARCOS Calif. Submarina California Subs has promoted Mimi Zeller, formerly president and chief operating officer, to the positions of president and chief executive, officials said this week.

Zeller, who joined the San Marcos, Calif.-based company in 2006, replaces outgoing chief executive Jeff Warfield, who is remaining with the company as an area developer in Riverside County, Calif.

The management shift follows an announcement earlier this year that the 65-unit, all-franchised sandwich chain received a “significant investment” from private-equity firm Kerensa Investment Fund 1 LLC. The amount of the investment was not disclosed, but Zeller at the time said the funding would be used for branding, advertising and local store marketing programs to help support the opening of 20 new stores this year. In 2008, 18 Submarina locations opened.

Prior to joining Submarina, Zeller began her franchising career 23 years ago at Domino’s Pizza Inc. She also previously served as senior vice president of operations for Mail Boxes Etc., overseeing 3,400 domestic franchisees.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].