Florida friends build successful sub empire and take Instagram by storm

TAMPA (BLOOM) – When three high school buddies from Boca Raton, Florida, decided to venture into the food business, little did they know that their passion for subs would lead to the creation of Gateway Subs .

Founded by Grant Strayer, Brandon Ruditz, and Morgan Zook, Gateway Subs has rapidly grown from its first location in downtown St. Petersburg in November 2021 to multiple locations across Tampa Bay, including their newest opening in Channelside.

The Origin Story

Grant, Brandon, and Morgan were united by their love for high-quality northeast-style subs, a staple in their hometown of Boca Raton. After pursuing different paths in college, the trio reunited during the COVID-19 pandemic, determined to fill the void of quality sub shops in the Tampa Bay area. With Grant’s business acumen, Brandon’s discipline from his Division 1 lacrosse experience, and Morgan’s entrepreneurial spirit, they opened their first location, marking the beginning of their exciting journey.

We realized there was a void of quality sub shops outside of Boca Raton and decided to bring our passion for high-quality northeast-style subs to Tampa Bay.

Morgan Zook

The Expansion

Our growth is fueled by a commitment to quality and community. We don’t just serve sandwiches; we create opportunities and build a supportive environment.

Zook

The rapid growth of Gateway Subs can be attributed to their unwavering commitment to quality and community. Overcoming initial challenges, such as hiring the right team members, they have built a brand that not only serves delicious subs but also fosters a supportive and caring environment for both customers and employees. Their approach to creating opportunities for team members has attracted top talent in the restaurant industry, further fueling their expansion.

The Subs and the Experience

My girlfriend and I visited the 4th Street location in St. Petersburg to meet Morgan. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the mouth-watering aroma of fresh ingredients and delicious subs being prepared. The atmosphere was inviting, and the team was incredibly friendly, making us feel right at home.

Morgan gave us a small tour and highlighted the fresh slicing of all their sandwich meats and their diverse menu. The menu included a mix of classic favorites and unique creations, some of which I’ll share below. Morgan explained that a special gimmick of theirs is adding crushed potato chips to some of their sandwiches—a nostalgic touch from their childhood.

For our meal, I opted for the Looney Tuna, a deli classic I always enjoy, and their Ultimate Italian. Morgan recommended adding salt and vinegar chips to the Italian, and I couldn’t resist trying it. My girlfriend chose the Brycer and Da Beast. The bread was exceptional—soft, fresh, and perfectly complementing the high-quality ingredients inside. Each bite was a treat, thanks to their meticulous preparation and fresh ingredients. The bread is delivered fresh daily and it shines through.

Morgan shared that they strive to make as many ingredients in-house as possible, like their bison meatballs and homemade cookies. With plans to make more in store as they continue to grow. Speaking of cookies, we tried their freshly baked ones, which were soft and chewy in the middle with a light crunch on the outside—just perfect. However, I did wish they had sugar cookies on the menu.

Here are a few standout items from their menu:

• Cool Ranch Rider : Buffalo chicken breast, bacon, mayo, provolone, lettuce, onion, hot peppers, crushed Cool Ranch Doritos, Hanky’s hot honey & H’s hot garlic buffalo.
• Ultimate Italian : Salami, pepperoni, hot capicola, ham, mayo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, black olives, banana peppers, sub sauce.
• Brycer : Buffalo chicken salad, buffalo chicken breast, mayo, provolone, lettuce, onion, sweet peppers, hot peppers, crushed jalapeno chips, B’s spicy ranch.

The reasonable prices and the welcoming, community-focused approach make Gateway Subs a must-visit for anyone in the area. Whether you’re a fan of classic subs or looking for something with a unique twist, Gateway Subs has something to satisfy every craving.

We want every bite to remind you of childhood, which is why we add crushed potato chips to some of our subs. It’s all about having fun with your food.

Zook

The Social Media Magic

Gateway Subs’ success isn’t just confined to their physical locations. Their innovative and funny social media strategy has played a crucial role in building their brand. By creating content that resonates emotionally with potential customers and collaborating with local businesses, they have cultivated a loyal online following that loves to share and engage with their posts. The Gen Z marketing tactics have been very successful for them.

Our social media strategy is about connecting emotionally with our audience through humor and collaboration with local businesses. It’s all about community.

Zook

Behind the Scenes

During our interview with Morgan, he shared their philosophy of treating people with care and compassion. This ethos is evident in every aspect of their business, from the friendly interactions with customers to the meticulous preparation of each sub. The founders’ passion for their craft and their community shines through in their daily operations, creating a positive and inviting atmosphere. With so many locations to oversee, it was good to see how well oiled the team at this location was. It’s easy to assume all locations share the same qualities.

Treating people with care and compassion is at the heart of what we do. From our staff to our customers, everyone is part of the Gateway Subs family.

Zook

Looking Ahead

The future looks bright for Gateway Subs. With plans to vertically integrate their ingredients and further expand in Tampa Bay and beyond, they are committed to enhancing the Gateway experience. Their dedication to increasing product quality and maintaining their unique customer experience ensures that they will continue to serve smiles, one sandwich at a time.

Gateway Subs is more than just a sub shop. Our visit confirmed that their journey from a high school dream to a successful business is a story worth sharing. We encourage everyone to visit Gateway Subs, follow their exciting journey on Instagram, and experience their delicious subs for themselves.

Follow Gateway Subs on Instagram, visit their locations, and come back often for more updates and features from Bloom Tampa Bay.

Stay Connected and Share Your Tips!

If you enjoyed reading about Gateway Subs and want to discover more hidden gems and culinary delights around Tampa Bay, be sure to follow me on Instagram. You’ll get behind-the-scenes looks at my food adventures, exclusive previews of upcoming features, and much more.

Have a favorite spot you think I should check out next? Drop me a DM or tag me in your food recommendations. I’m always on the lookout for the next great bite, and I’d love to hear from you!

Stay tuned for more delicious discoveries, and thank you for joining me on this tasty journey!

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