The 54-year-old brand has opened its first international restaurant at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay through a partnership with Navy Exchange Service Command.
- Port of Subs opens at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay.
- This is the first international Port of Subs location.
- Collaboration with Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM).
- Serves sailors, families, and civilian personnel.
- Military veterans in leadership emphasize community service.
Port of Subs has opened its first international restaurant at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, marking a significant milestone for the 54-year-old sandwich brand. The location, which began serving customers on September 30, 2026, is also the company’s first restaurant on a U.S. military installation and its first opening through a partnership with Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). The move takes the Nevada-founded brand into a new type of operating environment beyond its established U.S. market.
The restaurant is located near the entrance to the Navy Exchange and serves sailors, their families, installation leadership and civilian personnel. Its menu includes the freshly sliced sandwiches, salads and wraps that have defined the brand since 1972. For Port of Subs, the opening creates an opportunity to serve a community whose daily needs the Navy’s exchange network supports.
Healey Mendicino, President and CEO of Port of Subs, described the opening as a proud moment in the company’s history and said serving the military community was an honor. He also thanked NEXCOM and base leadership for helping bring the restaurant to the installation. NEXCOM provides goods and services to Navy personnel and their families, while reinvesting its earnings into quality-of-life programs for the Navy community.
The opening also has a personal connection for the brand’s ownership. Dave Liniger, Chairman of Area 15 Ventures, and Adam Contos, Managing Partner, are both military veterans. Their backgrounds add significance to the milestone as Port of Subs begins serving a community closely connected to military life. The company has more than 120 locations across the United States, making the Guantánamo Bay restaurant a notable extension of its existing footprint.
The opening highlights the potential for franchise brands to reach customers through non-traditional venues, including military installations and other institutional settings. These locations can introduce a brand to communities beyond the reach of conventional storefronts, although each opportunity comes with its own operating requirements. The News, Articles and Blog Posts feature available through Gorilla Dash can help franchise networks communicate openings, share company milestones and keep their teams informed as their businesses develop. For Port of Subs, the Guantánamo Bay location marks a distinctive new chapter in its expansion.
Key Facts:
| Historic Opening | Port of Subs opens first location at U.S. military base and first international venue at Guantánamo Bay. |
|---|---|
| NEXCOM Partnership | First restaurant opened through partnership with Navy Exchange Service Command. |
| Leadership Contributions | Led by President Healey Mendicino, with contributions by military veterans Dave Liniger and Adam Contos. |
| Menu Offerings | Offers freshly sliced sandwiches, salads, and wraps to military and civilian personnel. |
| Community Commitment | Emphasizes serving those who serve, aligning with NEXCOM's mission. |
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