Sandwich success

At the final Icons in Business of 2017, Cousins Subs President and CEO Christine Specht shared her leadership lessons learned leading this iconic family business. Cousins Subs began in 1972 when two cousins, Bill Specht and Jim Sheppard, set out to bring their favorite East Coast-style of sub sandwich to Milwaukee. Since then, the brand has grown to over 95 locations in Wisconsin. Bill retired from the company’s top executive role in 2015 to be succeeded by his daughter, Christine, who had been involved the family business in various roles throughout her career, including working in the restaurants as teenager and serving as the human resources manager. (For information on getting your event featured in the IB Gallery, email jason@ibmadison.com.)