Milwaukee City Wire

Cousins Subs has announced the promotion of Joe Ferguson to executive vice president. Ferguson, who has over 25 years of experience in real estate and franchise sales, has been with Cousins Subs for two decades. He joined the leadership team in 2011 and was elevated to his new position in late 2024.

In his expanded role, Ferguson will oversee IT and purchasing while leading franchise and corporate growth initiatives. His responsibilities include identifying new sites, negotiating deals, guiding the development team, managing franchise sales, real estate, design, and construction.

“Joe has been an invaluable part of our leadership team for more than a decade,” said Jason Westhoff, president and CFO at Cousins Subs. “His expertise and dedication have been instrumental in our continued growth, and his leadership will be key as we pursue new opportunities and innovations.”

Ferguson is also a key driver of Cousins Subs’ strategic development, leading store remodeling programs to uphold brand standards. “It’s an honor to continue growing with Cousins Subs and help lead the brand into the future,” said Ferguson. “We have exciting initiatives ahead, and I’m looking forward to working with our talented team to make it better for our guests, franchisees and communities.”

Ferguson holds a degree in real estate and finance from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Cousins Subs was established in 1972 by Bill Specht and his cousin. The company operates nearly 100 sub sandwich shops throughout Wisconsin and Indiana.

For more information about Cousins Subs, visit www.cousinssubs.com.