Cornell Briggs Jr. was born in Columbia. He grew up in a military family, moving frequently due to his father’s service in the US Air Force. Despite the challenges of constantly changing environments, Briggs developed a strong work ethic and a passion for making a difference in his community.
After graduating from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Briggs earned a football scholarship at Shaw University before transferring to Winston Salem State University. He majored in economics and minored in finance. He was deeply involved in campus life, even serving as the president of the university’s Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Chapter.
Briggs left school early and got a job working as a stockbroker in New York City. He worked in New York for several years before returning to North Carolina to finish his education. He then worked as a financial adviser in New York City.
By this point, Briggs was married and thinking about starting a family. Although he liked working in New York, he quickly realized that it was not a good environment to raise a family.
“You could see eight-year-olds acting like they are 35,” Briggs said. “There is too much to get into. And houses that cost $2 million up there, I could get for $80,000 to $90,000 down here.”
Briggs earned a law degree from a school in New Jersey and moved back to South Carolina. He also decided to earn a Master of Science Degree in Economics at Winston-Salem State.
To support his family during his academic pursuits, Briggs purchased three Subway franchises across the Midlands – one located in Newberry County, one located in Lexington County on Lake Murray Boulevard, and one located in Richland County at the corner of Harden and Taylor streets.
“I always liked Subway,” Briggs says. “I spent a lot of money at Subways in New York. I wondered what it would be like if I actually brought one.”
Using his finance background, Briggs did extensive research into the economics of the Subway franchise.
“I did some quantitative studies into it,” he recalled. “One, it is still the number one restaurant. Two was the income ratio. Three, the product has been around for so long that it sells itself. Four was the camaraderie and family-oriented environment. And finally, just to make money. So I figured that if I can have a part of the number one fast food place, I should be making some money. I looked at the combo reports, the financials — everything. There isn’t a lot required from me as far as work. It is mostly managing and maintaining.”
Brigg’s father and uncle attended church with a man who owned multiple Subways. He purchased the Newberry location in 2020 and the others in 2021.
“The main thing that attracted me (to Subway) was the flexibility,” Briggs said. “It provided the income and the stability to take care my family and while I was finishing my PhD.”
The decision to invest in Subway franchises was not merely a business venture for Briggs, but a strategic choice driven by a desire to serve his community. Recognizing the importance of access to healthy food options, especially in underserved areas, Briggs strategically purchased Subway restaurants in neighborhoods where healthy, nutritious choices were limited. His commitment to community health and empowerment shines through in initiatives like offering discounts to students, first responders, and military personnel.
Beyond his role as a Subway franchise owner, Briggs has diversified his entrepreneurial endeavors. He established Brother’s Keeper Transport, a truck delivery service handling everything from paint deliveries to Amazon shipments. Additionally, he ventured into the world of online retailing with K&S Kix, a kid’s clothing store specializing in trendy footwear.
K&S Kix, named after his daughters, was another instance of Briggs pursuing a passion. He was always a self-proclaimed “sneakerhead.” One day, he was wearing a rare pair of sneakers when a guy approached him.
“The guy said he couldn’t find those shoes anywhere, and offered me $2000 for them. I had sources, and I got them for $200. The guy pulled out his cash, and I hopped out those shoes so fast. I called my wife and told her ‘Babe, I just made $2000’,” he recalled.
Since he had sources to get rare shoes and clothing at wholesale prices, and the fact that his teenage daughter loves fashion, Briggs figured that this was a great opportunity to launch a business that they could run together.
“We started buying shoes and it kind of took off,” Briggs said. “We started by getting a group of customers who won’t go anywhere else. They call and say ‘Hey, can you get these? How much?’ It’s usually way cheaper than what they were trying to pay.”
As Briggs balances his entrepreneurial pursuits with academic research, he remains focused on leaving a lasting impact
on future generations. He is currently finishing his PhD dissertation, which examines how predominately white institutions can support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His research reflects his commitment to advancing educational equity and economic empowerment.
Briggs hopes to complete his dissertation and PhD program in a few months. He plans to sell the Newberry Subway location and concentrate on his other businesses.
His long-term goal is to retire in Hawaii when his kids are old enough to take over all of his businesses.
For now, he continues to inspire others to dream big and make a difference wherever they go.
Brigg’s Subway restaurants are open 11 a.m. – 9 \mathrm { p. m } . They will be open 1 0 \mathrm { a. m. } – 6 p.m. during the summer. Each restaurant offers catering services, and delivery within a 15-mile radius. The restaurant can be reached at (803) 212- 1470.
