How it started
The business was founded in 1975 by Andy Cotton and John Meddaugh, two friends who opened the business with only $2,500 to their names and a dream to sell submarine sandwiches.
Current co-owner Mike Haggerty said Cotton grew up eating submarines in Chicago, while Meddaugh was introduced to them in Albany, New York.
“They thought Austin needed a sub shop,” Haggerty said. “I think they were just naive enough to think they could make it happen and they did.”
The company’s first location opened on Lavaca St. near the University of Texas at Austin campus. Co-owner Patty Sughrue said Thundercloud Subs was off to a slow start with its flagship location: in the company's first two days, they only brought in one customer—an 11-year-old boy.
Undeterred, Cotton and Meddaugh took turns doing the hard work to get the business up and running.
“They used to alternate who’d hold the sandwich board out front walking up and down the street,” Sughrue said. “They’d run up to UT five or eight blocks up the road and deliver to the dorms up there.”
As their clientele steadily grew, the duo opened their second location on Riverside and Congress and from there the company was on an upward trajectory.
In 1989 the company decided to pursue franchising opportunities, and Haggerty transitioned from a loyal customer to the go-to person for franchising.
During its run of franchising, Thundercloud Subs opened 24 locations across the state of Texas and in neighboring states. But Haggerty realized that franchising wasn’t working long term as the team wasn’t able to oversee all locations and recreate the charm instilled in the Austin locations everywhere else.
Haggerty said the internal operations have shifted throughout the years, from changing their bread provider to ending franchising opportunities in 1999. However, the company has stayed true to its old Austin character by letting the employees of each individual branch set the tone and atmosphere for their shops.
“It was a quirky set of employees to begin with, and it has kind of snowballed and kept going,” Haggerty said. “They’re real people. We let them be who they are and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Sughrue said a large number of the company’s employees have stayed with the business for over 30 years, and new generations have joined the company to follow in their parents’ footsteps. She herself plays a part in this tradition, as her son, Paul Sughrue, Jr., now co-owns and manages a Thundercloud location of his own.
Customers can find a variety of traditional subs, including roast beef and meatball, and signature subs such as The Office Favorite, which is topped with egg salad and bacon. Salads, soups, gluten-free options and smoothies can also be found on the menu.
What else?
The company has given back to the community in different ways, such as hosting its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot which benefits Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit which offers services to prevent and end homelessness.
“I think we'd all agree we've been successful beyond our wildest dreams and have had a real commitment to trying to be as giving as we can be to the community,” Haggerty said.
- Locations vary
- www.thundercloud.com
