Jersey Mike’s Subs’ 55th anniversary year in 2011 was cause for celebration as the popular chain, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, opened its 500th restaurant, adding 69 new locations during the year, for record unit growth of 15 percent. In addition, in 2011, the company awarded contracts to open 216 restaurants in 76 territories, attracting multi-brand, multi-unit franchisees as well as providing expansion opportunities to existing franchise owners.
“Our 55th year has been full of milestones, from opening our 50th restaurant in the Los Angeles area to entering new markets including San Antonio, Philadelphia and Louisiana,” said Hoyt Jones, president, Jersey Mike’s. “While we’ve seen record growth this year, we remain focused on the right growth – finding franchise partners who are savvy business people and share our passion for serving the best subs in the industry and giving back to our local communities.”
In addition to awarding new territory to 33 existing franchise owners, Jersey Mike’s also joined forces with restaurant industry veterans such as Bryan Selden of the Lone Star Restaurant Group which operates 11 Great American Cookies, two Pretzel Times, six Wingstops, and six Smashburgers (out of a 20-store agreement) and Steve Rosenfield and Linda Nash who own and operate 100+ Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Restaurants throughout the country.
Jersey Mike’s will continue its steady growth in 2012, opening new units in 23 states including California, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Florida. Target markets for new franchisees include Seattle, New York, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Orlando and Tampa, Fla., Portland, Ore., New Jersey and Houston. The company will award territories to those who are passionate about the Jersey Mike’s brand including existing Jersey Mike’s franchisees, experienced multi-brand/multi-unit restaurant operators, experienced multi-unit QSR area managers and entrepreneurs with a track record of building successful businesses.
Jersey Mike’s wins best sub awards in virtually every market it enters. Fans crave their subs made Mike’s Way™ with onions, lettuce, tomatoes and a signature blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices. The company uses only private labeled meats and cheeses that are sliced fresh for each sub sandwich and piled high on in-store baked bread. Everything is quickly made to order for each customer, just the way the first subs were made at the original Jersey Mike’s more than 50 years ago. The Jersey Mike’s experience always includes its trademark neighborly banter served up by a high-energy Jersey Mike’s team.
CEO Peter Cancro started the company at age 17, before he was even legally able to slice a sub. The company remains committed to making a difference in the communities it serves. In 2011, locations throughout the country raised more than $2 million for worthy local charities and distributed more than 200,000 free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes.
Jersey Mike’s, a sub sandwich franchise with more than 600 stores open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike’s serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs. The company’s mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates. A store locator and franchise information for Jersey Mike’s can be found at www.jerseymikes.com.
