#22
At a Glance
Products & Services: Gourmet sandwiches
Number of Locations: 1,228
Total Investment: $305.5K - 485.5K
Founded: 1983
Began Franchising: 1993
Private Owned
About Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops
James J. Liautaud founded Jimmy John's in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983 when he was 19 years old. With used equipment, a refrigerator, one meat slicer, a freezer and an oven, Jimmy John Liautaud started his business without even a posted menu or an outdoor sign. At the time, he offered four sandwich varieties and 25-cent soft drinks. After passing out sandwich samples throughout the college town, Liautuad added delivery service, tables, outdoor signs, menu boards and an expanded menu. He opened several more stores and developed a prototype before franchising began in 1993. Jimmy John's franchisees bake bread at each store every day, and every sandwich is made fresh to order in 30 seconds.Franchise Units
| Year | U.S. | Canadian | International | Company Owned |
| 2011 | 1,202 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2010 | 1,020 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 2009 | 871 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 2008 | 701 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the following states:
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Midwest, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming.
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Midwest, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming.
Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $305,500 - $485,500
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $300,000
Liquid Cash Available: $80,000
Operations
50% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed..| Financing Type | In-House | Third Party |
| Franchise Fee | ||
| Startup Costs | ||
| Equipment | ||
| Inventory | ||
| Accounts Receivable | ||
| Payroll |
How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: 7 weeks for general managers; 3 weeks for assistant managers
Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations,
Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising,