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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops

Gourmet sandwiches

Background

Founded: 1983 Franchising since: 1993
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.
2212 Fox Dr.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Phone:
(800)546-6904


Franchisor is a privately-held company with 90 employee(s); 25 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 871 0 0 20
2008 701 0 0 20
2007 559 0 0 20
2006 404 0 0 18
2005 305 0 0 16

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. 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, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $304.5K-420.5K
Franchise fee: $35K
Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee No Yes
Startup Costs No Yes
Equipment No Yes
Inventory No No
Accounts Receivable No No
Payroll No Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $300K
Cash liquidity requirement: $80K
Business Experience:
  • General business experience

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.

Training and Support

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

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#53 (2009); #57 (2008); #58 (2007); #85 (2006); #90 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2007;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#23 (2009); #29 (2008); #38 (2007); #65 (2006); #61 (2005);