Jimmy John's is a franchised sandwich

Sandwich

A sandwich is a food item, typically consisting of two or more slices of :bread with one or more fillings between them, or one slice of bread with a topping or toppings, commonly called an open sandwich. Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work or school, or...

 restaurant founded by Jimmy John Liautaud

Jimmy John Liautaud

Jimmy John Liautaud is the founder of the Fast Food Sandwich Chain Jimmy John's.Liautaud was born in 1964. In 1982 he graduated from high school and with a loan from his father started Jimmy John's. He is the sole proprietor. Liautaud is married and has three children.- References:* McHenry County...

 in 1983 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois

Champaign, Illinois

Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...

. The franchise has over 1000 locations in 39 states and has opened approximately 200 units per year for the last three years. 95% of the locations are franchise

Franchising

Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....

-owned.

Founder

Liautaud founded Jimmy John's in 1983 after graduating second to last in his class at Elgin Academy

Elgin Academy (Elgin, Illinois)

Elgin Academy is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school in Elgin, Illinois.The Academy was established by charter of the Illinois General Assembly in 1839 to provide students with a classical education. The Academy's original building, Old Main, was constructed in 1855-6, and is...

 (1982) and receiving the choice from his father to join the military, go to college or start a business.

Liautaud chose the latter and accepted his father's $25,000 loan to start a hot dog business – with Liautaud owning 52% of the business and his father owning 48%. After realizing a hot dog business would cost more than anticipated, Liautaud opened a sandwich shop.

History

The first Jimmy John's opened in a garage in Charleston, Illinois

Charleston, Illinois

Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,838 as of the 2010 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor Mattoon, Illinois...

 on January 13, 1983 with used equipment and no menu or outdoor advertisement – selling four kinds of sandwiches and 25-cent Coke

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...

s. After giving samples around town, the business began to thrive.

In April 1985, Liautaud bought out his father's interest in the business, becoming sole owner. He opened his second store in Macomb, Illinois

Macomb, Illinois

Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...

. He later opened several more stores and developed a prototype before franchising began in 1993.

In January 2007 Liautaud sold a 33% stake to Weston Presidio

Weston Presidio

Weston Presidio is a private equity firm focused on growth capital investments in late-stage companies across a range of industries with a specific focus on the consumer products, business services, industrial, media, publishing, healthcare and technology sectors.The firm, which is based in Boston,...

, a San Francisco-based private-equity firm. He retained 67% ownership of the company.

In 2010, when the Industrial Workers of the World

Industrial Workers of the World

The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...

 attempted to unionize ten Minneapolis Jimmy John's locations, the New York Times called the effort "one of the few efforts to organize fast-food workers in American history."

Sponsorships

The company sponsors Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...

 in the NASCAR

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...

 Nationwide Series  and sponsors Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar

Brock Edward Lesnar is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is ranked the No.5 Heavyweight in the world by Sherdog...

, the former champion of the UFC's Heavyweight Division.

External links

• Jimmy John's website