Jimmy John’s is widely recognized for its gourmet sandwiches and “freaky fast” delivery service. However, few people know that the chain’s founder, Jimmy John Liautaud, initially planned to open a hot dog restaurant. In an interview with Forbes, Liautaud shared that after graduating high school, his father offered him $25,000 to start a business. The agreement included giving his father 48% ownership if the venture succeeded; if it failed, Liautaud would have to join the military.
Liautaud considered hot dogs as a low-cost entry into the food industry. However, after conducting research, he discovered that the necessary equipment would be too expensive and that hot dogs would not yield enough profit to sustain a business.
Faced with this challenge, he pivoted to a new idea: opening a sub shop in a converted garage.
The Birth of Jimmy John’s
In 1983, Liautaud opened his first Jimmy John’s location in Charleston, Illinois. He opted for a simple menu featuring just four sandwiches.
The shop’s proximity to Eastern Illinois University allowed him to charge only 25 cents for delivery to students’ dorms. In its first year, the restaurant generated $154,000 in sales, resulting in a profit of $40,000 for Liautaud. The following year was even more successful, enabling him to buy out his father’s share by repaying the initial loan plus interest.
Today, Jimmy John’s operates 2,802 locations across the United States and is renowned for its quick delivery and gourmet subs. This remarkable growth story serves as a reminder that what began as a hot dog dream transformed into one of America’s favorite sandwich chains. So next time you enjoy a J.J. Gargantuan or an Italian Night Club sandwich, remember that Jimmy John’s was just one frank away from being a completely different dining experience.
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