Jimmy Johns History
Jimmy John Liautaud was thought to be many things during his high schools years at Elgin Academy during the late 70’s and early 80’s. Among these were a bully, but never did anyone think Jimmy John had what it took to be a business owner. In 1982, after graduating second to last in his class, Jimmy John was faced with an option to join the military or try to start his own business. His father gave him a $25,000 loan to start a hot dog restaurant. After doing some extensive research, Jimmy John realized that he did not have enough money to invest in a hot dog business. He then decided that a sub shop may be more within his budgeted range. The agreement he made with his father was that if he failed at his business venture, he would have to join the military. If however, he was successful, he would own fifty eight percent of the company and his father would own forty eight percent.
Jimmy John heard from a friend that if he wanted to make his sub shop a success, he would have to create the perfect sandwich bun first. So he checked out numerous cookbooks from his local library in Elgin and used his mother’s kitchen to experiment. Purchasing fresh products from a local market named Dominick’s, Jimmy John created 6 different sandwiches and asked his friends and family to vote on the 4 best ones.
Jimmy John Liautaud found a store front location that he could rent for $200 a month, purchased a used refrigerator, stove and chest cooler. Jimmy John also faced another dilemma. The two people who had agreed to help assist him in his business venture decided at the last minute to back out. This left Jimmy John to run the business from open to close seven days a week by himself. But this did not hinder him.
The first Jimmy John’s menu consisted of the four top choice sandwiches chosen by his family and friends, soda which was served warm because there was no money in the budget for an ice maker and twenty five cent cookies. To promote his sandwich shop, Jimmy John took samples of his sandwiches out and served them to the public. He also offered delivery to college students who could not get out of the dorms. It did not take long before his sandwiches were a hit. Mostly catering to the college students, Jimmy John’s prices were said to be the most affordable around for what you got.
When asked what his secret was, Jimmy John responded that all of the products including the meats, cheeses and vegetables are fresh and sliced in the restaurant. The dressings and oils are top brand named products and there are never off brands used on the sandwiches.
After the success of the first sandwich location, Jimmy John set out and opened the second Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop in 1985 after buying out his father’s portion of the business. This shop opened in Macomb, Illinois. He hired a manager for the second location named William “Billy” Burns. After Burns was killed in a car accident a few years later, Jimmy John constructed a sandwich which he named the Billy Club to honor the memory of his friend and loyal employee. This remains a popular choice on the Jimmy John’s Menu today.
There are currently over 995 Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops located around the country. Each location offers the same great sandwich choices constructed in the same fashion as the first ones. This consists of the secret recipe sub buns that Jimmy John created, fresh meat, cheese and vegetables that are never sliced, cut or chopped until they are ready to be used, Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, Grey Poupon and the best oils and dressings that the customers want. There are never any fillers in the products that are offered and customer service is a top priority. Each of the current 995 locations also encourage the customer to come in for free smells. What sets Jimmy John’s apart from other sub and sandwich shops is that all of the employees want to be the best. They are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Customers say it their honesty, because they are good, they are fast at serving and delivering and their prices are decent.
Locating Jimmy John’s Promotional Discounts & Coupon Codes
Even with the affordable menu prices offered at each Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop, there are great savings and discounts available through their website to help save you even more. You can sign up for a Subculture account at www.jimmyjohns.com for the ability to place your order online. You can also buy great Jimmy John’s gear. You will receive emails from Jimmy John’s if you choose that will inform you of great deals, money saving offers and sneak peaks on new products that become available.