Page 84 - Entrepreneur - USA (January - February 2020)
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THE FRANCHISE
Jersey Mike’s Subs
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STARTED FRANCHISING 1987 TOTAL UNITS 1,592 COST TO OPEN $237.4K–$766.97K
OVER THE PAST decade, Jersey unlikely trajectory. The sub remote ordering and Apple Pay. kicks in 100 percent of the day’s
Mike’s has nearly quadrupled shop was founded as a single To promote it, the company ran sales, and many employees
its total store count, and since location on the Jersey shore a 16-stop tour of college cam- even volunteer their paychecks.
2015, 80 percent of that growth in 1956, and 15 years later, puses, using pop-up shops to “Last year, we raised more
comes from existing franchisees the third owner, Victor Merlo, hand out free subs to students than $7 million,” says Manzo.
opening new stores. “That’s sold it to a 17-year-old counter who downloaded the app. “And this year, we’re looking to
telling you two things,” says worker, Peter Cancro, who is The promotion ties into a go over $8 million.”
Mike Manzo, the company’s still CEO today. Manzo worked deeply held company principle: By the end of 2020, Jersey
COO. “One, the franchisees are alongside Cancro in the origi- “We give to give.” Nine years Mike’s expects to have nearly PHOTOGR APHS COURTESY OF JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
happy, and two, they’re profit- nal store, and while the two are ago, Jersey Mike’s dubbed 2,000 restaurants and $2 bil-
able enough to be investing no longer kids, they continue March the “month of giving,” lion in system-wide sales. It all
back into their brand.” the push to reach new, often and it began inviting custom- goes to show: Sometimes the
The stats are a point of young customers. ers to donate to a local charity most reliable growth comes
pride, but they’re especially This year, Jersey Mike’s partner. On the last Wednesday from the most humble roots.
impressive given Jersey Mike’s updated its mobile app to allow of the month, each franchisee —TERRY RICE
82 / ENTREPRENEUR.COM / January-February 2020
