Podcasts

The Jersey Mike’s Way

| March 14, 2023

| March 14, 2023

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How did a small sub shop from Point Pleasant, New Jersey, grow into a 2,400-store operation across 50 states? Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems Inc. senior vice president Caroline Jones shares the company’s evolution after deciding to franchise the concept in 1987. Additionally, Jones shares stories of growing up in the business, and how the company’s philanthropic efforts help to endear franchise locations to each community they serve.

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More About Caroline Jones:
Caroline Jones, Senior Vice President, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc., has worked in nearly every aspect of the Jersey Mike’s business. At age 35, she already has 21 years with the company, having the distinction of starting her career at the original Point Beach (N.J.) restaurant at age 14.

Caroline joined Jersey Mike’s full-time after college and has been an important part of the Jersey Mike’s team through its ongoing expansion to more than 2,000 locations nationwide. Jersey Mike’s was named fastest-growing fast-food chain in America by QSR magazine in 2022 and ranked #3 on Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500.

She has brought her creativity and leadership to a number of initiatives, including:

  • Spearheading grand opening marketing strategies for new locations across the country.
  • Facilitating Jersey Mike’s charitable giving.
  • Building a standardized platform for the company’s annual Month of Giving campaign in March. The centerpiece is Day of Giving, when Jersey Mike’s franchisees donate 100 percent of sales to their local charity partner. Since 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $67 million.
  • Leading the systemwide redesign of locations nationwide, creating a store design that promotes flawless operational execution and reflects Jersey Mike’s culture, honoring its 67-year history and modern spirit.

Caroline’s unique perspective on the marketplace and the company also comes from having had the extraordinary opportunity to shadow Jersey Mike’s founder — and her father — Peter Cancro, in leadership meetings, town halls, and other events, as they connected with potential and current franchisees, customers and local community leaders.

More About Jersey Mike’s:
Jersey Mike’s Subs, with nearly 2,500 locations nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit www.jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jerseymikes), Instagram (www.instagram.com/jerseymikes), and Twitter (www.twitter.com/jerseymikes.com).

For more information of Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving, please visit: https://www.jerseymikes.com/mog

For more Food Institute reporting on Jersey Mike’s, click here.