Dive Brief:
- Jersey Mike’s has signed a franchise agreement with JM Submarines UK to open 400 restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the company said Monday in a press release. JM Submarines UK is led by Jersey Mike’s founder and chairman of the board Peter Cancro.
- This agreement marks the first expansion of the sandwich chain into Europe. The first location under this deal will open this year.
- Jersey Mike’s is the latest chain to plan major expansion into the U.K. and Ireland, following commitments from Chick-fil-A, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chuck E. Cheese and Raising Cane’s.
Dive Insight:
Jersey Mike’s expansion into Europe comes just a few months after the chain hired Andy Skehan as president of international. His role has been to oversee the Jersey Mike’s multinational growth strategy along with development, operations and marketing initiatives while the chain expands into new markets, focusing on Canada and the U.K.
The U.K and Ireland have “incredible potential that represent just the beginning of our global growth journey,” Skehan said in a statement.
The deal also marks the first major expansion push following the sale of a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s to Blackstone in 2024. The company also brought on Charlie Morrison last April as CEO, succeeding Cancro, who became chairman of the board.
“The strategic partnership with Cancro underscores the brand's commitment to thoughtful, quality-driven growth as it shares Jersey Mike's authentic ‘A Sub Above’ experience with a global audience,” the company said in the press release.
Jersey Mike’s currently has more than 3,200 shops following a significant round of growth in the past few years.
The chain added 898 units from 2022 to 2024, the bulk of which were franchised, according to its franchise disclosure document. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the company projected to open 270 units during 2025 and had commitments for over 500 units.
