1851

Sixteen years ago, Dave Vansteenburg became one of Jimmy Johns&rsquo; first franchisees. Today, with 59 stores open, he&rsquo;s the second-largest franchisee in the system.

Vansteenburg, who has averaged four openings a year since 2011, turns in higher than the company average when it comes to AUVs, and his same-store sales have been&nbsp;positive 14 out of the 16 years he&rsquo;s been in business.

His secret? &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the people you hire and how you treat them, and that ends up being what helps you make it or what holds you back,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/franchise-focus-jimmy-johns/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fast-casual-this-jimmy-johns-multi-unit-franchisee-found-success-by-empowering-employees-to-work-for-themselves-12167" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vansteenburg told Fast Casual.</a>

That means employees share in the company&rsquo;s success.

&quot;I give bonus checks to the managers that have earned them every 28 days,&quot; <a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/franchise-focus-jimmy-johns/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fast-casual-this-jimmy-johns-multi-unit-franchisee-found-success-by-empowering-employees-to-work-for-themselves-12167" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vansteenburg told Fast Casual</a>. &quot;I&#39;ve done that since I started in 2001. It&#39;s not enough to wait until the end of the year. Share the success regularly and often.&quot;

<a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/franchise-focus-jimmy-johns/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fast-casual-this-jimmy-johns-multi-unit-franchisee-found-success-by-empowering-employees-to-work-for-themselves-12167" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to read the full interview, and to learn more about Vansteenburg&rsquo;s philosophy for success.</a>&nbsp;

Fast Casual: This Jimmy John’s Multi-Unit Franchisee Found Success By Empowering Employees to Work for Themselves

1851 Franchise

Dave Vansteenburg was one of Jimmy John’s first franchisees. And with 59 stores spanning from his home state in Minnesota to Boston, he’s also one of its largest. 


fast-casual-this-jimmy-johns-multi-unit-franchisee-found-success-by-empowering-employees-to-work-for-themselves

Voodoo Brewing Co.

good vibes - Voodoo Brewing Co. - The Lighter Side of good vibes - 1851 Franchise

The Lighter Side of good vibes: Voodoo Brewing Co. Turns Down the ABV and Cranks Up the Flavor

lil-vibes-beer-voodoo-brewing-co-session-ipa-low-abv

New Vibes Just Dropped: The Vibes Sampler 6-Pack Is Here To Set the Tone

new-vibes-just-dropped-the-vibes-sampler-6-pack-is-here-to-set-the-tone

Sola Salons

Photo of Sola Salons lobby area with retail display in window

Inside the 2025 Sola Salons Franchise Disclosure Document: What Aspiring Owners Need to Know

sola-salons-2025-fdd-breakdown

Right at Home

How Right at Home Is Building Its Corporate Staff of Innovation To Drive the Future of Senior Care

how-right-at-home-is-building-its-corporate-staff-of-innovation-to-drive-the-future-of-senior-care

Woodhouse Spas

Woodhouse Spas Expands Its Luxury Wellness Brand with Franchisee Signing in New Jersey

woodhouse-spas-expands-its-luxury-wellness-brand-with-franchisee-signing-in-new-jersey

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Fast Casual: This Jimmy John’s Multi-Unit Franchisee Found Success By Empowering Employees to Work for Themselves

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS