LAST UPDATED:  January 2026 FRANCHISE WEBSITE:  https://www.jerseymikes.com/franchise    NUMBER OF LOCATIONS:  2,989 REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $181,903 - $1,413,592  REPORTED ROI (Item 19):  $1,338,874 (AUV for franchises, FY 2024) Jersey Mike’s is a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and signature “Mike’s Way” toppings — onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil and spices — served on fresh-baked bread. The brand differentiates itself with freshly sliced meats and cheeses prepared in front of the guest and a culture built around friendly service and deep community involvement. 1. What Is the Brand Overview for Jersey Mike's? About the Brand Jersey Mike’s traces its roots to 1956, when Mike Ingravallo opened Mike’s Subs — one of the first submarine sandwich shops in the country — at a family-run storefront on the Jersey Shore. The shop quickly became an instant success as families lined up for delicious subs and friendly service, and Ingravallo built a loyal following by learning customers’ names and welcoming both vacationers and locals back week after week. Peter Cancro — a 17-year-old high school student who worked at Mike’s Subs — purchased the shop with a loan from his football coach, who was also a local banker. Cancro began expanding Mike’s Subs locally, and everywhere he went people continued to line up around the block for sandwiches. Today, Jersey Mike’s is a well-loved brand with around 3,000 locations open or under development. Mission:  To provide customers with the freshest, highest-quality sub sandwiches, prepared right in front of them and served with energy, enthusiasm and a culture of giving that makes a difference in the lives of customers and communities.  Vision:  To operate a business model focused on strong store-level profitability and franchisee success, offering owners a balanced lifestyle with the flexibility to support important causes in their communities while growing a beloved, authentic sub brand. Unique Selling Points (USPs) Authentic “Mike’s Way” subs topped with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar and spices for a classic Jersey Shore flavor. Fresh-sliced, premium-quality meats and cheeses prepared in front of the customer. Bread baked fresh daily in each store, with vegetables hand-sliced every morning. High product standards, including USDA Choice roast beef, 99% fat-free whole-muscle turkey and tuna made fresh in-store. Hot cheese steaks grilled to order with onions and peppers for an authentic Philly-style experience. A culture of friendliness and hospitality that emphasizes learning customers’ names and building loyal, repeat guests. A longstanding commitment to quality, freshness and authenticity that has helped the brand win “Best Sub” and “Best Sandwich” awards in many of its markets. Deep community engagement through local causes and initiatives like the Month of Giving campaign. 2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details? Why Franchise With Jersey Mike's? Proven, Values-Driven Brand: A concept that has been delighting guests since 1956 with a clear focus on quality, authenticity and hospitality. Culture of Stewardship:  Owners are expected to “make a difference” for their team members and in their communities, reinforcing a sense of purpose alongside profitability. Balanced Lifestyle Business Model:  The brand highlights a business model that supports strong ROI and gives owners the flexibility to maintain a family life outside the restaurant. Growth Story and Scale:  Thousands of locations open and under development, with 2,989 locations, 1,400 cities and 50 states and 1 country represented as of April 2025. Multiple Paths to Ownership: Many franchisees start as part-time crew members and work their way up through roles such as shift leader, supervisor, general manager and operations manager before becoming owners. Non-Traditional Opportunities: A defined pathway for experienced foodservice operators to bring Jersey Mike’s into venues like airports, casinos, military bases and train stations. Available Territories Jersey Mike’s does not publicly list specific available territories on its website. Interested candidates are encouraged to  contact the franchise development team directly to discuss market availability and learn whether their preferred area is open for development. Investment Overview Initial Costs:  The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Jersey Mike's franchise ranges from $181,903 to $1,413,592. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows: Type of Expenditure Min Max Initial Franchise Fee $18,500 $18,500 Real Estate & Construction Fee $5,000 $5,000 Rent/Lease, CAM/Taxes/Lease & Utility Security Deposits $0 $72,480 Architectural Fees $1,050 $33,142 Leasehold Improvements $75,172 $722,422 Equipment/Furniture/Smallwares $31,627 $207,546 Initial Inventory $1,923 $35,000 Insurance $1,000 $24,780 Training $1,000 $68,000 Grand Opening Advertising $12,500 $12,500 Exterior Signage $1,121 $40,073 Interior Branding/Graphics $1,610 $11,208 Uniforms, Office Equipment, Supplies & Security System $900 $65,507 POS System $8,250 $27,509 POS System Connection to Private Network $4,500 $4,500 POS License Fee $2,000 $4,000 Professional Fees $250 $21,425 Business Licenses & Permits $500 $25,000 Additional Funds (3 Months) $15,000 $15,000 Initial Franchise Fee:  Jersey Mike’s charges a $18,500 initial, nonrefundable franchise fee when the franchise agreement is signed. Upon signing a lease, franchisees must also pay a $12,500 grand opening advertising fee and a $5,000 real estate and construction fee. Any remaining franchise fee balances owed under an area development agreement are also due as outlined in that agreement. Ongoing Fees:  According to the 2025 FDD, Jersey Mike's franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees: Type of Fee Amount Continuing Royalty Fees  6.5% of gross receipts/week Corporate Advertising and Development Fund 1% of gross receipts/week National Media Fund 4% of gross receipts/week ROI Potential:   According to the 2025 FDD, the 2,255 traditional franchised restaurants operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following unit volumes:  Average Median High Low $1,338,874 $1,285,259 $4,131,736 $472,525 3. What Franchisee Support Does Jersey Mike's Provide? Training Programs Jersey Mike’s provides a structured, multi-phase training program that includes 180 hours of on-the-job instruction in a Certified Training Store and five to 14 days of classroom and simulated training at the company’s training center in New Jersey for first-time owners. Additional training is required for managers and shift supervisors. The company also sends a representative for at least three full days during the first month of operations to help establish procedures and assist with personnel training. All training must be completed to the company’s satisfaction, and failure to do so may result in termination or mandatory retraining. Operational Support Jersey Mike’s provides extensive opening support, including on-site assistance from a corporate representative during the restaurant’s first month to help standardize procedures and train staff. Franchisees are also required to follow the brand’s 412-page Operations Manual, which outlines all standards, processes and employee training requirements. 4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Jersey Mike's? Eligibility Criteria Jersey Mike’s does not specify any franchisee eligibility requirements with regards to liquid assets or net worth. Prior restaurant experience is preferred, but not required. Jersey Mike’s is looking for hands-on operators who are energetic, community-minded and committed to following its proven system. Operational Commitments Jersey Mike’s states that owning a franchise is a hands-on business that involves running all aspects of a quick-serve restaurant, which can be “incredibly complex.” Success and return on investment are described as proportional to hard work and business acumen, with no guarantees. The brand also stresses stewardship — “leaders eat last” — and expects owners to invest in their teams and the people within their community. Funding Assistance Jersey Mike’s 2025 FDD does not reference any lender partnerships, SBA relationships, or third-party financing programs.  5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories? “I wanted to control my own future and destiny. I think for me, having more than one store was the right opportunity. I think it enabled me to be able to do more for my community and allow me to control where I was headed with Jersey Mike's.” -   Todd Quinzi, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Florida “We chose Jersey Mike's strictly, almost strictly, because of the passion of Jersey Mike's corporate, the founder, and the fact that they own and operate their own stores.” - Brian Selden, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Texas Visit the Jersey Mike’s franchise website for more  franchisee testimonials and success stories . 6. What Is the Market Potential for Sandwich Shops? The fast-casual sandwich and sub sector sits within a broader global sandwich market that was valued at about  $428 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to roughly $646 billion by 2032, a CAGR of around 5.5%, with North America accounting for nearly half of that demand. Competitor Analysis Jersey Mike’s remains highly competitive in the fast-casual sandwich category thanks to its focus on fresh-sliced meats and cheeses, bread baked in-house and its signature “Mike’s Way” topping style, all of which give the brand a more premium, authentic feel compared to many national chains. Its strong growth, community-driven culture and higher quality perception also help it stand out in a crowded market.  Primary competitors include  Subway ,  Jimmy John’s,  Firehouse Subs and  Potbelly , all of which operate in the sub and sandwich space but differentiate through price point, menu style or service model. 7. What Is the Application Process for Jersey Mike's Franchisees? Complete the Online Inquiry Form: Begin by  submitting the franchise inquiry form on the Jersey Mike’s website. Initial Discovery Call: Speak with the franchise development team to discuss your background, interest and target territory. Preliminary Qualification and Territory Review: Confirm financial readiness and discuss the areas where you hope to open a store. Review the FDD and Conduct Due Diligence: Receive and review the Franchise Disclosure Document, visit stores and speak with current franchisees. In-Store Experience and Executive Meeting: Spend time inside a Jersey Mike’s location and meet with a company leader to evaluate mutual fit. Execute the Franchise Agreement: Sign the agreement and officially become a Jersey Mike’s franchisee. Secure Real Estate, Begin Training and Start Build-Out: Work with the brand to select a site, negotiate a lease, begin training and start construction. Grand Opening: Launch your Jersey Mike’s restaurant with opening support from the franchisor. Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our  Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.  Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit  www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey. Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. 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