1851

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Former Polk County deputy and hostage negotiator, Jim Harmer just opened the first <a href="http://lennysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-ledger-lennys-grill-subs-franchisee-and-cancer-survivor-opens-location-in-polk-7247" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lennys Grill &amp; Subs</a> to serve the greater Lakeland market, expanding the brand&#39;s footprint in Florida. The opening was a huge success and a day that Jim will remember forever. Jim is a brain cancer survivor, and up until last year, he was unsure whether or not he was going to be able to beat it. Now, with his parents and wife at his side, he is a survivor and a business owner.</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&ldquo;I thought I could do this by myself,&rdquo; Jim Harmer said in an interview with The Ledger, &ldquo;but I can&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Jim previously owned a lawn and garden pest control business, but after his initial diagnosis, gave up the business to focus on treatment. It was during this time that he and his wife were exposed to Lenny&#39;s while traveling between Bartow and Tampa. They were hooked on the brand from the first bite.</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I had the Italian sub and I fell in love,&rdquo; Harmer said to The Ledger reporter. &ldquo;My wife ate the chicken Philly and she said, &lsquo;Oh my God.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">In 2011, Jim decided to join the Polk County Sherrif&#39;s office for a change of pace and it proved to be the right choice as he was named Detention Deputy of the Year in 2013. With his cancer in remission, Jim also began looking into franchising with his father. The two began their training with Lennys but in 2015, Jim&#39;s cancer returned.</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">After more chemotherapy and a tough decision to give up his job at the Sherrif&#39;s Office, Jim has been solely focused on getting his franchise up and running. The cancer is gone for good and with his improved energy, Jim is off to a running start, breaking sales records in less than a week since opening.
<p>&ldquo;In my mind, I wake up happy every day,&rdquo; he said to The Ledger.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.theledger.com/news/20161031/cancer-survivor-leaves-law-enforcement-to-break-into-restaurant-business-in-polk?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-ledger-lennys-grill-subs-franchisee-and-cancer-survivor-opens-location-in-polk-7247" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read the full story.</p>
</div>

The Ledger: Lennys Grill & Subs Franchisee and Cancer Survivor Opens Location in Polk

1851 Franchise

Brain cancer survivor and now business owner Jim Harmer recently opened a Lennys Grill & Subs location in Florida. 

the-ledger-lennys-grill-subs-franchisee-and-cancer-survivor-opens-location-in-polk

HomeTeam Inspection Service

HomeTeam Inspection Service Highlights Strong Franchisee Performance and Tech Innovation in Successful Second Quarter

hometeam-inspection-q2-2025-growth-expansion

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Celebrates 40 Years With Growth, New Franchise Signings and Charitable Milestones in 2025

two-men-and-a-truck-celebrates-40-years-with-growth-new-franchise-signings-and-charitable-milestones-in-2025

Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals Offers 50% Off Its Franchising Fee in Select Markets

express-employment-professionals-offers-50-off-its-franchising-fee-in-select-markets

Woodhouse Spas

image of woodhouse spa building franchise spa treatment

Woodhouse Spas’ Culture of Excellence, Support Further Elevates Top-Performing Franchise Opportunity

woodhouse-spas-supportive-franchise-culture

Sola Salons

Image of sola salons franchise spa industry interior of a franchise building

Sola Salons 2025 FDD Savings: How Data-Driven Adaptation Has Cut Costs for Franchisees

sola-salons-2025-fdd-savings

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway - John Fitzpatrick Named CEO - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as New CEO, Effective July 28

jonathan-fitzpatrick-subway-ceo-leadership-change

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

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

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

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

graphic image of a franchisee spotlight jeff kinkade of trublue home service ally

After Building One Home Services Business, Jeff Kinkade Is Doing It Again — This Time With His Son

jeff-kinkade-trublue-north-johnson-county

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

The Ledger: Lennys Grill & Subs Franchisee and Cancer Survivor Opens Location in Polk

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS