Jimmy John's History | Jimmy John's (2024)

1983

The Beginning

Our founder, Jimmy, had two options after high school - head to the military or open a business.He opted for sandwiches, and in January of 1983, the first Jimmy John's was opened in the college town of Charleston, IL.The menu consisted of four sandwiches, made just like they are today with hand-sliced meats and always fresh-baked bread.

The Original Sandwiches

We launched our menu with 4 sandwiches - smoked ham and provolone, hand-sliced turkey, homemade tuna salad and capocollo & salami.From there, we've built our menu to 18 different sandwich offerings, using a combination of the above and a few new additions, like medium-rare roast beef and applewood smoked bacon.The first 4 sandwiches, The Pepe^®, Totally Tuna^®, Turkey Tom^®, and Vito^® are still fan favorites.

Sandwich Delivery

To make it easier for people to enjoy Freaky Fresh^® sandwiches, and to make up for a less than stellar location, Jimmy John's began delivering sandwiches to the nearby campus.With that, sandwich delivery was born! We'll still deliver you tasty sandwiches right to your home or work, and we'll even deliver just one sandwich!

1993

J.J. Gargantuan®

5 meats, 1 cheese, all of your favorite toppings on our 9-Grain Wheat or fresh-baked French.This sandwich is big enough to feed the hungriest of humans, with all-natural* smoked ham, capocollo, salami, medium-rare roast beef, hand-sliced turkey and provolone cheese.

1994

Locally Owned & Operated

In 1994, our first franchise location opened in Eau Claire, WI. Today our franchise system is made up of nearly 3,000 locations and 700 amazing small business owners.A majority of our stores are owned & operated by families who live in the same communities they serve.

1998

Jimmy Cookies

Raisin Oatmeal or Chocolate Chip cookies? Whatever you have a taste for, our cookies are made with real butter, real eggs, and real vanilla.It's the only way we know how to do it!

2003

Unwich®

For those who love Jimmy John's but dig less bread, we created the Unwich®, our carb-friendly, fresh-lettuce wrapped sandwich!Any sandwich as an Unwich® contains 12G or less total carbs.

2004

Jimmy Chips®

Original, Thinny Chips, Salt & Vinegar, BBQ, or Jalapeno, however you like 'em we got you!

2008

jimmyjohns.com

We wanted to make ordering sandwiches as easy as we made sandwich delivery, so we launched online ordering in 2008.Order ahead for pick up or delivery, save your favorite order, or place a group order for you and your friends!

2015

Jimmy John's App

For even easier ordering we launched our Native iOS and Native Android apps in 2015.

2018

Kickin' Ranch®

Jimmy Peppers®, blended into buttermilk and mixed with our special seasoning, house-made in our stores. Try a side of our house-made ranch with your favorite sandwich or Jimmy Chips®.Made for your dippin' pleasure!

2018

Dig pickles on your sandwich? In 2018 we started hand-slicing our jumbo kosher Jimmy Pickles® for an extra sandwich crunch.

2019

Freaky Fast Rewards®

Freaky Fast Rewards® was launched in February of 2019. Members are rewarded for doing what they're already doing - eating sandwiches.Rewards range from free sandwiches to sides and drinks. If you aren't a member, sign up now!

2019

The Frenchie was our first limited time offering, made using our salami, capocollo, provolone cheese & salted butter on a baguette. We even created a wine, Vin De Sandwich, to pair with it!

Little John

Made with the same fresh-baked bread, hand-sliced meats and fresh veggies as our 8" and Giant 16" sandwiches. The Little John is littler, but just as tasty.

2019

In October 2019, Jimmy John's was acquired by Inspire Brands, a multi-brand restaurant company.

2021

The Sandwich of Sandwiches^SM

To celebrate our fresh-baked bread, hand-sliced meats and always fresh veggies, we began telling the world about what makes a Jimmy John's sandwichThe Sandwich of Sandwiches^SM through the King of Cold Cuts, Tony Bolognavich.