Jimmy John’s built its name on speed, promising sandwiches made and delivered freaky fast from a small, unchanging menu. Six numbered Originals anchor the board, alongside Favorites, Plain Slims and the towering J.J. Gargantuan®. More than 2,800 restaurants now carry the Jimmy John’s name across the United States and a handful of countries, including Canada and South Korea.
That growth traces back to one converted garage in Charleston, Illinois, and a father’s ultimatum about college money. Jimmy John’s own history, from that first counter to today’s ownership, fills the section below.
Jimmy John’s History
Jimmy John Liautaud opened the first Jimmy John’s in Charleston, Illinois, on January 13, 1983. He was just 19 years old. His father gave him a choice: the military, or a business of his own. Liautaud chose the business, backed by a $25,000 loan from his father for a 48% ownership stake in the new sandwich shop.
He first planned a hot dog stand. The equipment cost too much, so he switched to sandwiches instead, building his shop inside a converted garage. Early sales came from handing out samples in the dorms of nearby Eastern Illinois University. A third store followed in Champaign in 1987, and franchising began in 1994 out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Liautaud paused new franchise sales for about a year at one point. He fixed them with his president’s help. Roark Capital Group bought a majority stake in 2016, and Inspire Brands acquired the chain outright in 2019. Champaign, Illinois remains headquarters today, and about 98% of locations now operate under franchise owners.
Jimmy John’s Menus & Details
Three pages carry the detail below: the priced menu, the off-menu builds regulars order by naming a swap at the counter, and Jimmy John’s own item-by-item allergen breakdown.
Jimmy John’s Menu Prices
Nine sections make up the full board, from six numbered Originals through wraps, sides and desserts. Each one comes sized as an 8-inch, 16-inch or 6.5-inch Little John. The Jimmy John’s Menu Prices page adds a price and calorie count to every item.
Jimmy John’s Secret Menu
Regulars build off-menu combinations like the Flying Surfer and Noah’s Ark by naming a base sandwich and the swap they want. The Jimmy John’s Secret Menu covers each one and how to order it.
Jimmy John’s Allergen Menu
Jimmy John’s publishes its own allergen declarations sandwich by sandwich, covering milk, egg, wheat, soy and more. The Jimmy John’s Allergen Menu breaks down every section item by item.