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Jersey Mike’s Subs, the popular submarine sandwich chain, is on the up and up with an ambitious expansion plan to move into and open 300 locations across Canada. This move is a major milestone for the company as it looks to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality, authentic sandwiches in the Canadian market.
The chain has been steadily expanding its footprint across the nation (1,000 locations in five years), while its competitor, Subway, seems to have hit a wall, facing a myriad of challenges in recent years.
The former’s commitment to quality ingredients and fresh preparation has resonated with consumers, driving growth and market share. In contrast, Subway has struggled to maintain its position, grappling with issues such as declining sales, franchisee dissatisfaction, and a perceived shift in consumer preferences.
Mike’s has plans in the pipeline to open 1,000 more locations in the US over the course of the next three years with a mighty 10,000 location plan as their overall goal.
Jersey mike’s CEO and founder Peter Cancro told Entrepreneur about the plan to take a steady and strong approach to the expansion: “You don’t want to open up so many stores you’ll start closing them. To bolster this steady growth, the company built an infrastructure of area managers to work in the field with franchisees from the time they open. “There’s a lot of weeks we’ll open 15 stores, and [now] it’s not an issue or problem.”
As Jersey Mike’s expands into Canada introducing its signature subs to a new audience and tapping into a market, Subway recently held an emergency meeting with franchisees to discuss tactics on how to lure customers back into the fold, and win back market share. Eroded profit margins are at the center of franchisee concerns as they lose business and a strong public image.
The trajectory of both companies are following two very different paths. With Mike’s expansion plans to include locations in major cities and towns across Canada, allowing more people to experience the Jersey Mike’s difference, Subway is facing competition in a time when they really can’t stomach it.
As part of its expansion, Jersey Mike’s will also be introducing its popular fundraising initiatives to Canada. These programs have helped countless local organizations raise funds for important causes, and the company is excited to continue this tradition in its new market.
The opening of 300 Jersey Mike’s locations in Canada represents a significant investment and a testament to the company’s confidence in the Canadian market. With its focus on quality, freshness, and exceptional customer service, Jersey Mike’s is poised to become a beloved brand among Canadian consumers, and more Americans as they continue to expand their footprint.
Is this another blow for Subway? Can Mike’s eventually take out the chain with the most locations in the world?
