Sales at the stores managed by Liautaud were outpacing the franchised stores by a wide margin. Of the 70 stores we visited, 63 stores improved, and 7 stores closed. Together with his partner, and now President & CEO, James North, he visited 70 of the poorest-performing stores. It's not for everyone. Other Versions Jimmy John’s Owner Hunts Endangered Animals For Sport Analysis: Few pictures circulating online since years claim to show that the owner of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is a Big Game Hunter, allegedly showing Jimmy John Liautaud with hunted dead Bear, Elephants, Rhinoceros and a Leopard. Story: Founder of Jimmy John's Sandwich is a big game hunter. A Brief History of Jimmy John Liautaud, The Founder of Jimmy John’s by Kathleen August 22, 2020 Jimmy John is the former owner and founder of the Jimmy John’s sandwich chain. My dad was my partner, he owned 48% and I owned 52% of the company. The ones we couldn't pull up made their way out." "[37] In December of that year, Liautaud was chosen to receive the Horatio Alger Award for 2018. On January 13, 1983 Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches opened in Charleston, Illinois. As we grew, many of the rock stars were promoted from the Jimmy John's sub shops to become my executives. By August of 1982, I had four sandwiches for my menu. Jimmy John Liautaud, CEO and founder of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops, talks about his rise to success during a luncheon Thursday to … Winning rocks! -- Jim Lyons, Elgin Academy Dean for Students. My real love was Chicago street food, specifically Chicago-style hot dogs, like Portillo's serves. My president and I personally visited 70 underperforming franchises. [13], In September 2019, Roark's Inspire Brands announced it was acquiring Jimmy John's for an unspecified amount in a deal unanimously approved by Liautaud and the rest of the Jimmy John's Board of Directors. America, what a country! Jimmy John Liautaud founded his eponymous sandwich chain at age 19 with a $25,000 loan from his father. The founder, Jimmy John Liautaud, strategically set up shop in the middle of a line of bars and late-night spots near the Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. [6] Although his father wanted him to enlist, he agreed to loan the money in exchange for a 48% stake in the business. As our confidence and mutual trust broadened, I noticed in front of me, a gentle giant with an equally big heart. I then stumbled on to Booby's Sandwiches in Carbondale, Illinois. Jimmy John Liautaud is the founder of Jimmy John’s, a sandwich chain that prides itself on “Freaky Fresh” ingredients and “Freaky Fast” service. [7] By the end of his first year, the restaurant started making a profit. From there I bought deli meats and I started working on a menu. It's not easy, but it's real, it's what we love, and it's what we know. I found out that I needed about $45K to open a hot dog stand. Jimmy John's Founder at High School Graduation "When his academic world was sputtering, Jimmy came to my office in need of direction and purpose. [22][31], Liautaud is a member of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. He launched the business in 1983 using a $25,000 loan from his father, an army veteran. His birthplace was in Illinois. "I started at JJ's as a franchise consultant in 2007 and I now own 16 stores of my own. Students drink, they get hungry, I'd stay open late, and I would feed them. James John Liautaud (born January 12, 1964) is the founder and former chairman of Jimmy John's sandwich chain. [11][12], In his 2018 book, Dick Portillo of Portillo's Restaurants called Liautaud his "good friend" and relayed that Liautaud tried to buy Portillo's before it was ultimately sold to Berkshire Partners. Jimmy John got born in the year 1964 on January 12th. [8] After a chance encounter at a sandwich shop, Jimmy John realized that he could open a sandwich shop within his available budget by purchasing premium meats at a neighborhood market and baking his own bread. The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans recognizes people who have overcome personal challenges to achieve personal and professional success. In January 1983, he opened his first store. -- Bryan Skowronek, Former employee, who is now a franchisee with 16 stores open and 6 more on the way. Jimmy John’s founder Jimmy John Liautaud did hunt big game, at one time. Jimmy John's founder and CEO Jimmy John Liautaud is under fire after photos of him allegedly posing with dead elephants, a rhinoceros, and a leopard appeared on the internet. Sign at Jimmy John's. Jimmy John Liautaud is the owner and founder of Jimmy John's Sandwiches, who opened the doors to his first sub shop in Charleston, IL on January 13, 1983. In 1983, at 19 years old, Jimmy John Liautaud founded a small sandwich shop in Charleston, Illinois. I graduated from Elgin Academy High School in June of 1982. The summer that I graduated high school, I visited many hot dog stands in the Chicago suburbs and created a menu from my research as well as a list of the equipment I would need to open. His brothers’ names are Greg and Robby while his sister is Lara Liautaud Berry. [44][45], Liautaud is an avid hunter and fisherman. I was rolling! [2], In October 2018, Liautaud was included in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people. After Liautaud graduated from high school in 1982, his father offered him a loan of $25,000 to open a business on the condition that when the business failed, he would enlist in the US Army. He was the third-born. Naturally, my dad wanted me to enlist after high school, but I really wanted to open a business. [20], In January 2019, Camp Southern Ground, a non-profit summer camp founded by musician Zac Brown, announced that the Liautauds had donated over $3.2 million to date to help build the camp's first residential lodge and fund ongoing operations. Leslie and Jimmy John Liautaud Boom! The founder of the Jimmy John’s restaurant chain made a little delivery of his own Saturday in Columbus, Nebraska. [8], In September 2016, Roark Capital Group agreed to purchase a majority stake in Liautaud's company, as Weston Presidio sold their minority investment after 10 years. Perfect! [7], In January 2007, Liautaud selected Weston Presidio, a private-equity firm, to help acquire better locations for the expanding company. Jimmy Johns had 160 stores by 2002, however something surprising was occurring: 70 of the locations were failing or falling behind. By 1994, Jimmy had made his first $1 million, had 10 shops in business, and sold his first franchise. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jimmy-john-liautaud-34222.php I continue to learn from Jimmy as the company grows." [3][4] His father is James Liautaud, longtime entrepreneur, and his mother is Gina Gudaityte Liautaud. His father was a renowned entrepreneur. He proves that a person can have nice things and still desire to move forward in life. As our confidence and mutual trust broadened, I noticed in front of me, a gentle giant with an equally big heart. By 2002, Jimmy John's had grown to 160 locations, with many operated by dedicated Jimmy John’s franchisees, but we also had many franchise stores that were struggling. James was th… As the founder of Jimmy John’s, Jimmy has been recognized for his professional and personal successes. My Dad was a huge believer in the discipline that the Army provides young people. [1], Liautaud was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois on January 12, 1964. Will never buy a Jimmy Johns. [7] Starting in 2015, his hunting prompted people to call for a boycott of his business. I'll never get that out of my mind. [6], In 2011, Liautaud and his wife pledged $1 million toward the construction of the new Champaign County YMCA. He did study in Elgin Academy, which was a private school that was located in Elgin, Illinois. By 1994 I had 10 sub shops, I was doing my own accounting, I paid for everything C.O.D., and I had no debt. [38][39], Liautaud has spoken at high schools;[40] colleges and universities;[41][42][43] and community spaces. As our confidence and mutual trust broadened, I noticed in front of me, a gentle giant with an equally big heart. The stores are a launching pad for people who want to change their lives. Jimmy John's Owner Jimmy John Liautaud. I had to learn to bake bread, so I checked out books from the library. When I walked in, I saw a refrigerator, a meat slicer, and a cash register. Today, much of the head office team is comprised of former Sandwich Makers, Delivery Drivers, Store Managers, or Guerilla Marketers. Military service was a big deal in our household. It was so clear to me that if Jimmy channeled his tremendous energy and allowed his instincts to triumph over others' judgments, his achievement would be significant. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges composed of local community and business leaders. Jimmy John's founder speaks out after call with Trump, business leaders on reopening economy April 16, 2020, 6:32 AM Jimmy John Liautaud discusses the White House's strategy to get America back to work amid COVID-19. [22][24], Other causes supported by the Liautauds include: the Frances Nelson Smile Healthy Dental Clinic,[25] the Kickapoo Rail Trail,[26] Crisis Nursery in Urbana, Illinois,[27] Champaign County's Youth Assessment Center,[28] Champaign Unit 4 schools,[29] Christmas layaway purchases,[30] the American Heart Association, the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, MD Anderson, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the Goodman Theater, and the Detroit Symphony. He was born the second of four siblings, with brothers Greg and Robby Liautaud and a sister Lara Liautaud Berry. At the time, Coulter was a Pizza Hut Franchisee, and later founded and ran Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon and other chains. [8][47] Liautaud is an investor in wines and vineyards, at least one of which has been featured on the cover of Wine Spectator. [48] He also owns thousands of acres of farmland in Central Illinois. It's simply a byproduct of an effective system, it's executed flawlessly and consistently by people who care. We learned from this experience and raised the standards under which future franchisees would be approved. Through a rigorous process, we reset expectations for existing Jimmy John's franchisees. [22][23], The Liautauds donated $1 million to Chicago's Youth Guidance Becoming a Man program, which helps disadvantaged young men learn how to handle tough life challenges and give them the tools to succeed in the future. I love the JJ brand and the culture. Even though James is no longer at the helm of Jimmy John’s, he’s still busting his tail every day. We believed and trusted each other from the start! In 1994 he sold his first Jimmy John's franchise, in addition to the 10 stores owned by Liautaud himself. Both of my brothers served in the Army as well. [5][4] He attended high school at Elgin Academy, a private prep school in Elgin, Illinois, where he became close with and was influenced by the dean, James Lyons. If you get past that, it's one of the most rewarding lifestyles. We believed and trusted each other from the start! [18], In 2017, Liautaud and his wife, Leslie, donated $2 million to help Brewster Academy kick off the fundraising for their new residence hall to house 22 students and 4 faculty residences. After graduating second to last in his high school class, Liautaud knew college was not for him. In an interview in 2015 with the Chicago Tribune, Liautaud said that the largest misconception about him is that people still connect him to photos of him posing with big game from 10 years ago. His work ethic still shines post-Jimmy John’s. I worked late nights and weekends and took the toughest jobs for myself. It's called free enterprise. 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