How Jimmy John’s Restaurant Franchise Started

Jimmy John's in Wyoming
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As the CFO of Tom Wolf Co., Kevin Scott Woolf has been instrumental in the firm’s building of a real estate portfolio worth more than $40 million. Kevin Scott Woolf also serves as the CFO of Taylor Capital Holdings, a real estate firm with significant investments in several companies in Florida, including the Taylor Hotel in Winter Haven and the Tsunami Sushi restaurant in Lakeland. Taylor Capital Holdings is also planning to open new Jimmy John’s restaurants in Bartow and Winter Haven.

The story of how Jimmy John’s became one of the fastest-growing and most successful franchise restaurants in America started in 1982, a year before its owner and founder opened the first shop in Chicago. Fresh out of high school, Jimmy John Liautaud had low expectations of getting into his college of choice after he finished second to last in his graduating class. 

Jimmy John’s father wanted him to enlist in the Army, but Jimmy John insisted on starting a business. His father lent Jimmy John $25,000 with the understanding that Jimmy John had only one year to turn a profit or he would have to enlist in the army as his brothers did.

Jimmy John’s food business became profitable quickly, and in less than 12 years, he had opened 10 sub shops without incurring any debt. The business grew to 160 locations in 2002 and more than 2,800 locations in 2018.