7 Most Brilliant Franchise Founders

Jimmy John Liautaud -- Jimmy John’s

Jimmy John Liautaud started off with his first sandwich shop when he was 19.  When Jimmy completed second-to-last in his high school class, his father gave him the option to either head to the army or move out and he opted the second one.  After traveling the country visiting sandwich shops, Liautaud made a deal with his father to get a $25,000 loan to start his own sandwich shop.  But his father has made it clear if Jimmy fails, he would join the military in order to make something of his life. In the beginning, the company could only afford a refrigerator, a chest freezer, an oven, and a meat slicer.  Moreover the soda was served without ice. He believed so much in his product of fresh bread, no pre-sliced meats or veggies, and real condiments that he gave away free sandwiches on the streets.  His efforts eventually paid off and Jimmy was able to create a culture around his sandwich shops wherein he proclaims “it’s honest, it’s damn good, and it’s damn fast, at a decent price!”   The company today has over 1,000 locations across 39 states.