Jersey Mike’s, a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 2,800 locations open nationwide, believes that making a sub sandwich and making a difference can be one and the same. Jersey Mike’s offers A Sub Above®, serving authentic fresh sliced subs and authentic Philly cheesesteaks grilled to order on freshly baked bread – the same recipe it started with in 1956 – and is passionate about giving back to its local communities.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Jersey Mike’s is consistently ranked amongst the top 10 franchises in America in Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Franchise 500. Nation’s Restaurant News named Jersey Mike’s as its “Fastest Growing Franchise” in the Top 100 three years in a row (2014, 2015, & 2016) and has been the fastest growing sub sandwich franchise every year for the last decade. Franchise Times consistently ranks Jersey Mike’s in their annual “Fast & Serious” list, topping the list in 2017, which ranks the the “Smartest Growing Franchises” in the country.
The growth is fueled by passionate Jersey Mike’s fans who crave their subs made Mike’s Way® with the freshest vegetables and The Juice: red wine vinegar and olive oil blended to perfection. It’s an exquisite zing — a splash of extra and unexpected. The company uses only premium meats and cheeses sliced on the spot and piled on delectable bread baked fresh in the restaurant throughout the day. The company wins best sub awards in virtually every market it enters.
Founder & CEO Peter Cancro started the company at age 17, before he was even legally able to slice a sub. The company remains committed to making a difference in the communities it serves. With a history steeped in philanthropic endeavors, Jersey Mike’s locations across the country have raised over $135 million for local charities in the last decade alone. Several community service initiatives mark the calendar for Jersey Mike’s, including the Annual Month of Giving which has raised more than $113 million since its inception in 2011.
Our History – Jersey Mike’s Subs
It started back in 1956, in this actual storefront location and was originally called Mike’s Subs. Mike opened the small shop in the sea-side town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. You have to remember that in 1956, there were very few franchise restaurants or hamburger chains. No chain pizza, chicken or taco restaurants, either. In 1956, proprietors of mom-and-pop businesses would open their stores in basic storefront locations like you see here. To survive and thrive, they had to offer exceptional quality products, coupled with unparalleled service. In 1956, Mike was unique in that the product he was offering was a relatively new item in American society – the submarine sandwich.
Mike also benefited from the geographic location of his store. Point Pleasant, New Jersey is centrally located in the state on the legendary Jersey Shore. It is approximately 1 hour south of New York City, 1 hour east of Philadelphia, and about 3 hours north of Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. For over a century, the people that lived and worked in these metropolitan areas would flock to Point Pleasant to experience the sun, surf, sand, boardwalk, salt water taffy, and all the treasures that made up the legendary Jersey Shore experience. Mike capitalized on the influx of vacationers, visitors and local residents by offering them his unique new product – submarine sandwiches. But what really differentiated his restaurant was the experience he gave his customers. Recognizing them by name, and knowing the sandwich they were going to order, because of their frequent visits. People would line up throughout the summer to buy the sub sandwiches that Mike was selling, and to enjoy the experience of coming into his shop. For over half a decade, he built the business into a thriving landmark, and was a pioneer of the authentic subs sandwich.
In 1971, Peter Cancro was a high school student in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He began working at Mike’s Subs at the age of 14. Peter loved working at Mike’s. He loved authentic submarine sandwiches. But even more, Peter loved working behind the counter, interacting and talking with the customers. He liked learning about where they were from and their summer vacation experiences. He took pride in knowing which authentic sub sandwich his loyal customer would order as they entered the store. When Peter was a senior in high school, he overheard the owner of Mike’s Subs discussing selling the business. He thought to himself, “I love the food, I love working in the store, maybe I’ll buy the shop.” Pretty ambitious for a 17 year old kid. Peter approached his football coach and said “Hey coach, Mike’s Sub shop is for sale, and I’m interested in buying it. Can you help me out?” It didn’t hurt that his football coach was also a banker. The football coach came through for Peter, and backed his loan. So, at the tender age of 17 – before he was legally able to slice a sub – Peter Cancro became the owner and proprietor of Mike’s Subs.
Shortly after buying Mike’s, he married his former wife Linda and they opened a couple more local outlets of Mike’s Subs. He expanded upon the phenomenon of Mike’s Subs. Teaching the crew to interact and talk with the customer, to share a passion for getting to know the customer. He spent the next decade building on the cult-like following that Mike’s Subs already enjoyed. They would have customers lined up out the door in the summertime waiting to get the authentic sub sandwiches that Mike’s was famous for.
In the mid-eighties, Peter heard more and more people say, “Peter, we’re going to miss you and your subs this winter. We sure wish you would put a Mike’s where we live!” People would come in at the end of the summer and get several giant subs wrapped for travel, to carry back to their homes across the country. This got Peter thinking, and he started researching the possibilities of franchising the Mike’s concept. In 1987, Peter began franchising. He changed the name from Mike’s Subs to Jersey Mike’s Subs to capture the authenticity of where the authentic sub sandwich was born.
Today, Peter Cancro is CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems Inc., overseeing more than 2,000 locations open and under development. Despite the title, Peter still jumps behind the counter to test his skills and demonstrate his passion for the product and the customer. He tries to instill that passion in every store he enters and with every franchisee he meets.
Today, the authentic taste – served Mike’s Way® with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar and spices – is available nationwide. Our secret? Everything about Jersey Mike’s is high quality. Our meats and cheeses are all top-quality premium brands. Our bread is fresh-baked each day on the premises. And of course, everything’s prepared right in front of you. It’s what makes Jersey Mike’s the most authentic tasting submarine sandwich available, and it’s a tradition of quality we’ll never outgrow.
FRESH SLICED COLD SUBS
2 Jersey Shore’s Favorite
Provolone, ham and cappacuolo
Back in the fifties, Jersey Mike’s was one of the only places in the world to get a sub. Locals and vacationers flocked to Jersey Mike’s to get our delicious #2. This fan favorite is stacked with provolone, ham, and cappacuolo.
3 The American Classic
Ham and provolone
Our twist on the All-American ham and cheese, our provolone and ham make for a richly flavorful combination that never fails to please.
14 The Veggie
Swiss, provolone and green bell peppers; Order it Mike’s Way for lettuce, tomato, and onions.
Crunchy and full of flavor, our Veggie sub starts with layers of provolone, Swiss, and green bell peppers. Ask for it Mike’s Way to enjoy our freshly sliced onions, shredded lettuce, and perfectly ripened tomatoes, with spices and the juice for a light and refreshing sub.
5 The Super Sub
Provolone, ham, prosciuttini and cappacuolo
Big, bold, and zesty, the name says it all. Stacked with flavor, our Super Sub comes layered in provolone, ham, prosciuttini, and cappacuolo. Try it Mike’s Way and never look back.
7 Turkey Breast and Provolone
Highest quality, 99% fat free turkey served with provolone. Lean and full of flavor.
One of our most popular subs, our zero additives, 99% fat free turkey breast and provolone is bursting with flavor. Get a giant, and don’t forget to share!
10 Tuna Fish
Freshly made on premises
Our protein-packed tuna salad is made right on site with freshly chopped celery, mayo, and a dash of pepper. Try it Mike’s Way for flavor you’re sure to crave.
6 Famous Roast Beef and Provolone
Cooked on premises!
Our roast beefs are trimmed, tied, and cooked to perfection on site. Stacked on top of our freshly sliced provolone – it doesn’t get any better than that.
13 The Original Italian
Provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami and pepperoni
Nothing says Jersey Mike’s more than our Original Italian. A truly authentic Jersey-style Italian sub, it’s crafted with provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni. Order a giant Mike’s Way for one truly memorable experience.
8 Club Sub
Turkey, ham, provolone, applewood smoked bacon and mayo
This is the kind of club you want to belong to. Our Applewood smoked bacon, sizzled to perfection, is nestled on top of a foundation of turkey, ham, and provolone, topped with mayo. Get it Mike’s Way for unbelievable flavor. Welcome to the club.
9 Club Supreme
Roast beef, turkey, swiss, applewood smoked bacon and mayo
This one-of-a-kind club takes savory to a whole new level. Our premium quality Swiss cheese, roast beef, turkey, freshly grilled Applewood smoked bacon, and mayo creates a mouthwatering medley of flavor.
1 BLT
The timeless bacon, lettuce and tomato
The BLT was added to the Jersey Mike’s menu in the mid-90’s and has earned its spot at #1. Served with freshly grilled Applewood smoked bacon, shredded iceberg lettuce and perfectly ripened tomatoes, try it Mike’s Way for that extra and unexpected zing you’ve been missing.
4 The Number Four
Provolone, prosciuttini and cappacuolo
One of our original nine subs, our Number Four is crafted with provolone, prosciuttini, and cappacuolo.
11 Stickball Special
Provolone, ham and salami
Ordering a #2 with salami instead of cappaculo became a mouthful for some of our hungry customers, so we gave it a name and a number to call its own. The Stickball Special comes with provolone, ham, and salami and truly knocks it out of the park.
12 Cancro Special
Provolone, roast beef and pepperoni
In the summer of ’74, the Pepsi delivery man requested a curious combination of provolone, roast beef, and pepperoni. Peter Cancro’s brother, John, liked the sandwich so much, he gave it the family name and a menu spot of its own.
SIDES, DRINKS, & DESSERTS
Chips
Assorted flavors including Lay’s, Doritos, Miss Vickie’s, SunChips (Choose in-store at pickup)
Fountain Drink
Your favorite Pepsi products, self-served in our store
