Zero's Subs vs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zero's Subs vs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Zero's Subs Franchise
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
Investment $150,000 - $250,000$313,600 - $556,100
Franchise Fee $15,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee -4.5%
Year Founded 19671983
Year Franchised 19961993
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10% of current franchise fee$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Zero's Subs Franchise
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Zero's Subs Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Zero's Subs Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Zero's Subs Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Zero's Subs

    In 1967, Gene Schmidt started ZERO'S SUBS. Zero’s Subs is one of the largest regional sandwich franchises in the U.S. with more than 30 restaurants nationally. Since its inception in Virginia Beach in 1967, Zero’s Subs has created a proven fast, casual concept which offers high-quality foods, such as hot oven-baked subs, hearth-baked bread, Hormel meats, buffalo chicken wings, innovative health-conscious salads, wraps and pizza - all under one roof.

    About Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops

    James J. Liautaud established Jimmy John's in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983 when he was 19 years of age. With utilized hardware, a cooler, one meat slicer, a cooler and a stove, Jimmy John Liautaud began his business without even a posted menu or an open air sign. At the time, he offered four sandwich assortments and 25-penny sodas. In the wake of going out sandwich tests all through the school town, Liautuad included conveyance benefit, tables, open air signs, menu sheets and an extended menu. He opened a few more stores and built up a model before diversifying started in 1993. Jimmy John's franchisees prepare bread at every store each day, and each sandwich is made new to arrange in 30 seconds.

    Watching your calories?  Try our 'Unwich'  A sandwich with lettuce for a wrapping, not bread !!

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Jimmy John's Restaurant is $313,600 to $556,100 (including initial real estate lease costs).
    This includes $30,000 to $37,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    If you want development rights (for a minimum of 3 Restaurants), you must pay the franchisor a development fee equal to $35,000 (the initial franchise fee for the first Restaurant), plus the $30,000 initial franchise fee due under each additional Franchise Agreement you sign when you sign the Development Rights Rider, plus a deposit of $10,000 for each additional Restaurant you agree to develop but for which you do not sign a Franchise Agreement when you sign the Development Rights Rider.

    "Entrepreneur

    #23 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #72 in Franchise 500 for 2021.