News

Top 100: Restaurants – Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is number 42 on our list of the 2014 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers: Restaurants.

January 31, 2015

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is number 42 on our list of the 2014 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers: Restaurants.

Best known for its dedication to "freaky fast" delivery times, Jimmy John's also could boast about its freaky fast growth rate. The chain, which has nearly 2,000 units, has added about 200 locations per year over the last three years and created about 45,000 jobs across the U.S. since it opened in 1983. The system, with vendors and affiliates, exceeds 50,000 employees, according to the company.

The chain is built around sustainable practices, not only striving for efficiencies in food delivery times but also in packaging and materials. Jimmy John's, which is EPAct, Green-e and Constellation Energy certified, requires that all bulk ingredients come in reusable containers, and 35 percent to 50 percent of the cardboard it uses is recycled.

Jimmy's meats supply chain is a Top 15 percent food producer in the SAM Sustainability Yearbook and has earned AMI awards for safety records and environmental matters management. The chain periodically requires suppliers to describe their sustainability progress and has com-mitted to reduce landfill and water usage and increase energy efficiency.