Who Owns Jimmy John’s?
Inspire Brands, which bought the sandwich chain in 2019. Founder Jimmy John Liautaud sold his majority stake to Roark Capital in 2016 and later left the business.
How Jimmy John’s started
Jimmy John Liautaud opened the first shop in Charleston, Illinois in 1983, near Eastern Illinois University, with a loan from his father. He sold four kinds of subs and delivered them himself, which set up the chain’s focus on speed and delivery.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1983 | First Jimmy John’s opens in Charleston, Illinois |
| 1988 | Franchising begins |
| 2016 | Roark Capital buys a majority stake |
| 2019 | Inspire Brands acquires Jimmy John’s |
Who runs it today
Jimmy John’s is now one of the Inspire Brands chains, and almost all shops are franchised. The headquarters is still in Champaign, Illinois, close to where the first shop opened.
See the menu
Sandwich and Unwich prices are on the Jimmy John’s menu.
Related Questions
Does Jimmy John still own Jimmy John’s?
No. He sold his majority stake in 2016, and Inspire Brands bought the company in 2019.
Who owns Inspire Brands?
Inspire Brands is majority owned by the private equity firm Roark Capital.
Where was the first Jimmy John’s?
Charleston, Illinois, in 1983.
Where is Jimmy John’s headquartered?
Champaign, Illinois.
Is Jimmy John’s owned by the same company as Arby’s?
Yes. Both are owned by Inspire Brands.
Is Jimmy John’s a franchise?
Yes. Almost all shops are run by franchise owners.
More on Jimmy John’s
About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Jimmy John’s or Inspire Brands. Details come from public sources and were checked in October 2026. See current prices on the Jimmy John’s menu.
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