Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Emory Sandwich Options Expand

Sandwich joint opening in Emory Village

Champaign, Illinois-based Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is coming to Emory Village.  The sub shop will occupy the former Chevron gas station on North Decatur Road.     

The approximately 2,000 square foot building is being completely renovated to suit the needs of the restaurant. (Local wine merchant Sherlock's had last year announced plans to open in the space but later abandoned them.)   

According to Emory Village Alliance, the gas station renovation will include the installation of new windows and other exterior and interior improvements including a kitchen and seating for about 20 inside, and patio seating for others outside.  When work is complete the site will reportedly have 13 parking spaces plus bike racks on the east and west side of the building. Cars will enter at the North Decatur Road entrance and exit on Oxford Road.   
Work underway at the upcoming Jimmy John's in Emory Village 
Jimmy John’s, known for their “freaky fast” delivery,  often delivers via bicycles. Pineda expects delivery by bicycle to account for 35% to 40%  of their business, based on the experience of  other Jimmy John’s in Atlanta.  This reliance on bicycles reduces the need for parking at the restaurant.

In Emory Village, Jimmy John's faces competition from Dave's Cosmic Subs and Panera Bread.  Jimmy John's, often a college kid's favorite, does have price on its side, with sandwiches ranging from about four to six bucks.     

Plans call for the new Jimmy John's to be open by Thanksgiving, but given the limited progress thus far, that estimate may be very optimistic.     

Business partners and Jimmy John's franchisees Jimmy Pineda, Chris Coulter and Grant Lawson are former bankers who moved to Atlanta eight years ago during the Great Recession.  The trio officially known as "Jimmy John’s of Atlanta, LLC" opened their first Atlanta area location in 2008. Today, the group  is reportedly the majority Jimmy John’s franchisee in Georgia with the Emory Village marking their 14th in the Atlanta area.     

As a company, Jimmy John's has over 2,500 locations nationwide including about 70 in Georgia.  Founder Jimmy John Liautaud opened the first Jimmy John's in 1983.    

Last year, the privately held company was in talks to go public but Liautaud unexpectedly shelved those plans in October.  “I made the whole Thanksgiving dinner and right before I was going to serve it, I threw it out,” Liautaud said of the shelved IPO plan.     

There are at least some in the restaurant industry who credit the shelved IPO with flak the restaurant and its founder received following the release of photos last summer that showed Liautaud posing with dead elephants, a rhinoceros, and a leopard.  Liautaud, who never denied the photos were of him, was subsequently ridiculed in the media with many reportedly boycotting the chain.     

Are you excited for a new Jimmy John's near Emory University?  What is your favorite sandwich shop in Atlanta?  Did the Liautaud hunting photos affect your willingness to patronize Jimmy John's? 

Please share your thoughts below. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The IPO didn't happen, but the company is still opening locations?

The outrage du jour has lost its effectiveness.

Anonymous said...

Ate at JJ's once, nothing special. Didnt know the founder was a hunter, will avoid from now on.

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