Monday, June 20, 2022

[UPDATE] Jersey Mike's Planning Peach State Push

The sandwich shop known for offering "a sub above" is in the midst of a significant Atlanta area expansion.  Jersey Mike's Subs, which already has about about 90 locations in Georgia, has another sixteen "coming soon," according to its website.

The Manasquan, New Jersey-based chain which started in 1956 and today has more than 2,200 locations across the country, is seemingly in the midst of a significant growth spurt with the planned Georgia locations among nearly 300 the company has in its immediate pipeline.  

In metro Atlanta, where the chain added a Buckhead area location to Lindbergh Plaza earlier this February and another at the new Exchange at Gwinnett in Buford, new locations are planned for Decatur, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Tucker.  

In Decatur, Jersey Mike's will open at Sam's Crossing Village, a new Publix-anchored shopping center between North Arcadia and Ponce de Leon Avenues.  The new Sandy Springs sub shop will open in place of the former Starbucks just outside Regal Cinemas at Perimeter Pointe shopping center along Mount Vernon Highway.  In Alpharetta/Roswell, a new Jersey Mike's and Chipotle will be built in a new outparcel of the Kroger-anchored Rivermont Station shopping center at 8465 Holcomb Bridge Road.  The Johns Creek Jersey Mike's will open in the Publix-anchored Medlock Corners shopping center at 5805 State Bridge Road.  In Tucker, Jersey Mike's will join a host of upcoming tenants at the new Publix-anchored Hugh Howell Village at the intersection of Hugh Howell Road and Mountain Industrial Boulevard.  

In addition to metro Atlanta locations, other new Jersey Mike's Subs are planned for Columbus (2), Dawsonville, Evans, Fayetteville, Morrow, Newnan, Perry, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Suwanee.  

Jersey Mike's is considered by many industry metrics as one of the top five sandwich shops in America.  Although its unit count is dwarfed by industry leader Subway, which has more than 20,000 units in America, it seems to be in a better position for growth.  Subway has in recent years seen its franchisees shutter several thousand locations as both oversaturation and increased competition have led to disappointing sales at existing units. 

In addition to Jersey Mike's, Firehouse Subs, which in late 2021 was acquired by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), is among a crop of sub shops that seem primed to take market-share away from Subway and other legacy brands that have been slow to innovate their brands and improve food quality.  

Metro Atlanta (and other cities) is littered with former Quiznos and Blimpie locations, while other chains like Potbelly Sandwich Shop have yet to arrive.  Wawa, a convenience store operator based in Wawa, Pennsylvania, is known by its patrons perhaps as much for fuel as for their premium sandwiches.  The company entered the Florida market in 2012 and will later this year open its 250th location in the Sunshine State.  Wawa has announced plans to enter Mobile, Alabama by 2024 and Nashville by 2025, but has thus far steered clear of Georgia where QuikTrip and RaceTrac dominate fuel like Kroger and Publix dominate grocery.  

As the fallout from COVID-19, inflation, and rising labor and food costs comes into focus, it will be very interesting to see what opportunities present themselves for chain and independent restaurants looking to open in metro Atlanta.

Are you pleased to see Jersey Mike's Subs expanding in metro Atlanta? What is your favorite sandwich chain? What chain not yet in Atlanta would you like to see enter the market? 

Please share your thoughts below.  

21 comments:

Ham said...

To be honest I can't say this is exciting news, but they do seem to offer a better product than Subway. I seldom eat sub-sandwiches, but the last few times I did they were from Publix. Some of the locations mentioned may have a lot of competition, but others like Tucker may do ok.

Anonymous said...

Tried Jersey Mike's years ago when they first came to Atlanta. It was not memorable. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either. Perhaps I should give them another try, but if I want a sub sandwich, Publix will always be my first consideration.

Anonymous said...

I will have to give them a try. Subway in my area started years to not give you enough toppings if you want more you have to ask for more. Eyes roll. Also since they have gotten woke I stopped going. I wish Firehouse would open in my area. Delicious!

Mike said...

Yeah, makes sense to boycott Subway because they have the audacity to support black rights and gay rights. They should be all in the right wing make America hate again agenda

Anonymous said...

The BLM sub thing was a joke. They are not "woke".

Anonymous said...

I give Jersey Mike’s a slight edge over Publix just because I like it better. It’s about twice the price of Subway, which for me is only a chain of last resort when on road trips since it’s relatively healthier than Burger King and McDonald’s. I don’t support big game hunting millionaires so Jimmy John’s is out of the mix.

Anonymous said...

I love Jersey Mike's. They are definitely my favorite. The 2 locations I go to are Embry Hills & the Briarcliff/North Druid and they are both excellent!! I've tried Publix several times since so many people love their subs but I haven't gotten good subs at Publix. I used to like Subway for what it was but the quality has really gone down. Glad Jersey Mike's is expanding.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy John's and firehouse are good! Yummy! Boycott subway!

Anonymous said...

At Cambridge Square in Brookhaven the owner - managing partner of Jersey Mikes has said that a National or Regional grocer from the west coast is under serious consideration for the now empty Kroger space and part of that deal is to create an assemblage and bundle the Jersey Mikes, China Wok, Great Clips, Allstate, and Cambridge Liquors spaces together with the Kroger for their entry into the Atlanta market. In that scenario they are holding the corner former Starbucks space for a relocated Jersey Mikes. Also, the adjacent former UPS store is also vacant. I prefer 48th Street Market for authentic subs.

Unknown said...

glad to see they're coming to Decatur! Jersey Mike's edges out Publix for me mainly because of their variety. their cheeseteaks, grilled to order not sitting in a steam tray all day, are pretty good (Mad Italian is still better) and any of their sandwiches blow subway away.
I like Publix well enough but it's rarely a quick in and out. with Jersey Mike's you can order ahead of time on the app and they have a great rewards program that earns me free food. :)

Mike said...

Right, who needs to be woke about the right wing agenda to make America hate again and make America racist again and make America white again

Anonymous said...

Hopefully they have coupons because this economy is killing me! Can't wait for next year because this black women is looking for change! Big sweep of change!

Anonymous said...

I believe men pretending to be women must have the right to compete in women's sports. For that reason, I support Subway.

And I too hate millionaire hunters, so I will eat my slaughtered and gelatinized pork, turkey, chicken, and beef products at any place other than JJs

RayAtL said...

I only go to Firehouse since Publix stopped offering whole wheat bread this year. My first experience was Jersey Mike was rather "meh"🤷‍♂️

dal787 said...

Jersey Mike's is fine. I prefer it to Publix, but Firehouse is absolutely my favorite.

Anonymous said...

I also support trans men in women's sports! Please eat more subway!

Anonymous said...

In the past, I would head to Subway but the food quality has fallen and asking for extra anything was met with comments and looks from the staff at the store, TWork has me on the road and in most cities, one would expect to see a nail salon and a Subway in just about every mid to large shopping center.

Once I had a sub from Publix, I saw no reason to ever return to Subway. Publix will add extra vegies free and some stuff may cost you a buck or two but the quality and taste is there.

Publix has encountered issues with whole wheat for the subs and other bakery products with the issue being 25% of the wheat production from Europe (Russia -war is responsible for this).

As to Jersey Mike, tried it and will not be back. Same food slicer for the meat and cheese. One sub person told me off the record that the person operating the slicer can and will adjust the thickness of the product and it is not weighed prior to be placed on a sub.

Publix makes up sub kits in house each day and they are weighed. Another reason for a PBX sub- yes to chicken tender sub.


Anonymous said...

Jersey Mikes is expensive and overrated. I prefer Firehouse Subs any day.

Anonymous said...

Firehouse is good, but I prefer jersey Mike's. To me it tastes just like Lenny's, which seems to have closed most locations in recent years. They basically have the same menu and offerings as Lenny's. Jersey Mike's is 10 times better than subway and 3-5 times better than Jimmy John's. I'll take more locations wherever they can put them.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the opening of the Rivermont Station location in Roswell/Johns Creek. I’m from New Jersey and the Classic tastes like the subs I grew up with.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know when the Jersey Mike’s at 8465 Holcomb Bridge, Alpharetta, GA (Rivermont Station) is going to open?

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