Jersey Mike’s gave out hundreds of complimentary subs during its VIP event and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, December 9, 2024.
Earlier this year, the American franchise, which boasts over 3,000 sub shops across the United States, partnered up with Canada’s multi-brand quick service restaurant franchisee, Redberry (operators of Burger King and Taco Bell), to build upwards of 300 Jersey Mike’s throughout the country.
Having opened up the first of many stores in Markham this past August, and another in North York in October, Ontario now also has Jersey Mike’s locations in Kitchener, London and Brantford.
The store, located on King George Road across from the LCBO in Brantford Commons plaza, is set to officially open its doors to the public on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
“We decided to open up our fifth location here in Brantford because it’s a great community that’s been really growing and we just think that the people of Brantford are going to love us,” said Ken Otto, Redberry CEO. “We’re in a really great location with the theatre, the Walmart, and the other great retailers here in the plaza so I think we’re going to do well.”
Speaking to what sets Jersey Mike’s apart from other sub shops, Otto said it’s the high quality ingredients that really steal the show.
“We slice every sub right in front of you as well as all the meats and the cheeses, and we cook our hot subs to order so nothing’s been just sitting there and the flavours are at their peak,” said Otto. “We’re really known for preparing our subs ‘Mike’s Way’ with lettuce, tomato and onion, as well as a splash of olive oil and red wine vinaigrette, and it’s just super awesome and super fresh. For the people that are aware of the brand from their travels in the US, they know, as we say, that it’s a ‘sub above’. When you see it and when you hold it, it’s heavier and it’s bigger; it just tastes different.”
Looking to give back to the local community, Jersey Mike’s will be hosting a three-day fundraiser for Child Hunger Brantford starting on opening day and running until Sunday, December 15.
In preparation for the fundraiser, ten franchise employees personally handed out around 5,000 special fundraiser coupons to the community so that when customers donate a minimum of three-dollars to Child Hunger Brantford in store, they get a free regular size sub in exchange for their contribution.
Dawn Hall, founder and president of Child Hunger Brantford, said she was excited for the opportunity to partner with the local franchise location.
“Our primary mission is to provide nutritious meals to children facing food insecurity and improve their quality of life,” said Hall. “Every morning we prepare snacks and lunches for kids, and we deliver them to their schools and their homes so that they have food for the day and can really just focus on learning and just being kids. Our organization is run solely by volunteers and so this partnership is really going to help us do what we do best.”
During the VIP event, Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, said he was thrilled to welcome Jersey Mike’s to Brantford, noting it was a vote of confidence in the city.
“When we have businesses that have been established outside the city and they come here because they see potential, it’s really a vote of confidence in Brantford,” said Davis. “To have new business here, especially one who brings new choices and more options for our residents, and is giving back to residents, it makes our community that much more interesting and diverse.”
For those looking forward to trying the new sub shop, Jersey Mike’s will officially open to the public on December 11 and the first 100 customers will receive a Jersey Mike’s drawstring sports pack.
Those who received their special fundraiser coupon are encouraged to bring them along, and for those who didn’t receive one, can download the Jersey Mike’s app and earn a free regular sub after their first in-app sub purchase.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
