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Peter Cancro , CEO of Jersey Mike ’ s Franchise Systems Inc .
due to the pandemic . Since 2011 , Jersey Mike ’ s has raised almost $ 50 million for local charities with no sign of slowing .
Teaching the crews to interact and talk with the customer , to share a passion for getting to know the customer , is another aspect of the Jersey Mike ’ s culture . This customer-centric approach builds brand loyalty and fosters a connection between the store and the local community . “ Customers know we ’ re a chain , but we don ’ t feel like one . We ’ re the non-chain chain ,” Cancro quips .
The third piece of the Jersey Mike ’ s culture is to treat employees and owners as family . As part of the vetting process , potential franchisees spend time in one of the Jersey Mike ’ s stores so they can see what it ’ s like to run one . This gives the Mike ’ s team a chance to get a sense of the prospect . “ Sometimes people with an impressive business background and financial qualifications are missing something . Franchisees need to fit , they must possess the ability to pull the staff along with their energy , not push them ,” relates Cancro . “ It ’ s difficult to describe what I ’ m looking for . I ’ ve seen what works and what doesn ’ t ; it ’ s a gut feeling I have .”
Among the fastest growing franchising operations in the country , Jersey Mike ’ s exports passion for the product , passion for the customer and most importantly passion for giving . The company expects to add more than 1,000 new stores within the next three years . This growth will come from new or existing franchisees , as well as from their unprecedented plan to grow owners from within the organization .
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Photo : Clear Tunnels
Cancro and his team regularly visit each of the Jersey Mike ’ s stores around the country . During these visits , they scout the most talented workers and offer them the opportunity to own a restaurant . Named after the man who gave Cancro his start , the Coach Rod Smith Ownership Program provides an opportunity to convert employees into owners . The goal of the program is to grow 100 new owners per year from within the organization . The program includes co-signing the lease and loan agreements for the new stores that cost about $ 375,000 to
“ Customers know we ’ re a chain , but we don ’ t feel like one . We ’ re the nonchain chain .”
build , handling the books , teaching , training and even helping to scout locations for the new stores . While many corporations claim to treat their employees like family , Jersey Mike ’ s lives by its commitment . Managers at their corporate stores are given a generous salary and enjoy a good quality of life . Cancro contends , “ Every business is about relationships and people . If you put people first , you pull people with you .”
To further demonstrate the company ’ s commitment to owners , Cancro approved the investment of more than $ 180 million to retrofit every store in the chain . While the franchise agreement puts the onus on the owners to fund updates , the team decided to spend around $ 75,000 on each of its franchise partners ’ units , implementing new technology , updating the look and tweaking the menu . Cancro , explains that owners are considered part of the Jersey Mike ’ s team , so they should be treated as such . “ The company mantra is giving , making a difference in someone ’ s life . If I ’ m going to say that , then we ’ ve got to be all in . This is a new beginning — this kind of re-launches the company like nothing else . Instead of waiting three , four , five years , we know we can do it right away . We ’ ll shut down on a Monday night and reopen on a Friday .” Owners were in tears when he announced the plan . The initiative , completed in a mere 18 months , has boosted unit sales and fueled expansion . With the increased cash flow , current franchisees can build more stores ; the investment paid for itself in just two years .
The first part of our day with the charismatic CEO concluded , we took the short ride to the Jersey Mike ’ s location on Main Street in Belmar for lunch . The hype isn ’ t exaggerated ; Jersey Mike ’ s makes an excellent sandwich . After a short meeting with an Asbury non-profit Interfaith Neighbors , Cancro joined us at the restaurant for the photo shoot where he jumped behind the counter , and made sandwiches while engaging in banter with the customers . Struck by his easy nature and genuine charm , it ’ s easy to see how this nice guy has managed to finish first .
The Jersey Mike ' s team takes a moment to pose with the CIANJ crew , who were happy to take a sampling of goodies home with them .
Photo : Clear Tunnels