Jimmy John Liautaud In the Press
With over 35 years running one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the country, Jimmy John Liautaud has been featured in major publications for his philanthropy and both professional and personal achievements. See what Jimmy is up to below!
10/15/2022 FORBES
These Are The Richest Americans Who Never Went To College
Jimmy John Liautaud opened the first Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in January 1983, just a few months after he graduated from high school. Liautaud’s Army veteran father gave him a choice of enlisting or starting a business after high school. He chose the latter.
Liautaud had a hard time in his high school classes because of undiagnosed dyslexia. He was “a real street kid,” he says of growing up in Cary, Illinois, which taught him a lot about hierarchy, honor and “the efficiency of being straight up.”
02/11/2020 Ideamensch.com
Jimmy John Liautaud – Founder of Jimmy John’s
Know your numbers, get the facts, then outwork the world!
Jimmy John Liautaud is the founder of Jimmy John’s, a sandwich chain that prides itself on “Freaky Fresh” ingredients and “Freaky Fast” service. In January 1983, he opened his first store. Through hard work, tenacity, good taste buds, and an eye for detail, Liautaud grew his business from one shop in Charleston, Illinois to 2,800 locations across the United States.
12/4/19 Inside Philanthropy
A Sandwich Chain Billionaire and His Family Gets More Strategic About Their Giving — Inside Philanthropy
Tapping a $1.7 billion restaurant fortune, Jimmy John Liautaud and his wife Leslie recently launched a family foundation. We talk with Liautaud about the story of the family’s philanthropic evolution and the personal forces driving it.
12/2/19 Passionate About Food
Jimmy John Liautaud Is Someone Living That All American Dream
Jimmy John Liautaud was able to tap into his own skills and do something that he knew he was good at in life.
11/20/19 Blog Talk Radio
As Franchising Gives Back, Jimmy John Liautaud is the Gift that Keeps on Giving!
Jimmy John’s Founder, Jimmy John Liautaud kicks this series off, with a powerful, first installment.
9/3/19 QSR Magazine
Inside Jimmy John’s “Freaky” New Changes
Jimmy John’s CEO, James North, shares his story about how he met Jimmy John Liautaud back in 1998 and how Liautaud’s huge personality and unabashed boldness eventually convinced North to move from New Zealand to America to work in his sandwich shops. In this article North shares the growth of Jimmy John’s and the changes that his long-time boss, Jimmy John Liautaud, have made to continue the brand’s tremendous success.
6/19/19 Inside Kellogg
Jimmy John Liautaud Speaks to Northwestern University Executive MBA students in Miami
Jimmy John Liautaud shares his life story and how he grew Jimmy John’s from scratch with Kellogg Executive MBA students.
5/1/19 Minnesota Hockey
Local Jimmy John’s Franchisees Partner With Minnesota Hockey
Local Jimmy John’s franchisees support young hockey players through a new partnership with Minnesota Hockey.
3/25/19 Ad Week
Jimmy John’s “Own the Zone” Campaign
Jimmy John’s intends to “Own the Zone” when it comes to deliveries.
3/4/19 Entrepreneur
Jimmy John Liautaud invests in Tiesta Tea.
Jimmy John Liautaud invests in Tiesta Tea, a new beverage company started by Dan Klein and Patrick Tannous.
2/7/19 AP News
Jimmy John’s promises to keep delivery services in-house and out of third-party hands.
Jimmy John’s recently announced that they won’t be using third-party services to deliver their sandwiches.
1/22/19 Business Insider
Jimmy John Liautaud donates to Camp Southern Ground
Read about Jimmy John Liautaud’s $22 million donation to Camp Southern Ground.
1/2/19 FORBES
When A Billionaire Needs A Boss: The Story Of The Jimmy John’s Sandwich Empire
Jimmy John Liautuad was recently covered by Forbes in a story discussing his entrepreneurial success and how Jimmy John’s came to be.
12/11/18 MyStateLine
Jimmy John’s founder pays off layaways at Illinois Walmart stores
With Christmas just weeks away, Jimmy John Liautaud surprises hundreds of Illinois residents with a generous gift.
10/27/18 US News
Nebraska Delivery Driver Who Helped Ailing Man Gets New Ride
Jimmy John Liautaud surprised one of his drivers with a new car after he drove an ailing man to the hospital.
3/15/18 CBS Denver
SWAT Team Gets New Coats Thanks To Sandwich Chain Founder
Jimmy John’s Founder, Jimmy John Liautaud, donated winter coats to the Eagle County Special Operations Unit.
1/9/18 News Gazette
Crisis Nursery kicks off new fundraising effort with $100,000 matching Gift
Jimmy John Liautaud and his wife agreed to match $100,000 in donations to the Crisis Nursery, an emergency child-care facility in Urbana.
12/21/17 News Gazette
UPDATED: Youth Assessment Center headed to west Champaign
Jimmy John Liautaud donates $50,000 to the Champaign County YouTh Assessment Center. The Center is a juvenile diversion program that helps kids get away from the criminal justice system.
12/15/17 News Gazette
Jimmy John Liautaud part of Horatio Alger Association’s Class of 2018
Jimmy John Liautaud is named in the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Class of 2018.
12/13/17 Chicago Business Journal
Jimmy John Liautaud, Horatio Alger Award winner, offers winning recipe for success
Jimmy John Liautaud becomes the 12th honoree to be named a Horatio Alger Award recipient.
12/11/17 QSR Magazine
Jimmy John Liautaud to Receive Horatio Alger Award
Jimmy John’s founder has become a member of the Horatio Alger Association, for overcoming significant challenges to achieve success both personally and professionally.
12/05/17 PR Newswire
Founder of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Jimmy John Liautaud, to Receive 2018 Horatio Alger Award
Jimmy John Liautaud is awarded the Horatio Alger Award.
10/7/17 News Gazette
Jimmy John’s founder ready to head to Great White North
Jimmy John Liautaud talks with local Champaign radio host about expanding Jimmy John’s to Canada.
3/22/17 Franchise Times
How Jimmy John’s landed FT’s deal of the year
Jimmy John Liautaud is awarded Franchise Times Dealmaker of the Year after selling majority stake in Jimmy John’s to Roark Capital.
7/3/16 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jimmy John’s founder gives $150,000 to Illinois trail project
Jimmy John Liautaud helps Kickapoo Rail Trail planners reach their fundraising goals.
11/3/15 Chicago Tribune
Jimmy John’s founder opens up on expansion and possible IPO
Jimmy John Liautaud discusses Jimmy John’s growth and possible international expansion.
No Date Champaign Parks
Jimmy John Liautaud: We are happy to help the park district help more kids
With a $125,000 donation, Jimmy John’s helps provide park programs to children in the Champaign area.
9/24/14 PR Newswire
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches To Donate $1 Million To Folds Of Honor Foundation
As a proud American company, Jimmy John’s donates $1 million to the great American charity, Folds of Honor Foundation.
12/30/08 NY Times
Troublesome Student Makes Good, and Honors Disciplinarian
Jimmy John Liautaud and his childhood mentor, Jim Lyons, reminisce on the challenges Jimmy faced at Elgin Academy.