Who Owns Jersey Mike's?
Jersey Mike's is owned by Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc., a privately held American restaurant company founded in 1956. The company operates as a submarine sandwich franchise chain. Jersey Mike's is headquartered in Manasquan, New Jersey, USA.
Parent Company
Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc.
Founded
1956
Status
Private
Headquarters
Manasquan, New Jersey, USA
Who Owns Jersey Mike's?
- Parent Company: Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Private company
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey Mike's | Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc. | Private company |
History of Jersey Mike's
- Founded: 1956
- Founders: Peter Cancro
Jersey Mike's was founded in 1956 by Peter Cancro in Manasquan, New Jersey. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for quick-service restaurants solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the quick-service restaurants category for generations. The original concept focused on submarine sandwiches made with fresh ingredients and customizable options. This strategic positioning demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to create differentiated quick-service restaurants solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. The restaurant quickly gained popularity in the local New Jersey market and became known for quality submarine sandwich offerings.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Jersey Mike's expanded beyond its original New Jersey location, establishing a franchise system. This period of excellence demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple quick-service restaurants segments. The company grew steadily through franchise partnerships while maintaining quality standards across locations. This strategic diversification demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the quick-service restaurants industry. Jersey Mike's maintained its focus on fresh ingredients and customizable sandwiches as key differentiators.
In recent years, Jersey Mike's has experienced significant expansion, becoming one of the largest submarine sandwich chains in the United States. This continued evolution demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing quick-service restaurants requirements and technological advancements. The company has maintained its commitment to fresh ingredients and has expanded its menu offerings while preserving its core submarine sandwich concept. This continued excellence demonstrates Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing quick-service restaurants dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to integrate into larger quick-service restaurants corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the restaurant industry. Jersey Mike's continues to grow through franchise expansion across multiple states. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of submarine sandwiches and consumer-focused quick-service solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Jersey Mike's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct quick-service restaurants identity and market leadership.
About Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc.
Who owns Jersey Mike's?
Jersey Mike's is primarily owned by Blackstone, the private equity firm, which acquired a majority stake in 2023 in a deal valuing the company at approximately $8 billion. Peter Cancro, who has owned and operated Jersey Mike's since 1975, retained a significant stake and continues as CEO.
Who founded Jersey Mike's?
The original Jersey Mike's location was opened in 1956 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as "Mike's Subs" by Mike and Marion Manzo. Peter Cancro purchased the shop in 1975 at age 17 with a loan from his football coach and renamed it Jersey Mike's. Cancro has grown the chain from a single location to more than 2,800 locations.
How many Jersey Mike's locations are there?
Jersey Mike's operates more than 2,800 locations across the United States as of 2025. The chain has been one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US, adding hundreds of locations annually in recent years.
What makes Jersey Mike's different from Subway?
Jersey Mike's differentiates from Subway primarily through its fresh-sliced meats and cheeses, which are sliced to order at each location rather than pre-packaged. Jersey Mike's also uses freshly baked bread and emphasizes quality ingredients. The chain's "Mike's Way" preparation style (shredded lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and spices) is a signature offering.
Is Jersey Mike's publicly traded?
No, Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc. is privately held. The company is majority-owned by Blackstone following its 2023 acquisition, with Peter Cancro retaining a significant stake. Jersey Mike's is not listed on any stock exchange.
Where is Jersey Mike's headquartered?
Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc. is headquartered in Manasquan, New Jersey, USA, near the original Point Pleasant Beach location where the chain was founded in 1956.
- Founded: 1956
- Headquarters: Manasquan, New Jersey, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Jersey Mike's Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Manasquan, New Jersey, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Jersey Mike's Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Established brand with over 65 years of market presence
- +Strong franchise model supporting rapid expansion
- +Emphasis on fresh ingredients differentiating from competitors
- +Customizable menu appealing to diverse customer preferences
- +Significant growth trajectory in submarine sandwich market
- +Strong brand loyalty among customers
Considerations
- -Intense competition in quick-service sandwich market
- -Dependence on franchise partner quality and execution
- -Commodity price volatility affecting ingredient costs
- -Operational complexity managing franchise locations
- -Dependence on discretionary consumer spending
- -Market saturation in some regions
Frequently Asked Questions About Jersey Mike's
Competitors to Jersey Mike's
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Taco Inc | USA | 1964 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Freddys Frozen Custard Steakburgers Inc | USA | 2002 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

Del Taco
Owned by Unknown Company
American fast-casual Mexican-inspired restaurant chain offering tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-American cuisine.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Owned by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in frozen custard, steakburgers, and hot dogs.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Jersey Mike's competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Jobs at Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems, Inc.
Latest News About Jersey Mike's
Related Articles About Jersey Mike's
View more articlesThe Private Equity Takeover of Consumer Brands
Private equity firms now own thousands of consumer brands. Learn how PE reshapes the products you buy, from beauty to food to retail, and what it means.
Fast Food Ownership: Who Owns Your Favorite Restaurant?
From McDonald's to KFC to Taco Bell, discover which corporations own the biggest fast food chains and how restaurant ownership shapes what you eat.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the quick-service-restaurants category and related searches from other users.

Del Taco
American fast-casual Mexican-inspired restaurant chain offering tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-American cuisine.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in frozen custard, steakburgers, and hot dogs.

Panda Express
American fast-casual Chinese-American restaurant chain offering wok-prepared dishes and Asian-inspired cuisine.

