Jimmy John’s Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1983

Franchising Since: 1993

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia

Estimated Number of Units: 2,645

Franchise Description: The franchisor is Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC. The franchisor’s parent company is Inspire Brands. The franchise is to operate a restaurant under the “Jimmy John’s” name that features high-quality deli sandwiches, fresh baked breads, and other food and beverage products.


Training Overview: Before the restaurant opens for business, the operations partner and on-site managers that franchisees have designated to become certified will be trained on the material aspects of operating a Jimmy John’s restaurant, excluding aspects relating to labor relations and employment practices. Three weeks of training (although training may be longer or shorter depending on the attendees’ experience and needs) will be provided at a designated training facility of the franchisor’s choice and/or at an operating Jimmy John’s restaurant. The operations partner also must successfully complete an apprenticeship program, which is four weeks long. When the restaurant is ready to open for business, the franchisor will, at its own cost, send a representative to the restaurant to assist during its initial opening period. The franchisor may require the operations partner and/or previously trained and experienced managers to attend and complete to its satisfaction any training courses it periodically chooses to provide during the franchise term, at the times and locations it designates.

Territory Granted: Franchisees will operate the restaurant at a specific location that the franchisor first must accept. Franchisees will not receive an exclusive territory. Franchisees also do not have any type of non-exclusive territory. Franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, from outlets that the franchisor owns, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands that the franchisor controls.

Obligations and Restrictions: Franchisees must at all times faithfully, honestly, and diligently perform their contractual obligations and use their best efforts to promote and enhance the restaurant and the Jimmy John’s brand. The owners must personally guarantee the obligations under the Franchise Agreement and agree to be bound personally by every contractual provision, whether containing monetary or non-monetary obligations, including the covenant not to compete. Franchisees must offer and sell all menu items and perform all services the franchisor periodically requires for Jimmy John's restaurants. Franchisees may not offer or sell any products or perform any services the franchisor has not authorized.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is 10 years from the day on which restaurant first opens to the public for business. If franchisees are in full compliance, they may acquire one successor franchise on the then current terms (which may be materially different) for the shorter of 10 years or the lease term.

Financial Assistance: The franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing. The franchisor does not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease, or obligation.

Estimated Initial Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$35,000	$35,000
Real Estate/Rent (1 month)	$2,500	$8,000
Security Deposit	$2,500	$8,000
Leasehold Improvements	$115,000	$310,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Signage, and Equipment (including Computer/ Point-of-Sale System)	$120,000	$215,000
Architect	$9,500	$22,000
Office Equipment	$2,200	$2,200
Utility Deposits	$1,000	$2,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies	$6,000	$6,000
Grand Opening Event	$3,000	$5,000
Training Expenses (out-of-pocket costs for up to 3 people)	$6,000	$15,000
Insurance	$11,500	$15,000
Miscellaneous Expenses	$2,000	$10,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$50,000	$75,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL (excluding real estate purchase costs)	$366,200	$728,200

 
Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty	6% of restaurant’s weekly gross sales.
Advertising and Development Fund	Up to 4.5% of restaurant's weekly gross sales (currently the full 4.5%) or 2.25% for non-traditional locations.
Cooperative Advertising Programs	Up to 2% of restaurant's gross sales.
Successor Franchise	$10,000
1-week or 3-week Certified Management Training Program for New, Additional, or Repeat Trainees	Currently $1,500 (or $2,000 for expelled trainee re-attending); the franchisor may increase this fee and charge up to $5,000.
New Training and Additional Guidance or Support	Currently $400 per person per day plus expenses if provided at the franchisor’s location; currently $600 per person per day plus expenses if provided at the franchisee’s restaurant; the franchisor may increase this per-person, per-day fee and charge up to $1,000.
District Manager Training	Currently $2,000; the franchisor may increase this fee and charge up to $5,000.
Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer	$2,500, $7,500, or $12,500
Non-Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer	$1,000
Product and Service Purchases	Varies.
Testing	Costs of testing (amount of which depends on circumstances, including supplier's location, testing required, and item involved).
Relocation	$2,500 plus costs and expenses.
Computer Systems, Maintenance and Support	Cost of service.
Franchisee Convention	Up to $500.
Regional Advisory Council	Council assessments.
Audit	Cost of inspection or audit (amount of which depends on circumstances and extent of the franchisee’s non-compliance).
Interest	Lesser of 1.5% per month or highest commercial contract interest rate law allows.
Non-Approved Restaurant Opening	$2,500 for each day restaurant is open without the franchisor’s approval.
Non-Compliance	$250 - $1,000 for deviations from operational requirement/brand standards.
Unauthorized Advertising Fee	$1,000 per occurrence.
Late Fee	10% of original amount due but not paid on time.
Confidential Operations Manual	$500
Management Fee	$600 per person per day (plus costs and expenses).
Costs and Attorneys’ Fees	Will vary under circumstances and depend on nature of the non-compliance.
Indemnification	Will vary under circumstances and depend on nature of third-party claim.
Liquidated Damage	See FDD.
Maintenance Cost Reimbursement	$600 per day plus costs and expenses.
Customer Complaint Reimbursement	Out-of-pocket cost reimbursement.
Insurance Reimbursement	Out-of-pocket cost reimbursement.
Tax Reimbursement	Out-of-pocket cost reimbursement.
De-identification Reimbursement	Out-of-pocket cost reimbursement.

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of Jimmy John's. Year of FDD: 2025.
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