TORONTO — American-sandwich brand Jimmy John’s opened its first Canadian location yesterday in Etobicoke, Ont. Its debut in Canada reflects the brand’s commitment to growing across the country with Montreal-based Foodtastic. The brand is part of the Inspire Brands portfolio, which includes more than 32,600 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’ and Sonic locations around the world.
Jimmy John’s uses premium meats and fresh vegetables that are hand-sliced in-house every day, along with freshly baked bread. The menu includes a mix of classic, cold-cut sandwiches and a lineup of new signature sandwiches. Guests have the option to toast any sandwich on the menu and choose between fresh-baked bread or the “Unwich” lettuce wrap.
In total, there are 15 sandwiches on the Canadian menu. Favourites include the Meatball Parmesan topped with marinara, melted provolone and parmesan cheeses on toasted garlic-butter bread; the Chicken Bacon Ranch with shredded chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese ranch dressing and arugula; and the Turkey Tom, which is a number-1 seller in the U.S.
“We recognize exceptional brands and products when we see (and taste) them,” says Peter Mammas, president & CEO, Foodtastic. “The bold flavours and diverse menu at Jimmy John’s are truly unmatched, and we’re confident they’ll keep our guests coming back for more.”
“Canada is one of the largest sandwich markets in the world, and we couldn’t ask for a better franchisee than Foodtastic,” says Michael Haley, president and managing director, International for Inspire Brands. “Canadian consumers are hungry for Jimmy John’s straightforward approach to making delicious sandwiches on their terms — a blend of quality ingredients and convenience that’s second to none.”
Jimmy John’s expansion into Canada marks another step forward in its recent international growth journey, which began earlier this year. The brand made its international debut in El Salvador in September and South Korea in October, and aims to open additional international markets in 2025.
