WEST LONG BRANCH – Jersey Mike’s Subs has reported the success of its first campus-based sub location at Monmouth University.
Earlier this year, the company announced a focus on bringing the growing chain to non-traditional markets including airports/travel centers, casinos and universities throughout the country.
The Jersey Mike’s Subs franchise at Monmouth University, which opened in September, just wrapped up its first academic year at the Rebecca Stafford Center Food Court. With approximately 6,000 students, 1,000 employees and more than 180,000 visitors to campus annually, the experience was a success as the sub sandwiches proved to be popular with students, staff and guests.
Jersey Mike’s outpaced the other six station food court units and stand-alone Grille Works, accounting for 27 percent of all food sales in the student center building. It is consistently ranked No. 1 in satisfaction surveys.
“Jersey Mike’s has been widely accepted by students,” said Mary Anne Nagy, vice president for student life and leadership engagement. “It is a wonderful addition to our food court in the student center and the ease of operation fits in well with our dining service, operated by ARAMARK.”
The West Long Branch location sits just miles away from Jersey Mike’s home office, now headquartered in Manasquan. Started at the Jersey Shore in Point Pleasant in 1956, Jersey Mike’s has nearly doubled in size in just three years. The company saw record-breaking growth in 2013, opening 140 new locations with unit growth of 22 percent. The sub chain now has 1,300 restaurants open and under development nationwide.
Founder and chief executive officer of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems Peter Cancro, who grew up in Point Pleasant, has a special connection to the university. He was named Monmouth University’s 2014 Distinguished Business Leader for his corporate and civic leadership at its annual award dinner on March 20, during Jersey Mike’s annual “Month of Giving” and a few days before Jersey Mike’s national “Day of Giving.”
Jersey Mike’s opened its first nontraditional market location in 2013. Last year, in addition to its Monmouth University location, Jersey Mike’s opened in McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Newark Liberty International Airport and Amtrak’s historic 30th Street Station in downtown Philadelphia.
