New sandwich shop opens doors in city
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on June 11, 2013 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Frankie and Kim Warren talk about the eight weeks it took to get their new Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop open. The shop's grand opening is today.
Jimmy John's of Goldsboro is now open for business.
The sandwich shop opened today in Berkeley Commons, but owners Frankie and Kim Warren began working toward that goal last July.
The Warrens stopped in Jimmy John's when they needed a quick bite to eat, and before they sat down their subs were on the table.
Warren estimated that it took the workers under a minute to have the subs ready.
After their experience, they picked up a franchise flier and traveled to the Jimmy John's headquarters in Champaign, Ill., to train and gain the experience necessary to open a Jimmy John's themselves.
The renovation of the former Bailey's Jewelry store began on April 15.
"We started this as an investment of our money and for our family," Warren said. "We wanted to provide an opportunity for our family to have a place to work that provided opportunities for growth."
The Warrens both work for Hog Slat in Newton Grove, where Warren works in sales and Mrs. Warren is a certified personal accountant.
Warren said the restaurant currently has 32 people employed and he expects it to average out around 25 employees. There are approximately 1,700 Jimmy John's stores nationwide.
"Something that sets Jimmy John's apart is that we sample," Warren said. "We'll cut an eight-inch sub into thirds and take it to people around 10 or 10:30 to sample."
Mrs. Warren said this puts the thought of Jimmy John's in the customer's mind so around lunch time, "they're thinking of that sub they sampled and will come to Jimmy John's."
All ingredients used in the sandwich-making process are made fresh daily.
"Our general manager comes in at 6 a.m. and starts baking bread and slicing lettuce, tomatoes and onions," Warren said.
Warren added that the only ingredients that are not Jimmy John's brand are Hellmann's mayonnaise, Grey Poupon mustard and Chicken of the Sea tuna.
The franchise also takes inventory of every store once a week on Tuesday, Warren said -- the reason why they had to open today.
Jimmy John's will deliver anywhere within a five-minute radius, Warren. said
"When someone orders delivery we have to make and deliver their sandwich within 15 minutes," Warren said.
To ensure business performance, a business coach from Jimmy John's comes into their restaurant every four to six weeks.
"We never know when they're coming, so it keeps us on our toes," Warren said. "And it isn't like a guy comes in with a clipboard, grades the store and leaves. They work beside you all day and then tell you how you can improve."
Neither of the Warrens has been in the restaurant business, but both of them come from working backgrounds.
Warren grew up on a farm in Newton Grove while Mrs. Warren comes from a military family.
The couple says they would like to eventually open another Jimmy John's franchise in Goldsboro, possibly on Wayne Memorial Drive, and they expect their Berkeley Boulevard location to return their investment within five years.