2 Sandwich Brands Make International Plans

Two U.S.-based sandwich brands announced international expansion plans on Jan. 17. Here are the details:

• Jersey Mike’s Subs signed an area director and development agreement with Redberry Restaurants, one of Canada’s largest restaurant operators. The deal will lead to 300 Jersey Mike’s restaurants across Canada by 2034. It marks the first major international expansion for the brand in its 68-year history. Redberry also will purchase the two existing Jersey Mike’s locations in Kitchener and London and will open five new Jersey Mike’s in Ontario in 2024, forming the foundation for rapid new store growth, the brand says. The Kitchener and London locations will be completely remodeled in early 2024 to reflect Jersey Mike’s new image. Overall, Jersey Mike’s has more than 3,000 locations open and in development nationwide.
• Jimmy John’s, part of Inspire Brands, has signed two international agreements, for Canada and Latin America. Both operators—Foodtastic and Franquicias Internacionales—possess significant QSR experience and have established extensive footprints throughout Canada and Latin America, the release states. (The brand didn’t share the number of planned openings.) Jimmy John’s will lean on Inspire for support in its global journey. As a multi-brand restaurant company with more than 32,000 locations worldwide, including Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and SONIC, Inspire has a robust international presence, with more than 9,900 locations. Jimmy John’s has more than 2,600 restaurants in 48 states.

Related to Canada, fast-casual seafood restaurant brand Captain D’s recently shared it had signed its first-ever franchise development agreement in the country.