Jersey sub shop opens franchise on Glenstone

A former Las Vegas attorney today opened the first of three planned Jersey Mike's Subs shops in Springfield directly south of Plaza Towers.

Franchisee Craig Rankin - who co-owns franchise company JM Ozarks LLC with his wife, Cathy, a human resources manager for Expedia in Springfield - invested roughly $350,000 to launch the first store, 1903 S. Glenstone Ave., which he started working toward about a year ago. A former attorney with national law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Rankin moved to Springfield from Las Vegas four years ago, and after a work hiatus, he was ready to get into the restaurant business. The Rankins knew the Jersey Mike's brand well growing up in New Jersey and spending many summers on the Jersey shore.

"Jersey Mike's has always been in the back of my mind," Rankin said of the concept with Jersey-styled interiors.

The husband-and-wife franchise owners lease the store - a former Lenny's Sub Shop - from Plaza Towers LLC for $3,300 per month, Rankin said. He paid a lump sum of $50,000 to the franchisor for the three-store deal, with plans to open a second location in early 2015 and a third by the end of next year.

Under Operations Manager Jose Luna, the store at Plaza Towers Center employs 21.

Opening its doors at 10 a.m., the first franchise in the Queen City partnered with The Kitchen Inc. to provide donations to the nonprofit and publicity for the 2,600-square-foot shop. Rankin said 10,000 coupons are circulating in the community, giving participants a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to The Kitchen. It's a tradition to partner with charities for new store openings by Manasquan, N.J.-based chain Jersey Mike's, which has 1,300 restaurants open and under development in the U.S. and annual sales of roughly $200 million.

"We don't want the Wal-Mart mentality where we're resented right off the bat," said Rankin.

He said Jersey Mike's specializes in fresh-sliced meats and produce, as well as daily baked breads.

"There's nothing that hasn't been prepared that morning or when you come in," Rankin said.

The store sells hot and cold subs - ranging from a $4.55 mini to a $10.95 giant - as well as wraps and the breadless Sub in a Tub.[[In-content Ad]]