Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, will open in Jonesboro, Georgia, on Wednesday. Franchise owners Van and Chrystal Jakes will hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday to Sunday to support Lovejoy High School.

The new restaurant, located at 10359 Tara Boulevard, is circulating 7,500 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 donation to Lovejoy High School. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible. 

“During our grand opening fundraiser we will be partnering with Lovejoy High School Football Booster,” Jakes says. “We look forward to sharing the Jersey Mike’s experience and getting our customers addicted to the juice.”

Jakes, an eight-year NFL veteran, has several decades of restaurant industry experience. He and his wife Chrystal opened their first Jersey Mike’s location in August in Hiram, Georgia, and plan to open several more in the area.

Previously, Jakes owned and operated 11 McDonald’s restaurants in the Greater Atlanta Metro Area, where he received numerous company accolades including an Outstanding Owner Operator Award and Outstanding Contributor Award. Other community recognition includes being named Entrepreneur of The Year Blueprint Award by the Women Looking Ahead Organization; Outstanding Citizen Award from Atlanta Governor Roy Barnes; and, in 2015, the NAACP Benjamin Hooks Award for Outstanding Service In The Community.

Jakes also helps other professional athletes make a successful transition from sports into business ownership through his work with organizations such as IFA’s Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative (PAFI). Additionally, last year, he participated in “NFL Boot Camp: Franchising” at the University of Michigan, part of a series of career training programs and internship opportunities for current and former NFL players.

“I really want to educate, motivate, manage and cultivate former athletes to find success off the field,” Jakes says. “I was working at McDonald’s when I first heard of Jersey Mike’s, learning about other brands to introduce to the players. I was impressed by the passion behind the brand and now I’m not just telling potential franchise owners about the success of Jersey Mike’s—I’m showing them.”

Team Jakes shares the company’s commitment to quality products and exceptional customer service, and who are dedicated to giving back to the local community. Since 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the country have raised nearly $18 million for worthy local charities and have distributed more than 1.5 million free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes. This year, the company’s 6th Annual Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving in March raised more than $4 million for 180 charities throughout the country.

Started in 1956, Jersey Mike’s now has 1,500 restaurants open and under development nationwide.

The growth is fueled by passionate Jersey Mike’s fans who crave their subs made Mike’s Way with the freshest vegetables—onions, lettuce and tomatoes—topped off with an exquisite zing of “the juice”—red wine vinegar and olive oil blended to perfection. Jersey Mike’s premium meats and cheeses are sliced on the spot, piled high on in-store baked bread and served up with a helping of neighborly banter from a dedicated and high-energy team.

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