Jersey Mike’s Subs has signed multi-unit development agreements with restaurant industry veterans Steve Rosenfield and Linda Nash Rosenfield, who currently own and operate 99 Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Restaurants throughout the country, and Terry Nordenstrom, a former 30-year Domino’s Pizza franchisee. This supports the sub chain’s strategy to expand in select U.S.markets with franchise partners who have track records of building strong brands and are committed to the company’s focus on product and service excellence.
Rosenfield and Nash Rosenfield plan to open 10 Jersey Mike’s units in the Phoenix area in the next five years as part of their Rosenfield Restaurants group. The first unit is expected to open by the end of the year. Nordenstrom plans to open and operate 10 restaurants in the West Houston area.
“I was first a fan of the Jersey Mike’s concept as a consumer,” says Rosenfield, who also plans to expand into other markets. “Management, product, profitability, and consumer reaction are all the important points I look for – and Jersey Mike’s scored high on all those. Linda and I are totally committed – it’s full steam ahead.”
Principal and president of the Rosenfield Restaurants, Mr. Rosenfield has more than 40 years of restaurant and real estate experience: he started his career at the age of 18 and previously was a franchisee with McDonald’s, Burger King and Tony Roma’s in Southern California. Currently he is a franchisee of Carl Karcher Enterprises (CKE), operating the Carl's Jr. and Hardee’s brands in several states. His expertise is in the strategic financial and operational turnaround of restaurant portfolios, as noted in his first Hardee’s acquisition in Montana/Wyoming – this DMA now boasts the highest average unit sales volume in the entire Hardee’s system.
Ms. Nash Rosenfield is vice president of legal affairs and business development at Rosenfield. She has 30 years of experience as CEO and vice president in the medical device industry for multibillion dollar corporations. She also worked in the mergers and acquisitions team at several companies, as well as Rosenfield Restaurants.
Another experienced foodservice operator, Mr. Nordenstrom built and operated 28 Domino’s Pizza stores in six Midwest states and opened the first Domino’s locations in both North Dakota and South Dakota. He has won multiple Domino’s franchise awards for sales, operational excellence, and customer service, and was the 1999 Entrepreneurial Success Award winner for North Dakota, presented by the Small Business Administration.
“I met Peter Cancro [Jersey Mike’s Founder] and was impressed by his commitment to quality products, service, and support of the local community,” Nordenstrom says. “Jersey Mike’s subs are best in class and I am excited to work with a company that is perceived as having such a high quality product.”
From 2005-2008, Nordenstrom served as a board member and chairman of the Board of Domino’s Franchisee Association. He was also appointed by the city of Fargo Mayor to the position of Planning Commissioner from 2003-2008.
“We are excited to partner with Steve, Linda, and Terry to grow the Jersey Mike’s brand,” says Brian Sommers, franchise development, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems. “They are outstanding operators with multi-unit experience who are passionate about the brand, care about their local communities, and understand the value of a proven system. The combination of attracting proven operators throughout the quick-serve industry, and growing with franchisees within our own system, continues to strengthen our brand.”
This year, the company has also awarded 15 existing franchisees an additional 50 locations in 10 markets.
