Jimmy John's readies two Winnipeg links in sandwich chain
Until last year, sandwich chain Jimmy John's franchises were found solely in the United States. It's since been expanding within Canada — and at least two locations could open in Winnipeg this fall.
Posters displaying sandwiches — perhaps not the Turkey Tom, but meaty options — plaster 1740 Pembina Hwy. and 1430 Ellice Ave. Both sites were construction zones Monday.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Jimmy John's, a U.S. sandwich chain, is opening in Winnipeg at 1430 Ellice Ave.
Jimmy John's stayed mum on details but confirmed 'several' eateries are planned. Autumn could bring opening dates, the company shared. It will release more information nationally in upcoming weeks.
Last year, the chain's parent company, Inspire Brands LLC, announced it would use a franchise model for a Canadian expansion. Just one Canadian location has launched thus far, in Toronto.
'I think this is a good fit for our local community looking for more restaurants,' said Sijie Sun, a University of Manitoba marketing professor.
He asks his students to choose brands they'd like to bring to Winnipeg for a class project; Jimmy John's is often mentioned, Sun said.
The Illinois-based company started in 1983 with four sandwich types. It now counts more than 2,000 stores and a slate of choices, including 'unwiches,' where buns are swapped for lettuce exteriors.
The Winnipeg market will be competitive, Sun noted: Subway, Firehouse Subs and Tim Hortons are among the big sandwich-selling chains already in town.
'If there's more options, definitely people try the new one,' Sun said, adding brands create loyal customers.
He's noticed American-born chains advertising local leadership at their Winnipeg hubs as a U.S.-Canada trade war persists. Grocery stores are labelling Canadian products as shoppers turn from U.S. imports.
Jimmy John's will likely highlight its own connection with Canada, Sun said.
'I think this is a good fit for our local community looking for more restaurants.'–Sijie Sun
'You almost wonder, is this a good time (to come)?' added Wenlong Yuan, the Stu Clark chair in entrepreneurship and innovation at the U of M. 'Are they going to be damaged because of this political issue?'
Arby's and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations opened within the past four months, amid a 'Buy Canadian' push. Arby's ran out of meat on its first day due to demand; Freddy's was met with great anticipation.
It's 'really hard to tell' whether companies are being stunted by a Canada-first sentiment, Yuan stated.
U.S. chains including Krispy Kreme and Firehouse Subs have arrived in Winnipeg over the past 1.5 years. Winnipeg's size and diverse population can be a draw for businesses wanting to try operating in Canada, Yuan said.
Franchisees may be locals wanting to bring the brand home or they may have experienced Winnipeg via family and friends.
Inspire Brands tapped Foodtastic Inc., a Canadian franchisor, to expand Jimmy John's across Canada. Inspire Brands houses labels like Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings and Dunkin'.
Foodtastic counted more than 1,100 restaurants in January 2024 — the month of the deal's announcement — and $1.1 billion in sales. The Montreal-based company umbrellas Freshii, Second Cup Café and Pita Pit, among others.
Jimmy John's Toronto location opened in November 2024. In September and October, the chain unrolled in El Salvador and South Korea.
In Winnipeg, it's taking a former Urban Barn space off Ellice Avenue.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Jimmy John's is also opening a location at 1-1740 Pembina Hwy.
'I think another restaurant always brings in more people to the area,' said Desiree Rafael, an employee at neighbouring Acuity Vision Care. 'If they see that there is an optometry practice by where they're eating, then maybe they'll be inclined to come get their eyes checked.'
The Jimmy John's off Pembina Highway replaces a Macao Imperial Tea.
Jimmy John's wouldn't comment on whether more Manitoba shops are coming.
Redberry Restaurants, parent company of sandwich brand Jersey Mike's Subs, said in January 2024 it aimed to open 300 Canadian locations by 2034. Redberry Restaurants didn't respond to questions about Winnipeg plans by print deadline.
gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com
Monday Mornings
The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week.
Gabrielle PichéReporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
5 minutes ago
- CBC
Vancouver Island ship dismantling company has water access revoked
A shipbreaking company in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island has just had its access to the ocean shut down. The provincial government has cancelled the crown lease of Deep Water Recovery, a company that takes apart derelict vessels in Union Bay, south of Comox. The province said in a statement that the move is to "protect the public interest." "Deep Water Recovery has not demonstrated the level of regulatory compliance, operational responsibility, or environmental stewardship required to justify entrusting them with the use of Crown land to enable management and dismantling of end-of-life vessels," said the statement. The company has faced scrutiny and controversy in the past after receiving a stop-pollution order for allowing toxic effluent runoff into the surrounding marine environment. Daniel Arbour, Comox Valley Regional District Director, says he was surprised and relieved by the decision. "This is an issue that has been going on for quite a few years, and it was incredible to see this kind of decisive action from the province," said Arbour. The district is also attempting to stop the company operating in Union Bay, saying it was contravening bylaws by dismantling barges at the site. Arbour says while the company owns the land it operates on, losing access to the water is a step in the right direction. "To see the province step in on the water is definitely very consequential, I think for the long-term prospects of the company." Arbour said that while shipbreaking needs to happen, it should be done in a safe and responsible way, adding that Canadian regulations around shipbreaking are weak and should be stricter. Concerned citizens celebrate Residents who have been monitoring the company had formed a group, the Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound. President Ian Munro told Chek News members of the group feel vindicated given the action that's been taken. "It's a big step, you know, that we have the government saying this can no longer continue," he said.
Calgary Herald
6 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
Alberta municipalities tops in per capita spending, according to study
Article content He pointed to last summer's water feeder main break in Calgary which led to costly repairs, even though the city reported a surplus of $276 million in 2024 — up seven per cent from the previous year. Article content While it may be prudent to ensure cash reserves in case of sudden need, 'it's not obvious why these need to grow year after year,' said Thompson. Article content The study didn't compare specific municipalities' revenues and spending, but information provided by the City of Calgary shows its consolidated expenses grew from $3.87 billion in 2018 to $4.658 billion in 2023, the latter a seven per cent increase over 2022. Article content The city says the municipal share of its tax increases over 2021-2025 are 2.7 per cent, less than those in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Ottawa. Article content That has come amid considerable demographic growth, particularly in more recent years — increases that have brought Calgary's population to around 1.6 million, say city officials. Article content Calgary has no choice but to maintain a cash reserve and even increase it for now, said Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot. Article content 'It's actually one of our requirements, to maintain the credit rating we have,' said Chabot. Article content 'Without that, our lending rate would go up exponentially.' Article content Another challenge facing the city that's not entirely within its control is salaries, which make up 60 per cent of operating costs, with 50 per cent of those expenditures being union pay, he said. Article content 'We are not playing the same way as the average household (in cutting costs) — if we resist, we get taken to court and it could go to binding arbitration,' said Chabot. Article content He expressed confidence that reports show Calgary taxpayers do get good value for their money compared to those in other larger Canadian cities. Article content Article content But he said the city has been too quick to accept costly responsibilities downloaded onto it by the province, which has become an issue leading up to the municipal election in October. Article content That downloading has ultimately added $176 million to city expenses annually, said Chabot. Article content 'We've automatically moved those into base budgeting which results in tax increases,' said Chabot, adding the city needs to strongly lobby the province on the matter. Article content Ideally, the city would fund those responsibilities on a one-time basis before they're reassumed by the province. Article content One example, he said, is the low-income transit pass that costs the city $54 million, with only $6 million of that picked up by the province. Article content But Chabot said he's not satisfied with how a reorganization of city operations has been carried out, particularly the lack of transparency of how efficiencies are being enhanced. Article content 'I'm disappointed with what we've received from a communications standpoint and I'd like to get administration to share a report with the public,' he said. Article content
CTV News
31 minutes ago
- CTV News
Hudson's Bay lender fighting retailer's Ruby Liu deal, seeking ‘super monitor': docs
Hudson's Bay signage is pictured in the financial district in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj TORONTO — One of Hudson's Bay's biggest lenders is asking a court to stop the defunct retailer from selling up to 25 of its leases to a B.C. billionaire and appoint a 'super monitor' to more speedily liquidate the remainder of its assets. A new court motion filed by investment manager Restore Capital LLC says the deal the Bay reached with Ruby Liu should be terminated because trying to get landlord approvals to transfer the leases has been costly and fruitless. Liu signed two deals with the Bay in May. The court last month approved the $6 million sale of three leases for stores at B.C. malls she owned. The second deal was for up to 25 more leases in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. Landlords at the properties have overwhelmingly opposed taking on Liu as a tenant because they say she has not provided them with a practical business plan. Restore's motion says the Bay has 'frittered away' its collateral because the retailer has incurred exorbitant rent costs and professional fees in its efforts to get landlords on board but has yet to secure support or seek court approval. Restore wants the court to expand the powers of a monitor appointed to guide the Bay through CCAA, so the company can be wound down. If the court doesn't agree to a 'super monitor' arrangement, it suggests appointing Richter Consulting Inc. as a receiver. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025 Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
