Local franchisee expands, plans five more Jersey Mike's openings

Ormond Beach Observer
Business

By the end of 2014, there will be 10 Jersey Mike's Subs locations between Port Orange and Jacksonville, part of the Ormond Beach franchisee's expansion plan.

BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER

Ormond Beach franchisee Steve Hole has a plan for his chain of Jersey Mike's Subs.

With two locations set to open this year, Hole and his partner, George Ebbs, an ex-Ormond Beach resident and former president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will have seven total locations between Port Orange and Jacksonville.

But next year, the pair intend to open another three shops, bringing their franchise total to 10.

Hole and Ebbs' first Jersey Mike's opened three years ago, in Daytona Beach. They opened in Ormond the following year, at 1474 W. Granada Blvd. Their most recent location opened last week, in Jacksonville.

And so far, the partners say everything is going according to plan. Before the end of the year, they will open another Jacksonville location, as well as a store in Palm Coast, where they have signed a letter of intent.

“It’s a captive market,” he said. “People in Palm Coast generally stay in Palm Coast and eat in Palm Coast. We’re excited about that market.”

Currently, Hole and Ebbs employ approximately 70 people at their five locations.

“Obviously, we wanted a return on our invest,” Hole said, adding that 10 openings was part of his and Ebbs' commitment on purchasing the franchise. “But we wanted to do it with a company that was doing good things.”

On March 27, all 750 Jersey Mike's locations will donate 100% of their sales to local charities, as part of the company’s Month of Giving initiative.

The Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and Port Orange locations will donate their sales to Hugz for Bugz, a charity for families coping with childhood cancer. The Jacksonville locations will donate their sales to Big Brother and Big Sister of Jacksonville.

Hole estimates his five operating locations will donate a total of about $11,000 on that day, in addition to other money raised throughout the month.

When Hole and Ebbs' expansion is complete, the majority of their locations will be in Jacksonville, where they have so far seen success.

“Jacksonville is a sandwich-eating city,” he said. “I’ve never come across anything like it in my life. Firehouse Subs was founded there. Jimmy John’s is there. The market is great.”