Jimmy John Liautaud

Jimmy John Liautaud, renowned as the founder of his Gourmet Sandwiches, is not just a business tycoon but also a dedicated philanthropist. Along with his wife Leslie and their children, he established the Liautaud Family Foundation in 2017, a testament to his commitment to giving back to the community.

He is known for his extensive charitable work, generously supporting numerous organizations. Among these are the Mayo Clinic, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the American Heart Association, Frances Nelson SmileHealthy dental clinic, Crisis Nursery, Camp Southern Ground, and the Champaign County Youth Assessment Center. A cause particularly close to their heart is the Horatio Alger Association, which provides scholarships to high school students overcoming significant challenges.

Jimmy John’s journey with his sandwich empire includes critical decisions and partnerships. In 2007, with a $300 million revenue, he partnered with investor Weston Presidio, catapulting the company’s sales to $2.5 billion. By 2014, amid talks of IPOs in the restaurant industry, he considered taking his company public but needed to be more open due to the desire for privacy and autonomy.

Eventually, he connected with Neil Aronson of Roark Capital, a firm with significant experience in the food and beverage sector and a portfolio that includes Arby’s, Corner Bakery, and Cinnabon. In 2016, after familiarizing himself with Roark’s team for two years, he sold the majority of his shares to Roark, retaining a 35% stake and his role as Chairman and largest individual shareholder. The company’s management structure remained with James North as CEO and President.

In 2019, Jimmy John’s founder merged his remaining stake with Inspire Brands. Still, he shifted his primary focus towards philanthropy through his Foundation and family investment company, reflecting his evolving interests and dedication to social causes.