Plant City residents will now be able to enjoy “freaky fast delivery.” Jimmy John’s, a gourmet sandwich shop that prides itself on speedy delivery, has opened a location off of James L. Redman Parkway.
Owner Jesse Neagles spent two and one half years trying to launch a franchise in Plant City, and it came to fruition Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Neagles is originally from the Sarasota area and is a six-year veteran of Jimmy John’s corporate side. He has traveled the country as a business coach, visiting stores in many states to help them to bring up sales. He enjoyed the work so much that he knew he wanted to experience the ownership side one day.
“I saw that some of those stores were really killing it, so I wanted to get in on it,” he said.
Neagles has previously ran a McDonald’s restaurant. Not long after deciding to get into the Jimmy John’s franchising game, Neagles began planning.
Originally, the store could have been located near Taco Rey, also on James L. Redman Parkway. But, after six months of negotiating, the location fell through. Neagles then began to negotiate for the unit next to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, which took about six months. This time, it worked out.
“Small towns do well,” Neagles said. “We’re killing it right now. We’re pretty excited.”
Neagles believes his restaurant can thrive in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, despite its location in the middle of Plant City’s sandwich sector. Firehouse Subs, Subway and Publix are all within walking distance, and Brooklyn Bridge Deli is just a short drive up the road. But, with the exception of Publix, those stores don’t offer delivery. And none of them can make food as quickly, according to Neagles.
On Monday, Dec. 14, the partnership between Jimmy John’s and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce was made official with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Neagles plans to be a hands-on owner, working in the store along with his employees. The work can put him in the building from 5 a.m. until as late as 10 p.m., but he said it’s for the greater good.
“You only get a first impression once with everybody, so I want to make sure I’m here all the time,” Neagles said. “I’m making sure everybody is happy.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.