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Jeremy Cudd knew he was obsessed with Jimmy John’s
when he found himself driving to St. Paul just for one
of their sandwiches. Now he and his mother have opened
a Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop, bringing
the fast-paced, pop-culture restaurant to Hudson. In
fact, every staff member wears a shirt declaring “Subs
So Fast You Will Freak.”
“I was looking for a new adventure,” said
Cudd, a 1996 River Falls High School grad who studied
hotel and restaurant management and has been a real
estate agent in Hudson for three years.
For his mom, Nancy, who is his business partner, the
fact that something was different about these sandwiches
became obvious after Jeremy was in an accident.
“It was the first thing he asked for after his
accident,” said Nancy, a social worker all her
life who decided not only to help financially but also
to work at the shop.
The mother and son attended a three-week school in
Champaign, Ill., putting in 16 hour days learning the
culture and mechanics of running a successful franchise.
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops were founded
in 1983 by Jimmy John Liautaud at the age of 19. He
started the business in a converted garage in Charleston,
Ill. Today, the company has more than 335 corporate
and franchised locations in more than 34 states and
two countries.
Speed and freshness are the reasons the Cudds give
for the chain’s success amid competitors. The
bread alone sets it apart, they say, with a crusty outside
and soft and doughy inside. The seven-grain whole wheat
sandwich is served on bread, not a bun. Bread is made
fresh every four hours, after which it is sold as day-old
only and not used for sandwiches.
Every employee has to memorize the menu and the ingredients
to aid in the speed of making the sandwiches. However,
customers can add or subtract ingredients as they desire.
In order to make the sandwiches in 30 seconds, three
people assemble them - the first one does the bread,
veggies and mayo, the second adds the meat and the third
wraps it.
“We want you to have your sandwich before you
get your change,” said Cudd, who is offering delivery
for 50 cents a sandwich within a 2-mile area.
“We want the delivery to be as fast as the service,” said
Cudd. “If we stay within that area we can deliver
an order in 10 to 15 minutes.
The menu, kept simple, includes sandwiches, chips (their
own brand), pickles and Coke products. Party platters
are available.
A grand opening is planned for Jan. 27 from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m. On hand will be Terri Trane from the KQRS
morning show.
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich shop is located
at 131 Carmichael Centre, sandwiched between Culver’s
and Target. The 1,500-square-foot business seats 38
people inside and, weather permitting, 16 on the patio.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Sunday.
For more information, call (715) 531-1200 or go online
at www.jimmyjohns.com.
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