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Jersey Mike’s CEO Peter Cancro talks rapid digital growth, expansion plansJersey Mike’s CEO Peter Cancro talks rapid digital growth, expansion plans

Jersey Mike’s saw 180% digital growth over the past year

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

April 23, 2021

While most restaurants are scrambling to add drive-thru and pickup lanes and shrink their footprint, Manasquan, N.J.-based sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s is confident in their longstanding format: 1,000-1,400-square-foot stores doing mostly pickup and takeout. But what has changed over the past year during the pandemic is Jersey Mike’s digital growth, which has grown 180% from last April to this March.

In the below video Jersey Mike’s CEO discusses their immense digital growth and success despite the challenges of the pandemic. The first quarter of 2021 saw same-store sales up 40%, which Cancro attributes to the investments they made just before the pandemic in relaunching their mobile app in 2019.

“You know, Starbucks and Domino's are known as digital, high-tech companies but so are we,” Cancro said.

Jersey Mike’s has also seen double digital annual growth over the last year, with stores opening mostly from within (store managers becoming franchisees). The chain is currently at more than 2,000 stores nationally with plans to have their 3,000th store open by 2024 or 2025.

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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