Jersey Mike's Subs Wins Regional Chain Excellence Award

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March 18, 2009 // Franchising.com // Chicago, IL - The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) recently presented three outstanding chain operations, including Manasquan-based Jersey Mike's Subs, with the Association's first-ever Regional Chain Excellence Awards at COEX 2009 in Orlando, Florida. Pictured L to R are: Michael Manzo, COO, and Peter Cancro, founder & CEO, Jersey Mike's Subs. Sharing the honor are BJ's Restaurants, Inc. and Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar.

Earlier this month, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) presented three outstanding chain operations with the Association's first-ever Regional Chain Excellence Awards. Manasquan-based Jersey Mike's Subs was honored along with BJ's Restaurants, Inc. and Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar. The honorees were nominated and chosen by IFMA member manufacturers.

The 2009 awards, presented at COEX 2009 in Orlando, Florida, were sponsored by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and PepsiCo Foodservice. Patrice O'Malley, Director of Sales, National Accounts, Land O'Lakes, Inc. and Pete Popovich, Vice President of Industry Relations, PepsiCo Foodservice, joined IFMA President & CEO Michael J Licata in presenting the awards.

Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike's founder & CEO, and Michael Manzo, Chief Operating Officer, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Each regional chain has demonstrated unique approaches to successfully satisfying the continually changing preferences of today's consumer, according to IFMA. With the highest levels of performance, innovation and excellence, they share track records of positive growth and accomplished, forward-looking leadership among regional chains and within the communities they serve.

IFMA described Jersey Mike's this way: Evoking the "fun in the sun" feeling of the Jersey shore, Jersey Mike's started 50 years ago as a sub shop in Point Pleasant, NJ. Today, there are more than 400 stores open and in development coast to coast. The authentic, made-to-order menu features many items that remain true to their original recipes. Their mantra is freshness – from the daily baked bread and the beef roasted on site, to the freshly sliced meats that make each creation special. Customers are encouraged to top their subs "Mike's Way" with lettuce, tomato, onions and the juice – a signature blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices.

The crew at Jersey Mike's is on a mission to make the highest quality and freshest subs in the industry, but the experience is almost as important as the sandwich. Slicers are front and center engaging customers with friendly banter, and the neighborly exchange works down the line to make customers feel at home and to keep them coming back for more. At Jersey Mike's, franchisees and employees live the brand and enjoy life at full throttle.

A spirit of giving back to the community pervades the organization from grass roots to national campaigns. In 2008, the company raised more than $250,000 for worthy causes around the country including those in New Jersey such as The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, The JT Foundation Team for Autism, Holiday Express, Ocean Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

IFMA is proud to recognize these committed members of the regional chain community. The Regional Chain Awards join a proud tradition of customer awards from IFMA including the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, Distribution Excellence Awards and the Culinary Excellence Awards.

About IFMA

IFMA is a leading trade association comprising more than 400 of the world's most prestigious food, equipment and supply manufacturers in the $610 billion foodservice industry, as well as related marketing service organizations, foodservice trade publications, distributors And brokers. IFMA's mission is to shape the future of foodservice by creating an environment for positive change and actionable solutions benefiting manufacturers and their foodservice channel partners.

About Jersey Mike's

Jersey Mike's, a sub sandwich franchise with more than 400 stores open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike's serves authentic Northeast style subs on fresh baked bread – the same recipe it started with over 50 years ago. The company's mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates.

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