News

Former sub-chain CEO launches Jerseys Pizza and Grill

November 9, 2005

SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. — Former Jimmy John's chief executive Greg Majewski has launched a new concept named Jerseys Pizza and Grill.

According to a news release, the 29-year-old Majewski, who left the top post at the sub-chain in 2003, opened the first Jerseys in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Sept. 15. His aim is to provide the pizza segment with a sports-themed restaurant that is family friendly and attractive to the bar crowd.

"Everybody remembers growing up and sitting around the TV on Friday night. I wanted to do the same thing with Jerseys," Majewski said. "I wanted college alumni to be able to come in and cheer on their team and families to have a fun night out, with both groups of customers feeling like they were sitting in someone's home. Jerseys will have the warmth and feel that makes people want to hang out with their friends and family."

The first Jerseys restaurant measures 6,600 square-feet and seats 244 customers. It has a full-service bar, stadium-type seating and separate family dining rooms. Two 6-by-10-foot big-screen TVs and 30 42-inch plasma-screen TVs line the walls.

Besides always showing the "big game," Jerseys also will feature highlights from local Little League games and other local sporting events on its TVs.

"No one is going to have a better feeling than a 7-year-old Little Leaguer who just happened to be shown on our big screen," Majewski said. "We want people to think of Jerseys as their hometown hangout."

Majewski plans to franchise Jerseys and expects to have three to four open in the Midwest by the end of 2006. The estimated initial investment is expected to range between $900,000 to $1.3 million for freestanding suburban or endcap locations in lifestyle centers.