Established
1954
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$450,000
Home Based
No
Description
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza has carved its place as one of America’s most iconic regional sandwich and pizza brands, combining classic East Coast subs with hot, fresh-baked pizzas that have won loyal customers for decades. Known for its Philly-style cheesesteaks, oversized fresh subs, bold flavors, and family-friendly appeal, Jerry’s represents a unique crossover concept in the quick-service dining segment—one that offers both the speed of a sandwich shop and the revenue-boosting menu range of a pizzeria.
For an entrepreneur exploring a recognizable, proven food franchise with strong brand recall, Jerry’s Subs & Pizza stands out as a high-demand option. With a menu built around comfort classics and crowd-pleasers, the brand has stayed relevant through multiple generations of American diners. Today, Jerry’s continues to gain momentum as a scalable franchise opportunity ideal for suburban communities, urban centers, high-traffic retail areas, and mixed-use commercial developments.
This franchise description explores the brand’s history, market positioning, investment details, franchisee support, profitability potential, and why Jerry’s Subs & Pizza remains a compelling choice for anyone entering the U.S. restaurant franchise industry.
Why Invest in the Jerry’s Subs & Pizza Franchise?
Investing in Jerry’s Subs & Pizza means stepping into a business model that is time-tested, flexible, and designed for predictable daily foot traffic. Its dual-category offerings—subs and pizza—provide diversified revenue opportunities, allowing franchisees to serve multiple dayparts: lunch, dinner, late-night, catering, and weekend family meals.
Additional reasons investors choose Jerry’s include:
✔ Strong Brand Legacy
Jerry’s has been around for over 60 years, allowing franchisees to leverage its heritage and long-standing customer loyalty.
✔ Simple, Efficient Operations
Most menu items are built around streamlined prep processes, making staff training easier and operational efficiency significantly higher than many traditional restaurants.
✔ Menu Diversity that Boosts Ticket Size
Guests can choose from subs, pizzas, cheesesteaks, sides, salads, and specialty items—improving average order value and broadening the target demographic.
✔ Ideal for Multi-Unit Expansion
The model is scalable and works well in retail plazas, food courts, strip malls, and high-density neighborhoods, making it a strong choice for multi-unit operators.
✔ Established Supplier Networks
National distribution partnerships ensure consiste
Background
Established Year:
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza was founded in 1954 in Washington, D.C.
Founders:
Founded by Jerry’s family, who introduced oversized hot subs and cheesesteaks that quickly became a regional favorite.
Brand Journey & Company History
What began as a local Washington, D.C.–area sandwich shop grew into one of the region’s best-known fast-casual chains specializing in cheesesteaks, subs, and pizzas. The franchise expanded throughout Maryland, Virginia, and surrounding states, earning a reputation for consistency, value, and bold flavors.
Over the decades, Jerry’s refined its operations, modernized its menu, embraced pizza as a strong secondary product line, and developed an operational model built for efficiency and repeat business. The brand has since transitioned into a franchise-driven growth strategy, focusing on high-quality ingredients, streamlined back-of-house systems, and community-centric brand identity.
Industry Category:
• Fast Casual
• Sandwich & Sub Restaurants
• Pizza Franchise
• Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
Franchise Active Units (Approx.):
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza maintains 20+ operational units across the USA, primarily concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Market Presence in the USA
The brand’s strongest footprint lies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and surrounding regions. Its long-term presence and consistent brand visibility allow franchisees to benefit from strong regional recognition and an established customer base.
Support Training
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza offers a robust and comprehensive training program designed to help franchisees operate confidently from day one.
Pre-Launch Support
• Site selection assistance
• Guidance on lease negotiation
• Store layout and architectural planning
• Pre-opening marketing strategy
• Build-out support and vendor coordination
• Equipment purchasing guidance
Initial Franchise Training
• 2–4 weeks of hands-on training
• Food preparation and kitchen operations
• Product quality and consistency systems
• Cost control, inventory, and supply chain
• POS system training
• Hiring and team management
Grand Opening Support
• On-site operational specialists during launch
• Marketing campaigns to drive immediate traffic
• Promotional assistance and limited-time offers
• Brand-approved collateral and launch kits
Ongoing Operational Support
• Menu updates and seasonal promotions
• New product testing and implementation
• Quality assurance visits
• Continuous training access
• Operational manuals and resource portals
Marketing Support
• National and regional advertising
• Social media templates and brand guidelines
• Local store marketing strategies
• Digital advertising assistance
• Community engagement and sponsorship ideas
Jerry’s franchise support system is designed to ensure that even first-time foodservice operators can confidently manage day-to-day restaurant operations.
Ideal Candidate
Jerry’s Subs & Pizza is best suited for entrepreneurs who want to operate a community-focused fast-casual restaurant with strong brand heritage. The brand looks for owners who bring:
✔ Business Ownership or Management Experience
Restaurant experience is beneficial but not mandatory—a strong sense of leadership and operational discipline is most important.
✔ Passion for Hospitality
Franchisees should enjoy working with customers, leading teams, and building local connections.
✔ Adequate Capital & Long-Term Growth Interest
Jerry’s is ideal for investors seeking a scalable, multi-store opportunity.
✔ Strong Local Community Presence
Owners who enjoy building relationships with schools, offices, and families will perform exceptionally well.
✔ Ability to Follow a Proven System
Jerry’s operations are streamlined—success comes from consistency and adherence to brand standards.
Preferred Locations
• High-traffic suburban areas
• Strip malls and neighborhood shopping centers
• Near schools, colleges & business districts
• Residential communities with steady food-delivery demand
Financial Detail
These are approximate figures based on the typical QSR/sub sandwich franchise model. (Exact numbers vary by location, size, and market.)
Total Investment Required:
$250,000 – $450,000
Minimum Investment Required:
$250,000
Franchise Fee:
$25,000 – $35,000 (approx.)
Royalty Fees:
5% – 6% of gross sales
Marketing/Advertising Fee:
1% – 3% of gross sales
Infrastructure & Build-Out Costs:
$120,000 – $250,000
(Covers equipment, furniture, décor, kitchen setup, POS, signage, etc.)
Working Capital Needed:
$15,000 – $30,000
For staffing, inventory, launch marketing, and operational cushion.
Marketing Budget for Launch:
$10,000 – $20,000
Expected ROI:
Most franchisees see ROI potential within 2–4 years, depending on location, traffic levels, and market conditions.
Break-Even Timeline:
12–24 months on average.
Potential Revenue Streams:
• Dine-in
• Takeout
• Delivery (DoorDash, UberEats, etc.)
• Catering
• Meal combos and upsells
• Online ordering
• Corporate and school lunch programs