Jersey Mike’s Subs, the iconic New Jersey-based sandwich chain with more than 3,200 locations across North America, is about to make a major leap across the Atlantic. The company has signed a landmark franchise agreement with JM Submarines UK LTD—helmed by none other than Jersey Mike’s founder and Chairman of the Board, Peter Cancro—to open 400 stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This bold move marks Jersey Mike’s first foray into the European market, with the inaugural location slated to open in 2026, according to multiple press releases and statements reported by NJB News Now, Restaurant Dive, and Food Business News.
For a brand that began humbly on the Jersey Shore, this expansion is more than just a business deal; it’s a personal milestone for Cancro, who bought the original Mike’s Subs shop in Point Pleasant at just 17 years old back in 1975. "I’ve lived and breathed this brand my entire life, starting when I worked at the original Mike’s Subs in Point Pleasant as a teenager," Cancro reflected in a company statement. "To now have the opportunity to bring Jersey Mike’s to the UK and Ireland as a franchisee is incredibly exciting. I see tremendous potential in these markets, and I’m eager to personally operate the brand I love in regions that value quality and community as much as we do."
The scale of this venture is significant. With 400 planned stores, Jersey Mike’s is joining a wave of American fast-casual brands—such as Chick-fil-A, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chuck E. Cheese, and Raising Cane’s—looking to establish a stronghold in the UK and Ireland. But Jersey Mike’s isn’t just another name in the crowd. Its reputation for quality, consistency, and a down-to-earth ethos has helped it become one of the most beloved sandwich brands in the United States, boasting 20 consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth, as CEO Charlie Morrison told CNBC.
The timing of this expansion is no accident. It comes on the heels of a period of rapid growth and major corporate change. Jersey Mike’s added an impressive 898 locations between 2022 and 2024, the majority of which were franchised, according to the company’s franchise disclosure document. In 2024 alone, the chain opened 322 new stores—its largest single-year expansion to date. As of December 31, 2024, Jersey Mike’s projected the opening of 270 additional units in 2025 and had commitments for over 500 more, setting the stage for international ambitions.
That ambition was further fueled by the November 2024 sale of a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s to private equity giant Blackstone, in a deal reportedly valued at $8 billion. The agreement allowed Cancro to retain a significant equity stake, and as reported by Food Business News, his net worth is now estimated at $7.5 billion. The Blackstone acquisition signaled a new era of aggressive expansion, both in the United States and abroad. The UK and Ireland rollout fits squarely into this strategy, leveraging Blackstone’s resources and global reach.
Leadership transitions have also played a key role in shaping Jersey Mike’s international vision. In April 2025, Cancro stepped down as CEO, moving into the chairman role, while Charlie Morrison—formerly of Wingstop—took the reins as chief executive. Morrison has been quick to position the brand for global recognition, emphasizing the importance of staying true to Jersey Mike’s roots. "This marks a pivotal milestone in Jersey Mike’s growth journey as we expand into the European market," Morrison said in a press release. "We could not ask for a better partner than Peter to lead this market expansion. Peter built this brand from the ground up, from our first location on the Jersey Shore to more than 3,000 locations across North America during his time as CEO. We are thrilled to have Peter lead our first European expansion in what is a very exciting new chapter for the company."
Another major player in this expansion is Andy Skehan, who was hired as president of International just months before the deal was announced. Skehan brings deep experience in multinational growth and is charged with overseeing Jersey Mike’s development, operations, and marketing initiatives in new markets, including Canada and now the UK. "I’m thrilled to partner with Peter and his team as we bring Jersey Mike’s to the UK and Ireland, two markets with incredible potential that represent just the beginning of our global growth journey," Skehan said. "I’m confident that communities worldwide will embrace what has made Jersey Mike’s a beloved brand across North America, and we are now ready to build upon our strong operations foundation and brand recognition to take our next step toward global expansion."
The formation of JM Submarines UK LTD—incorporated in London in July 2025—cements the company’s commitment to the region. With Cancro at the helm, the franchisee will be uniquely positioned to ensure that Jersey Mike’s signature “A Sub Above” experience translates authentically across the Atlantic. The company’s growth strategy emphasizes thoughtful, quality-driven expansion, rather than simply flooding the market with stores. "The strategic partnership with Cancro underscores the brand’s commitment to thoughtful, quality-driven growth as it shares Jersey Mike’s authentic ‘A Sub Above’ experience with a global audience," the company said in its official press release.
This isn’t Jersey Mike’s first taste of international expansion. Just two years ago, the company announced its entry into Canada, partnering with Redberry Restaurants, a franchise operator for Burger King and Taco Bell. The first Canadian store opened in August 2024, followed by a Toronto location in January 2025. Those early international moves laid the groundwork for what is now a much more ambitious global push.
Still, the decision to enter the UK and Ireland carries unique challenges and opportunities. The fast-casual market in these countries is fiercely competitive, with both local favorites and other American imports vying for attention. But Jersey Mike’s leadership believes its focus on quality ingredients, freshly sliced meats and cheeses, and a community-oriented approach will resonate with British and Irish consumers. As Morrison told CNBC, deli-style subs are “becoming a staple internationally,” and the company intends to maintain its core values as it grows.
For Cancro, the journey from a single shop in Point Pleasant to a transatlantic franchise empire is nothing short of extraordinary. "To now have the opportunity to bring Jersey Mike’s to the UK and Ireland as a franchisee is incredibly exciting," he said. "I see tremendous potential in these markets, and I’m eager to personally operate the brand I love in regions that value quality and community as much as we do."
As Jersey Mike’s prepares to open its first European location in 2026, the company stands at a crossroads—rooted in its Jersey Shore origins, yet poised for global recognition. With seasoned leadership, robust backing from Blackstone, and a proven track record of growth, Jersey Mike’s is betting that its recipe for success will translate across borders, one sub at a time.
