Jimmy John Liautaud Net Worth

Net Worth and Salary

Jimmy John Liautaud, the founder of Jimmy John’s sandwich chain, has an estimated net worth of $2 billion. His successful career in the restaurant industry has allowed him to accumulate substantial wealth.

Birthdate and Birthplace

Jimmy John Liautaud was born on January 12, 1964, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He grew up in a family of four children, with his parents Gina and James Sr.

Gender

Male

Height

No information available

Profession

Jimmy John Liautaud is a successful restaurateur and entrepreneur. He is best known for founding Jimmy John’s sandwich chain and has been actively involved in its growth and expansion.

Nationality

American

Highlights

– Jimmy John Liautaud has a net worth of $2 billion.

– He founded the sandwich chain Jimmy John’s in 1983.

– The majority of Jimmy John’s locations are franchise-owned.

– Private equity firms Roark Capital and Inspire Brands have acquired stakes in Jimmy John’s.

– Liautaud has received numerous honors and awards for his business success.

– He is actively involved in philanthropy through his Liautaud Family Foundation.

Early Life

Jimmy John Liautaud was born and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He grew up with his siblings Greg, Robby, and Lara. Liautaud attended the private prep school Elgin Academy during his youth.

After graduating from high school in 1982, Liautaud received a $25,000 loan from his father to start his own business. If his venture failed, he agreed to enlist in the US Army as per his father’s condition.

Career

In 1983, Liautaud founded Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches in Charleston, Illinois. He initially started by buying premium meats from a local market and using his own baked bread to make sandwiches. Recognizing the potential of his business, he started delivering sandwiches door-to-door at the nearby Eastern Illinois University’s dormitories.

Within a year, Jimmy John’s became profitable, and Liautaud opened his second and third locations. In 1994, he sold his first franchise after meeting Jamie Coulter, who would later become the founder of Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon.

The business continued to expand, reaching around 200 locations by 2002. In 2007, Liautaud partnered with private equity firm Weston Presidio to facilitate further growth. The firm acquired a 33% stake in Jimmy John’s and closed more than 100 real estate deals within the first year.

In 2016, Roark Capital Group acquired a majority stake in Jimmy John’s. Three years later, Inspire Brands acquired the entirety of the sandwich chain.

As of today, Jimmy John’s has over 2,700 locations throughout the United States, with the majority being franchises.

Personal Life

Jimmy John Liautaud is married to Leslie, and they have three children named Lucy, Spencer, and Fred. In his personal life, Liautaud is known to be passionate about fishing and hunting. However, due to controversy surrounding big game hunting, he publicly announced that he no longer hunts big game in Africa.

Net Worth Over Time

Jimmy John Liautaud’s net worth has experienced significant fluctuations throughout his career. In September 2016, the acquisition of a 65% stake in Jimmy John’s by Roark Capital valued the company at $2.3 billion. At that time, his pre-tax paper net worth was estimated to be around $1.7 billion.

In September 2019, Inspire Brands acquired 100% of Jimmy John’s, but the specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, it was reported that Jimmy John’s had an annual revenue of $2 billion at the time of the transaction.

Components of Net Worth

Jimmy John Liautaud’s net worth can be attributed to several factors:

1. The success and profitability of Jimmy John’s sandwich chain, which has grown to over 2,700 locations across the United States.
2. His ownership stakes in the company and the substantial monetary value attached to it.
3. The acquisition of Jimmy John’s by private equity firms Roark Capital and Inspire Brands, which likely contributed to his net worth through buyouts and stock transactions.
4. Liautaud’s personal investments, including the wine industry and ownership of thousands of acres of farmland in Central Illinois.

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