Success can be measured in so many ways. For one person, it’s about being able to continue to enjoy the world he started while at the same time pushing for quality and staying close to his roots. Jimmy John Liautaud began with a single idea in his life several decades ago. After careful investigation, he realized that business would be his home. Further investigation rapidly revealed that he wanted to make the world of sandwich making his own. Basic, delicious sandwiches made from quality ingredients are at the heart of his venture. They continue to be his passion in life. While some might be tempted to move on or to decide to retire, he’s not one of those people. He’s someone who knows that one should never rest. It is this passion that keeps him going and helps him retain the roots while continuing to fly even higher in life.
Serving College Kids
As a 19 year old, he was in touch with what others of his age had in mind when it came to eating. He knew they wanted a hearty meal and they wanted it there quickly. It was this idea that led to the idea that he could fill that need. It was his idea to open up a sandwich shop with an emphasis on some basics. The idea was that he could serve simple food that would be delivered any time the college students wanted them. College students didn’t need to head out in the cold weather to find him. He found them. For a single quarter, he offered them delivery services that would bring them a sandwich made from single yet very fine ingredients. It was an idea that made sense to him and helped him connect with his peers in a real way.
Keeping It the Same
Not only did he work with peers to create something of lasting value, but he also offered them something that would remain consistent. As he expanded into new markets, the goal became to create a store experience that would remain the same for every single store. This enabled him to create an experience that would let his clients get in and out as fast as possible. He spent a lot of time thinking about all the details. He wanted to stick to the tried and true and make sure that his clients had the sandwich they wanted. With only a small selection of meats as well as a single cheese, this task got easier and allowed all those who chose to franchise from him a blueprint they could follow. It’s a formula that has continued to work for to this day.
Moving Forward ProductivelyAs his business began to take off, Liautaud realized he wanted to sell off a piece of it to outside investors. At the same time, he also realized that it was important in his life to continue to keep close to the roots that made him such a success in the first place. It is a philosophy that has continued to form his worldview today. He still makes time to see what ingredients are going on the menu. Once a week he attends a presentation at the test kitchen. It’s a place of greatness for him where he can hone his technique and demonstrate his understanding of the world of menu creation. He thinks about this process from the point of view of every person who enters his empire of stores across the country. It’s the key to success for him.