Many fans are curious about Jimmy John Liautaud's financial success in April 2026. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What Is Jimmy John Liautaud's Net Worth?

In September 2016, private equity firm Roark Capital acquired 65% of Jimmy John's in a deal that valued the company at $2.3 billion. Within two years after further growth, Jimmy John Liautaud's pre-tax paper net worth was $1.7 billion.

Start of Jimmy John's Sandwiches

Following his graduation from high school in 1982, Liautaud was given a $25,000 loan from his father in order to start his own business. Taking the money, he agreed to his father's condition that he would enlist in the US Army if his business venture failed. Although Jimmy originally planned to open a hot dog stand, he soon realized that the $25,000 loan was an insufficient amount for such a business. In lieu of this, he decided to open a sandwich shop by buying premium meats at his local market and combining them with his own baked bread. Liautaud subsequently founded Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches in Charleston, Illinois, in early 1983. Because the store wasn't in the best location, he began delivering sandwiches door-to-door at the dormitories of the nearby Eastern Illinois University. By the end of 1983, Jimmy John's was making a profit. As the business continued to grow throughout the decade, Liautaud opened his second and third locations.

Jimmy John Liautaud was born on January 12, 1964, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He is the second of four children of Gina and industrialist James Sr. His siblings are Greg, Robby, and Lara. As a youth, Liautaud went to the private prep school Elgin Academy. He went on to attend Eastern Illinois University, but he dropped out after one semester.

In September 2019, Inspire Brands – the parent company of Arby's, Sonic, and Buffalo Wild Wings – acquired 100% of Jimmy John's in an all-stock deal. The valuation terms were not disclosed. At the time of the transaction, Jimmy John's produced $2 billion in annual revenue.

(Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

Jimmy John Liautaud is an American restaurateur who has a net worth of $3 billion. Jimmy John Liautaud is best known for founding the sandwich chain Jimmy John's. After launching the business in 1983 and selling his first franchise in 1994, he went on to expand the chain considerably, opening more than 2,800 locations over the years, 98% of which are franchise-owned. Liautaud is also active in charity and has donated to various nonprofits.

In 1988, Liautaud met Jamie Coulter, a Pizza Hut franchisee who would go on to found Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon. With the guidance of Coulter, Liautaud sold his first Jimmy John's franchise in 1994. The business kept expanding over the ensuing years, amassing around 200 locations by 2002. Later, in 2007, Jimmy recruited the assistance of private equity firm Weston Presidio to help him expand further. The firm acquired a 33% stake in Jimmy John's and closed on more than 100 real estate deals within the first year. Another private equity firm, Roark Capital Group, bought a majority stake in the company in 2016. Three years after that, Inspire Brands purchased Jimmy John's from Roark Capital Group. Headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, Jimmy John's has more than 2,700 locations throughout the United States, with 98% of them being franchises.

Ultimately, Jimmy John Liautaud's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.