O & O bringing Jimmy John’s to Edmonton area

Edmonton-based O & O Group of Companies has finalized a deal with Foodtastic and signed an agreement to bring the Jimmy John’s brand to Edmonton and its suburbs with 12 locations.

From humble beginnings, Ravi Prakash Singh and his wife Khushbu have built a food industry powerhouse in Edmonton under the umbrella of O & O Group of Companies.

 The company operates  in the hospitality industry and manages several franchise brands, including Little Caesars, Second Cup Café, and Pita Pit. Recently, it also took over the management of two Guru Restaurant Fine Dining Indian locations in Edmonton, renowned for their legacy in Indian cuisine

“We are set to open our very first Jimmy John’s location at Shoppes at Hillshire in Sherwood Park summer of 2025 and are actively searching for additional locations across Edmonton and the surrounding market. As a high-end sub brand, Jimmy John’s is relatively new to Canada, and we are excited to introduce it to this region,” said Ravi, the company’s CEO.

“Jimmy John’s is a powerful sub brand because of several key factors that contribute to its success and strong market presence and we at O & O Group of Companies always partnered with the best brands for our community.”

Ravi outlined the following reasons for being attracted to the brand:

1. Speed & Freshness (“Freaky Fast, Freaky Fresh”)

• Jimmy John’s is known for its ultra-fast delivery and fresh ingredients. This focus on speed and quality has created a strong brand identity.
• Their “Freaky Fast” slogan reinforces their reputation for efficiency, making them a go-to option for quick meals.

2. Simple, Focused Menu

• Unlike some competitors that expand into multiple food categories, Jimmy John’s has stayed true to subs and sandwiches, making them an expert in the niche.
• Their streamlined menu allows for operational efficiency and consistency.

3. Strong Franchise Model

• With a strong franchise network, Jimmy John’s has scaled efficiently while maintaining brand consistency.
• Their franchise support and training programs help maintain high-quality service across locations.

4. Premium Ingredients

• They emphasize using fresh-baked bread, hand-sliced meats, and locally sourced produce.
• This differentiates them from other fast-food sub chains that rely more on pre-packaged ingredients.

5. Branding & Marketing

• Their marketing campaigns are bold, fun, and memorable, often using humour and direct messaging.
• The brand has a strong social media presence, keeping them engaged with younger audiences.

6. Delivery-First Strategy

• While many sandwich brands focus on in-store dining, Jimmy John’s built a brand around fast and reliable delivery.
• Their in-house delivery model allows them to control the customer experience better than relying on third-party services.

7. Loyal Customer Base

• Their consistent quality, affordability, and reliability have built strong customer loyalty.
• They also use promotions and rewards programs to keep customers engaged.

8. Resilient Business Model

• Even in challenging times like the pandemic, Jimmy John’s delivery-first approach helped them stay strong while other dine-in brands struggled.

“As someone deeply committed to bringing the best brands to my community of Edmonton, I am excited to share our strategic expansion plans for Jimmy John’s in Edmonton and the surrounding suburbs. We are preparing to open at least 11-12 new locations, with most launching between 2025 and 2026,” explained Ravi.

“This expansion is a testament to our dedication to delivering Jimmy John’s signature fresh and fast sandwiches to more communities while also fostering local employment and business growth in our community. At O & O Group, we take pride in our commitment to business growth and community development. Currently, we provide employment opportunities to over 250 dedicated team members across our operations.

“As we continue to expand, including our upcoming Jimmy John’s locations in Edmonton and the surrounding suburbs, we remain focused on creating more job opportunities and contributing to our own local economy.

“As we actively seek multiple locations, we invite strip mall developers to connect with us if they are interested in bringing a dynamic and well-loved brand like Jimmy John’s to their developments. This is a great opportunity to collaborate and introduce a high-quality, fast-casual dining option to local communities.”

Related Retail Insider stories:

• Edmonton-based O & O continues to grow its food service powerhouse
• Foodtastic opens combined Pita Pit, Second Cup Café and Chocolato in Saint-Eustache, Quebec