For many teens, working in the restaurant industry is their first job. Jimmy John’s recognizes the importance of teaching teens valuable skills and setting them up for success, which is why the Jimmy John’s Foundation has proudly partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a robust workforce readiness program designed to prepare youth with employability skills for future success and connect teens to real-life work experiences.

On National Sandwich Day, November 3, 2021, Jimmy John’s launched a national, “You Buy, We Give” fundraising event where 100% of sales from the Beefy Black & Bleu sandwich were donated back to the Jimmy John’s Foundation.

The Jimmy John’s Foundation, founded with the mission to empower the next generation to dream boldly and thrive, donated $300,000 to the youth organization on February 15 (over $200,000 above the goal) from the sale of 43,496 Beefy Black & Bleu sandwiches on National Sandwich Day. This funding will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s workforce readiness programs, supporting young people at Clubs across across the country.

Jimmy John’s has countless stories of team members who got their start as delivery drivers and worked their way up to Manager or even Franchisee. Eric Oswald is a prime example of that. Eric started as a delivery driver in Statesboro, GA while in college in 2010, and is now a proud owner of Jimmy John’s store #1723 in Kennesaw, GA, the location where the $300,000 check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America was presented.

Eric not only mentors the team members at his store on the Jimmy John’s brand and how to make sandwiches, but also takes pride in demonstrating how to operate in a professional work environment, how to resolve conflict, and how to be well-rounded employees. Eric is an advocate for supporting people and helping them stay focused on their future.

One of Jimmy John’s brand values is ‘Big-Hearted.’ The brand is relentlessly compassionate and always ready to help each other, their guests, and the community at large. The Jimmy John’s Foundation is excited to continue its partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help young people across the nation reach their full potential.

Visit jimmyjohns.com/jimmyjohnsfoundation to learn more.