It would be tough to find someone who hasn’t had his fingers in franchising more than Scott Stuck, president of Jon Smith Subs, a Palm Beach County brand with eight open units, which was acquired by franchise industry giant United Franchise Group last year. United Franchise Group is known for its expertise in growing strong brands and ideas via franchising. Among the other brands are Signarama, Fully Promoted (formerly known as EmbroidMe), SuperGreen Solutions, Transworld Business Advisors, Experimac (technology and repair services) and new concept Venture X (shared office space).
The franchise empire that launched those brands in the past three decades, consistently stretches for new opportunities and succeeds in expanding their family of brands with winning models from all sectors that are new to them.
After acquiring Jon Smith Subs, the search was on for the best brand president possible. Let’s say they hit a “bingo.” Scott Stuck, who also will be the brand’s first franchisee, opening his own store in Stuart Florida in August, has taken on the whole brand to grow.
“I know this is rare, I may be the only one who has done this,” Stuck says, “but as I delved more into the brand while buying the Stuart location, and more into United Franchise Group, I was convinced I could really drive this brand forward. And being the first franchisee gives me the unique experience of understanding exactly what franchisees will need to do to get open, operating and profiting straight away.”
Clearly Ray Titus, CEO of the United Franchise Group agreed.
Stuck started his career in hospitality at the ripe old age of 10, working at his father’s Big Boy franchise. After college and some job offers he turned down, Stuck went to work as the manager of a Bennigan’s wanting to learn even more about the industry. He then went on to work for Brinker International (Chili’s) managing then opening several restaurant locations for them.
From there Stuck’s career consisted of a multitude of franchise experiences from partnering in Miller’s Ale House franchises, becoming President and equity partner in a multi-unit owner group overseeing several locations of Rock Bottom/Old Chicago throughout the Midwest, and then Einstein Bagels.
“This brand can really grow,” Stuck says about Jon Smith Subs. “It’s a premium quality product yet an affordable sandwich restaurant. “There is nothing else like the flavor profile in a Jon Smith’s sub. We use only high-quality ingredients, cooked up fresh on the grill and served with an order of award winning French fries.”
The first 25 franchised Jon Smith Subs locations have already been sold and will be opening throughout Florida, Connecticut, California, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia, including Stuck’s Stuart location. 25 more locations are expected to be sold by the end of the year in the United States, with plans to expand globally beyond that.
“We have the systems and people in place to provide site research and set up assistance, marketing and on-going support,” Struck says.
The cost to open a unit ranges from the low $300’s to the low $400’s, Stuck says. “In most cases we have financing available of 60 to 75 percent, making your initial investment $125,000—$150,000. We also offer area developer opportunities for multiple units from city, regional, to statewide and master licenses are available outside of the U.S.”