The unbridled joy of working hard to make people happy through a simple sandwich makes for fun reading when you learn the story of Jimmy John’s of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor where it’s not uncommon for the team to crank out more than 1,000 sandwiches a day during peak summer season in a beach town. Read below for a rewarding story of fast food that most folks might simply take for granted, but delivered by a team that truly works like a well-oiled machine to put smiles on the faces of customers who just keep coming back for more. With super powers that include Freaky Fast and Freaky Friendly, you won’t be surprised to see the three key words describing our local sandwich emporiums as being motivating, fun, and united are the hallmarks of their success. Does your team dance and sing while they work? Is your boss always approachable and literally working side-by-side with you in the trenches? Jimmy John’s of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor have lots to tell you about why they are, indeed, among the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Read on for more…
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Jimmy John’s
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
MVK Management/ Manager Zach Manger
Jon Lindenbaum
Nick Stenholm
Business Contact Information
Zach Manger
Saint Joseph, MI 49085
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
15
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Personal commitment to staff and team. Car broke down, they’ll help you out. Running low on money they’ve floated me cash until my next pay day. Truly like family. Manager Zach works harder than anyone and shows what it means to be a leader. Teamwork and having fun making sandwiches while serving the beach goers of St Joe, making people smile in an awesome work environment even through COVID-19, we seem to make everyone’s day a bit better with our freaky fast sandwich skills.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
We deliver fresh and fast food time and time again. If we mess something up we make it right. You’re not happy we’re not happy. I’d give someone the shirt off my back if they needed it. We see a lot of tourists and get a lot of repeat customers but we always serve everyone with a smile. Thanks for making us part of your daily lunches! Many people don’t realize Jimmy Johns is locally owned and operated both in St. Joe and Benton Harbor. We love our local small towns and our future is here. Many of our managers/employees have kids in local schools and others have been born and raised here. There is no age limit to working at Jimmy Johns we have delivery drivers in their 60s and they love it!
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
Not a day goes by that we’re not thanked. Our manager makes it a point to communicate with us and is readily available 24/7. Not many people know, but we start working every morning around 5am. We prep all veggies fresh daily/ tuna daily/slice meat/cheese and our bread is always fresh with the exception of day old bread at 50 cents (lol) Still delish! But our workers are dedicated and show up every morning even when people are still sleeping. If we get a catering order, shoot, we could be in at 2-or-3am depending on how big that order is. We recently had an order for Lane Automotive and we were up prepping that/boxing, etc early the same day but we made it fun and memorable. Teamwork, good music and lots of caffeine.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Good food, good company, great work environment, awesome boss, ALL THIS WITH A VIEW! Imagine working St. Joe summers on the bluff with your best friends.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Motivating 2. Fun 3. United
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Freaky Fast
Super Power Two: Freaky friendly
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Music—dance & sing while you work.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Trying new creative fun sandwich concoctions.
C] Keep communications open? Being approachable always.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
Ask us how many sandwiches we make daily on a hot summer day without running out of fresh bread! WOW!
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Bonuses, awards. Getting Manager of the Year is a huge accomplishment, and one we all strive for.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? In person meetings, Voxer (it’s a group voice messaging app.)
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? Donates food, Blossomtime Parade, to name a few school functions, Berrien County Admin buildings.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? Having fun! Life is what you make it. Engage, trust, dedication, loyalty. Learning all of this while hands on making sandwiches…kinda crazy who would have thought. Life lessons working as a team at a local JJ.
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
There’s something about the atmosphere that keeps ya coming back. Tough days, busy days, exhausting days are ahead. Try an 80 degree day in the summer time making 1,000+ sandwiches back to back.. but wake up and know you have a rock-and-roll team waiting for you to do it all over again, music playing and timers buzzin.’
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
You can order a whole BIG pickle and get it cut into 4 individual pickle spears!!! WHAT!
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Never feel alone/unappreciated
- Lunch is always yum
- Flexible hours
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
FREAKY FAST FANDOM winning over local hearts one sandwich at a time. We would celebrate by having each person take a paid day off of their choice enjoying a day with their friends and family doing any local activity of their choice. Hard work, long hours and long days of customer service deserves recognition and reward.
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
Come in and see what sets us apart, ask any of our team members what keeps them. I’d be shocked if their area manager’s name wasn’t one of the reasons. Leadership is key and the team they’ve built there is definitely one of a kind.
