No free lunch, but an inexpensive sandwich
Jimmy John’s crowded for $1 deal
5/24/2013There's no such thing as a free lunch, but a cheap lunch apparently is something Toledoans can sink their teeth into.
Hundreds of area residents lined up at Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops in the Toledo area on Thursday to take advantage of the chain's Customer Appreciation Day in which patrons were offered their favorite sandwich for just $1.
The promotion also was being offered at the chain's stores in Bowling Green and in Adrian, Mich.
"We were slammed. There were more people than I expected," said Jenna Trevino, manager of the Jimmy John's at 405 Adams St. downtown. "They were lined up before the promotion began."
The store sold its $1 sandwiches from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Purchases were limited to one sandwich per customer and for in-store sales only, but that didn't deter customers from trying to take advantage of the deal. All Toledo area stores reported customers were lined up out the door during much of the four-hour promotion.
"It was pretty smooth. They were lined up 15 to 20 minutes before it started," said Ryan Michael, manager of the Jimmy John's at 3002 Glendale Ave. The store finished serving its last $1 sandwich at 10 minutes after 3 p.m. and had to replenish supplies a few times to keep from running out, Mr. Michael said.
Most in demand were the chain's turkey sub sandwiches and its Italian sub, the manager said.
The chain held a similar Customer Appreciation promotion two years ago, and Thursday's turnout by customers was comparable, Mr. Michael said.
Managers at the chain's stores at 4133 Talmadge Rd., and 1440 Secor Rd. also reported having customers lined up out the door and a steady stream of business throughout the four-hour window.
"I kind of expected it would be like this [Wednesday] night. I was prepping all day for this," Ms. Trevino said. "Then when I arrived and saw everyone lined up, I thought, 'Wow, this is great'."
Contact Jon Chavez at: jchavez@theblade.com or 419-724-6128.