Jersey Mike's grand opening of first Michigan location today in Pittsfield Township
Jersey Mike’s, a national sub sandwich franchise, will officially open its first Michigan restaurant in Pittsfield Township today.
Peter Shipman, left, and Mike Wagner, right, outside of the new Jersey Mike's Pittsfield Township location at 3650 Carpenter Road.
Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
The 1,376-square-foot restaurant seats about 30 people and is situated between Starbucks Coffee and Great Clips in a retail center between Packard and Ellsworth.
The space was originally listed for lease by Angela Arcori and Bruce Baja of Signature Associates for an annual $19 per square foot.
Local franchise owner Peter Shipman said he and operating partner Mike Wagner closed the deal near the beginning of the year.
The New Jersey based company was founded in 1956 and has more than 600 stores open and under development nationwide.
The company had a record unit growth of 15 percent last year and opened 69 new restaurants in new and existing markets. On average, the company opens 30 restaurants a year.
Shipman said he plans to open another five or six Jersey Mike's restaurants in the next few years in Michigan.
"They will be in this basic area in Washtenaw County and (we'll) probably go into the suburbs of Detroit," he said.
As a business owner, Shipman is already acclimated with the area. He owns all three Ann Arbor Qdoba Mexican Grill locations.
"I moved back here eight years ago and I brought Qdoba to Ann Arbor," he said.
Both Shipman and Wagner have ties to the Ann Arbor area.
Shipman graduated from Huron High School and Wagner graduated from Pioneer High School.
In part of its grand opening, the restaurant will be hosting a five-day fundraiser from Wednesday, May 16, to Sunday, May 20, with proceeds supporting Huron High School and Ypsilanti High School.
Fundraising coupons have been circulated throughout the community and anyone with a coupon can get a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to the fundraiser.
Shipman said there is already some anticipation in the area for the grand opening.
"It's been awesome," he said. "There are people that have relocated from other states that recognize Jersey Mike's. ... We're really excited to be in Ann Arbor."
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