Don’t take a seat. This new Jimmy John’s in Florida is drive-thru only
Florida, say hello to your first drive-thru-only Jimmy John’s.
At the 580-square-foot Bartow location, you can order your “freaky fast” sandwiches just the way you like ‘em from the comfort of your car.
Other JJ’s have a drive-thru lane, but this is the first standalone, says the Illinois-based company.
There is no indoor seating whatsoever here, the franchise’s owner Doug Law told the Miami Herald on Friday.
The digital-forward restaurant teamed up with brand “experience” agency ChangeUp to meet the evolving needs of eating out in the COVID era.
There are two lanes at the signature red and black mini-building, one solely for online and mobile orders. For guests who prefer a completely socially distanced experience, the new spot also features carryout lockers, where you can pick up your “freaky fast” grub and not deal with another human.
“Jimmy John’s has always been at the forefront of the industry, particularly when it comes to listening to our guests,” said Andrew Bello, VP of Design and Architecture at Inspire Brands, which acquired Jimmy John’s in 2019. “This new drive-thru only model represents our continued commitment to evolve with our guests and serve the best, freshest sandwiches with speed and efficiency.”
In mid-2020, during the height of the pandemic, Miami-based Burger King announced similar changes at a few of its restaurants, adding plexiglass, lockers and mobile ordering only lanes.
The Jimmy John’s spot in Bartow at 602 North Broadway Avenue, which opened Jan. 25, is already seeing a brisk lunch crowd — roughly 50 to 60 cars an hour.
“It’s going really good,” Law said. “We’re trying to push everyone to use the app.”
The businessman said he is planning to set out picnic tables nearby in a grassy area for those customers who don’t want to eat in their cars or on their motorcycles.
“We have folks who say they prefer to enjoy their meal outside in the beautiful Florida weather and I can’t say I blame them.”
More info at JimmyJohns.com.
