Jersey Mike’s Tops Chick-fil-A in QSR Rankings

Jersey Mike’s Subs has achieved a significant milestone by securing the top position in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) fast-food rankings, surpassing Chick-fil-A, which held the number one spot for 11 consecutive years. This is Jersey Mike’s first appearance in the ACSI rankings, achieving a score of 84 out of 100, while Chick-fil-A scored 83. The rankings reflect the preferences of 16,464 respondents and highlight other industry leaders such as Papa John’s, Starbucks, and a tie between Burger King and Culver’s in their respective categories.

In franchise development news, Saber Ammori, an established operator with 14 Club Pilates locations in New York City, has signed a significant deal to develop 70 additional units across Maryland, Michigan, and New York. Ammori, who co-founded Wireless Vision with over 450 T-Mobile locations, aims to enhance the Club Pilates brand through this extensive venture partnered with Cohere Capital, establishing Renew Fitness to manage these locations.

In the realm of distressed franchise operations, the bankrupt Popeyes franchisee, Sailormen Inc., is undergoing a substantial restructuring by selling 97 of its 136 locations spread across Florida and Georgia. The company filed for bankruptcy in January. As part of this process, Popeyes corporate is buying 16 Miami-area stores for $9.6 million, while other buyers include Pulse Restaurant Group, RFI Ventures LLC, 61 Biscuits LLC, and SBH Foods PLK LLC, with total sales reflecting a range of investments across multiple locations.

Additionally, Taco Bell franchisee Mas Restaurant Group has divested 43 of its Ohio units to another franchise operation, Southpaw. This transaction demonstrates ongoing transitions within the franchise sector as operators reallocate their portfolios in response to market conditions.

These developments indicate a competitive landscape within the quick-service restaurant sector, with Jersey Mike’s noteworthy rise potentially influencing franchisee strategies across the industry. Looking forward, one may watch for how Jersey Mike’s can sustain this high level of customer satisfaction and what ripple effects this change in rankings may have on franchise operations throughout the QSR market.