Jersey Mike's is now spreading beyond the core of Atlanta. The firm, slated to open three more sub shops this year, including its first Downtown Atlanta location along Marietta Street, is finding it more difficult to find A-plus retail locations within I-285's borders, says Jersey Mike's Jeff Sponsler. Now, the sub shop is eyeing growth in the greater Metro Atlanta area, including stores in McDonough and Canton. With a total of 41 units here, growth in the outer 'burbs could double Jersey Mike's store count in the future, he says.

Believe it or not, Jersey Mike's has been competing on Atlanta's fast-food landscape for 20 years, debuting in Dunwoody, though it's been only in the past five years that the store growth has exploded, Jeff says. “I've been here 20 years. Within the last five years, when I tell people I'm with Jersey Mike's, I don't have to explain what that is anymore,” he quips. The problem he's running into within the Perimeter is finding new prime retail space. “There's just not the space to build more centers. We have to rely on centers being redeveloped or a space to open up.”