Ep155: How One Sub Sandwich Chain Raised $8M for 180 Charities
Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Dave Altmann, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Jersey Mike’s, a sub sandwich franchise with 1,500 stores open and under development nationwide.
In March 2015, Jersey Mike’s celebrated its 5th Annual Month of Giving, a national fundraising campaign, raising more than $3 million for 180 local charities. Since the program started five years ago, Jersey Mike’s and its generous customers have raised more than $8 million. They'll be adding to this number next month!
On the show, Megan, Dave and I discuss:
- How Jersey Mike's started their Month of Giving Program. Giving back is built into the company's culture and from its founding.
- How the month of giving peaks with a Day of Giving when ALL the dollars from all sales go to charity. This generates more than 50 percent of the dollars raised in March.
- How customers can support the program either via an ask at the register or a donation box.
- How friendly competitions between stores keeps motivation high!
- How Jersey Mike's corporate office guides new franchisees through the Month of Giving program and choosing a charity.
- How Jersey Mike's deals with store owners who want to support controversial causes.
- How much does cause contribute to the success of Jersey Mike's.
- How Jersey Mike's uses cause marketing to find the right franchisee partners. If they don't support giving back, they may not make a good partner.
- How charity partners participate in the program.
- How Jersey Mike's educates a large group of franchise owners about the Month of Giving.
- How Jersey Mike's uses incentives with franchise owners and customers to boost involvement.