Sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s targets US$7.94 billion valuation in U.S. IPO

Making subs at Jersey Mike's in Regina as part of their Month of Giving. File photo.

Sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs is targeting a valuation of up to $7.94 billion in its initial public offering in the United States, as it sets out to test investor appetite for restaurant listings.

The Tinton Falls, New Jersey-based company and selling stockholders are seeking to raise up to $1.09 billion by offering 43.5 million shares priced between $21 and $25 apiece, Jersey Mike’s regulatory filing showed on Monday.

The U.S. IPO market rebounded in the quarter ended June as companies across multiple sectors pursued New York listings, following a brief slowdown sparked by the U.S.-Iran conflict.

A string of high-profile listings, including SpaceX’s record-breaking $75 billion IPO, pushed the proceeds in the quarter ​past $100 billion.

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The sandwich chain’s IPO marks a rare public listing for the U.S. restaurant sector, following Mediterranean chain Cava’s CAVA.N debut three years ago and Black Rock Coffee Bar’s BRCB.O Nasdaq listing last year.

Jersey Mike’s, known for its submarine sandwiches, former CEO Peter Cancro, who in 1956 started working at the company’s Point Pleasant, New Jersey location, which was later founded as Mike’s Subs.

Under Cancro, who acquired the original storefront in 1975 and began franchising in 1987, Jersey Mike’s has expanded into a major U.S. fast-casual chain, with more than 3,300 ‌locations ⁠across the U.S. and Canada. It is an official partner of the National Football League.

Jersey Mike’s, which was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone BX.N last year for ​around $8 billion, ⁠plans to open 300 stores in the UK and Ireland in partnership with Cancro, according to the regulatory filing.

The buyout firm had plans to expand the sandwich chain both domestically and internationally.

The ​company has applied to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “JMKE.” Morgan Stanley, Jefferies and J.P. Morgan ​are the joint book-running managers for the offering.

(Reporting by Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das and Shinjini Ganguli)