Jimmy John’s, an iconic American submarine sandwich shop chain, has opened its first Canadian location in Toronto.

The new restaurant, located near Sherway Gardens at 197 North Queen Street in the Etobicoke district, marks the brand’s debut in Canada and the start of an ambitious expansion plan.

The move into the Canadian market is a collaboration between Jimmy John’s parent company, Champaign, Ill.-based Inspire Brands, and Montreal-based franchise operator Foodtastic.

“Canada is one of the largest sandwich markets in the world, and we couldn’t ask for a better franchisee than Foodtastic,” said Michael Haley, president and managing director of Inspire’s international business.

The opening of the Toronto location marks the beginning of Jimmy John’s international expansion into Canada. While Inspire Brands has not disclosed how many locations are planned, the partnership with Foodtastic signals a commitment to long-term growth in the country.

This expansion follows the brand’s international launches in El Salvador and South Korea earlier this year, with more markets planned for 2025.

Founded in 1983, Jimmy John’s is the largest owned delivery sandwich brand in the U.S., with about 2,600 locations in 44 states. As part of Inspire, it falls under a global portfolio that includes Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, and Sonic.

Foodtastic, based in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, operates over 1,200 restaurants across multiple brands in Canada and internationally, generating $1 billion in annual sales.

Pictured: Peter Mammas, president and CEO of Foodtastic (left) and Michael Haley, president and managing direct of Inspire Brands’ international business

Photo: The Canadian Press Images/Monica Healy