Jon Smith Subs Now Open At Shoppes Of Ballantrae Village

LUTZ, FL — Florida-based Jon Smith Subs is celebrating the opening of its newest sub shop at The Shoppes of Ballantrae Village in Lutz, 17790 State Road 54.

Members of the Carrollwood Area Business Association were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 15.

Jon Smith Subs specializes in high-quality and freshly prepared sub sandwiches.

Subs feature generous portions of meats - trimmed, sliced, seasoned, marinated and grilled to order - freshly cut veggies and buns that are baked daily. Additionally, Jon's famous fries are a fan favorite.

In 30-plus years, United Franchise Group put together a portfolio of 1,600 franchises in 80 countries. But one thing was missing—a food enterprise. Roughly three years ago, the West Palm Beach franchise empire, led by CEO Ray Titus, remedied that when it acquired Jon Smith Subs.

UFG created a food division last year, and brought in a second brand, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.

Jon Smith Subs, founded 1988 by its namesake, opened its first franchise late October 2016 in Wellington. It’s since expanded to 26 locations including Portugal, England, Panama, Chile and Australia.

“We already had the recipe to success,” said Regional Vice President Jim Butler. “We just had to learn how to duplicate it.”

Butler said another 35–45 restaurants are in development and Jon Smith himself owns six corporate locations.

“I think when a lot of people see the backing of United Franchise Group, that adds a lot of credibility to Jon Smith Subs,” Butler said. “They know we know how to build brands. Once they taste the food, then it’s a question of selling them on our culture and our vision.”

Jon Smith Subs features overstuffed sandwiches, meat sliced daily and grilled sirloin steak marinated in the store. Eighty percent of Jon Smith Subs’ food comes off the grill, Butler said.

The menu includes the popular marinated sirloin steak subs (including smokes cajun, pepper steak and teriyaki), marinated grilled chicken subs, grilled Cuban, grilled Reuben on Cuban, The Gator (sirloin steak, chicken, kielbasa and provolone with swamp sauce), Cheeseburger Bomb and Jon's Famous French Fries.