Jersey Mike’s franchise has announced a pivotal leadership change, appointing restaurant industry veteran Charlie Morrison as CEO, effective April 28. Morrison, celebrated for his expertise in scaling restaurant brands, takes the helm during a crucial time of expansion for the company.

Leadership Transition

Current Chairman and minority stakeholder, Peter Cancro, expressed confidence in Morrison’s appointment, stating, “At Charlie, we have found the ideal next CEO for Jersey Mike and we look forward to him driving our business even further.” This transition comes as Jersey Mike’s aims to enhance its community-focused values while pursuing aggressive growth strategies.

Charlie Morrison’s Background

Morrison brings over three decades of experience in the restaurant franchise sector. Notably, he served as CEO of Wingstop from 2012 to 2022, where he oversaw the expansion of the brand to more than 2,300 locations across over 10 countries. Under his leadership, Wingstop’s average unit volume doubled, and he successfully guided its IPO in 2015. Most recently, he led Salad and Go as CEO in Texas.

Current Developments at Jersey Mike’s

The appointment of Morrison comes at a strategic moment for Jersey Mike’s, which has recently been recognized as the second-best franchise in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500. The brand has gained stability since 2024 and was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone for $8 billion, aimed at reinforcing its global reach and digital infrastructure. Plans for international growth include launching over 300 locations in Canada by 2024.

Future Goals

With Morrison at the forefront, Jersey Mike’s is poised to boost its presence and influence, particularly through technological advancements. Morrison highlighted his enthusiasm for collaborating with franchise owners to drive innovation while maintaining the brand’s core values of quality, service, and community engagement. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with this incredible team,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of identifying new growth opportunities.

Conclusion

As Jersey Mike’s transitions to this new leadership era under Morrison, the company appears well-positioned to build on its nearly 50-year legacy while pursuing ambitious growth initiatives. With a dual focus on expansion and innovation, the franchise aims to continue serving its communities effectively.