Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
FDA warning over produce and E. coli outbreaks
The FDA cited evidence involving five E. coli outbreaks and alleged a pattern of receiving and selling spoiled produce, including clover sprouts and cucumbers, through Jimmy John's restaurants. The agency required the company to respond with corrective measures.
2020
FDA investigates E. coli outbreak likely linked to Jimmy John's sprouts
Investigation
In February 2020, the FDA stated that it had activated a team to investigate an outbreak of 14 E. coli O103 illnesses across five U.S. states. According to the agency, epidemiologic evidence indicated that clover sprouts served at Jimmy John's restaurants were a likely source of the outbreak. The FDA announcement described the investigation and the suspected link but did not, in the provided statement, specify a cause, a recall, or a final outcome.
The FDA said it activated a team to investigate an outbreak of 14 E. coli O103 illnesses in five U.S. states; epidemiologic evidence indicated that clover sprouts from Jimmy John's restaurants were a likely source.
Stated objective. Determine the source of the clover sprouts.
Source excerpt
The CDC is reporting that the epidemiologic evidence indicates that clover sprouts from Jimmy John's restaurants are a likely source of this outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Utah.
Jimmy John's LLC reported that all of its restaurants stopped serving clover sprouts on Feb. 24, 2020.
2020
Woman sued Jimmy John's over E. coli outbreak
Lawsuit filed
A Dubuque woman sued Jimmy John's over an E. coli outbreak that she says made her sick.
Source excerpt
Fourteen people in those states got sick after eating clover sprouts.
A Dubuque woman is suing Jimmy John's over an E. coli outbreak that she says made her sick.
2015
Big-game hunting controversy
Images of founder Jimmy John Liautaud posing with big game circulated online and generated boycott calls directed at the restaurant chain. Liautaud later stated that he no longer hunted big African game.
2014
Employee non-compete agreements
Reports revealed that some sandwich makers and delivery drivers had been asked to sign non-compete provisions restricting work for nearby sandwich competitors and other Jimmy John's franchisees. The company later settled related actions brought by the New York and Illinois attorneys general and said the provisions were removed from new-hire paperwork.