NORMAL - For almost every college student, there are four important qualities that a meal should have: accessibility, affordability, portability and of course, a taste that will keep you coming back for more.
The sandwich, which may embody one if not all of these qualities, is an essential staple in the diet of many a college student.
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, which boasts that each of their sandwiches is “guaranteed to be the best taste in town,” has long dominated the fast food sandwich market in Uptown Normal with their location at 207 W. North St. But with the recent renovations made to uptown, several new eateries have opened their doors to ISU students, as well as Normal locals. While hungry patrons see the new dining options as a plus, the new businesses, as well as businesses that have stood in uptown for years, have one thing on their minds: competition.
Reggie’s Premium Sandwiches, located just down the street from Jimmy John’s at 114 E. Beaufort St., is a newcomer to the game, having just opened in January. Although they are not a well-known fast food chain, manager Hannah Uram, a senior mass communication major, is not concerned with the competition from Jimmy John’s.
"If anything, I think they would be concerned about us taking their business," she said.
Reggie’s has already seen a steady stream of patrons since their grand opening, partly due to the shop being connected to the Coffeehouse, a longstanding and well-known business in Uptown Normal.
“The owner owns both Reggie’s and the Coffeehouse, so we have loyal clientele from [the Coffeehouse] that come into the sandwich shop," Uram said.
Several of the employees also have split shifts between Reggie’s and the Coffeehouse.
While Reggie’s seems confident that they can handle (and maybe even conquer) the competition, Jimmy John’s is willing to acknowledge their new rival's strengths.
“I think we might see a very slight decrease in profits, but definitely nothing drastic,” said Mara Kilcoyne, a senior mass communications major and current Jimmy John’s employee. “[Reggie’s] has the same product as us, but they’re marketing it differently. People will be curious to see what they have.”
Kilcoyne added that while Jimmy John’s is a well-known franchise, “Reggie’s has a more local appeal, which could work in their favor.”
So what does Reggie’s have that Jimmy John’s doesn't, and vice versa?
“Well first of all, we toast our sandwiches,” Uram said of Reggie’s. “We also have more selection, which is better for the consumer. We have five different types of bread for sandwiches, as well as wraps. All of our meats and cheeses are premium-cut and always fresh. We get fresh bread every week."
Reggie’s also offers a range of unique desserts and sides such as pumpkin bars and broccoli salad.
Uram also pointed out that Reggie’s is open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, whereas Jimmy John’s closes at 2 a.m. Since bars around the Bloomington-Normal area usually close around 2 a.m., Uram says being open later will draw more business from the bar-going crowd.
While Reggie’s may aim to excel in selection and variety, Jimmy John’s still has one important feature that Reggie’s lacks: delivery. Accessibility is key to college students, who make up a large percentage of the business that both Reggie’s and Jimmy John’s receive.
“Another great advantage [Jimmy John’s] has in my opinion is our kettle-cooked chips which are our own brand," Kilcoyne said. "They go better with a sandwich than any other side.”
Kilcoyne added that all of the ingredients Jimmy John’s uses are fresh, and all of their sandwiches are both quickly and efficiently made.
Looking for an unbiased opinion to intercede the friendly fire between sandwich shops, I spoke with Jessica Caruso, a senior business major who has eaten at both Reggie’s and Jimmy John’s, and sees numerous pros and cons between the two. While Caruso said she enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable staff at Reggie’s, the service was nowhere near as fast as Jimmy John’s, who promises sandwiches made “freaky fast and freaky good.”
Slow service aside, Caruso said her Reggie's sandwich was better than what she has eaten at Jimmy John’s. “I really liked that the sandwich was warm. I would’ve preferred more cheese on mine, but I did like how there is a lot of different sauce options, and more selection than Jimmy John’s. Also the bread was delicious, and better than Jimmy John’s. I will definitely eat there again,” she said.
Caruso also thought Reggie's price was slightly cheaper than Jimmy John’s, however, she still believes that they will get more business than Reggie’s because “they are well-known, and also they deliver which is definitely a plus.”
So who will be declared the winner and earn the title of Uptown Normal sandwich shop king?
While there are many similarities and differences between Jimmy John’s and Reggie’s, no amount of strategic marketing or menu selection can change the single most important factor: taste. And making that all important judgement call is ultimately up to you.
The sandwich, which may embody one if not all of these qualities, is an essential staple in the diet of many a college student.
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, which boasts that each of their sandwiches is “guaranteed to be the best taste in town,” has long dominated the fast food sandwich market in Uptown Normal with their location at 207 W. North St. But with the recent renovations made to uptown, several new eateries have opened their doors to ISU students, as well as Normal locals. While hungry patrons see the new dining options as a plus, the new businesses, as well as businesses that have stood in uptown for years, have one thing on their minds: competition.
Reggie’s Premium Sandwiches, located just down the street from Jimmy John’s at 114 E. Beaufort St., is a newcomer to the game, having just opened in January. Although they are not a well-known fast food chain, manager Hannah Uram, a senior mass communication major, is not concerned with the competition from Jimmy John’s.
"If anything, I think they would be concerned about us taking their business," she said.
Reggie’s has already seen a steady stream of patrons since their grand opening, partly due to the shop being connected to the Coffeehouse, a longstanding and well-known business in Uptown Normal.
“The owner owns both Reggie’s and the Coffeehouse, so we have loyal clientele from [the Coffeehouse] that come into the sandwich shop," Uram said.
Several of the employees also have split shifts between Reggie’s and the Coffeehouse.
While Reggie’s seems confident that they can handle (and maybe even conquer) the competition, Jimmy John’s is willing to acknowledge their new rival's strengths.
“I think we might see a very slight decrease in profits, but definitely nothing drastic,” said Mara Kilcoyne, a senior mass communications major and current Jimmy John’s employee. “[Reggie’s] has the same product as us, but they’re marketing it differently. People will be curious to see what they have.”
Kilcoyne added that while Jimmy John’s is a well-known franchise, “Reggie’s has a more local appeal, which could work in their favor.”
So what does Reggie’s have that Jimmy John’s doesn't, and vice versa?
“Well first of all, we toast our sandwiches,” Uram said of Reggie’s. “We also have more selection, which is better for the consumer. We have five different types of bread for sandwiches, as well as wraps. All of our meats and cheeses are premium-cut and always fresh. We get fresh bread every week."
Reggie’s also offers a range of unique desserts and sides such as pumpkin bars and broccoli salad.
Uram also pointed out that Reggie’s is open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, whereas Jimmy John’s closes at 2 a.m. Since bars around the Bloomington-Normal area usually close around 2 a.m., Uram says being open later will draw more business from the bar-going crowd.
While Reggie’s may aim to excel in selection and variety, Jimmy John’s still has one important feature that Reggie’s lacks: delivery. Accessibility is key to college students, who make up a large percentage of the business that both Reggie’s and Jimmy John’s receive.
“Another great advantage [Jimmy John’s] has in my opinion is our kettle-cooked chips which are our own brand," Kilcoyne said. "They go better with a sandwich than any other side.”
Kilcoyne added that all of the ingredients Jimmy John’s uses are fresh, and all of their sandwiches are both quickly and efficiently made.
Looking for an unbiased opinion to intercede the friendly fire between sandwich shops, I spoke with Jessica Caruso, a senior business major who has eaten at both Reggie’s and Jimmy John’s, and sees numerous pros and cons between the two. While Caruso said she enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable staff at Reggie’s, the service was nowhere near as fast as Jimmy John’s, who promises sandwiches made “freaky fast and freaky good.”
Slow service aside, Caruso said her Reggie's sandwich was better than what she has eaten at Jimmy John’s. “I really liked that the sandwich was warm. I would’ve preferred more cheese on mine, but I did like how there is a lot of different sauce options, and more selection than Jimmy John’s. Also the bread was delicious, and better than Jimmy John’s. I will definitely eat there again,” she said.
Caruso also thought Reggie's price was slightly cheaper than Jimmy John’s, however, she still believes that they will get more business than Reggie’s because “they are well-known, and also they deliver which is definitely a plus.”
So who will be declared the winner and earn the title of Uptown Normal sandwich shop king?
While there are many similarities and differences between Jimmy John’s and Reggie’s, no amount of strategic marketing or menu selection can change the single most important factor: taste. And making that all important judgement call is ultimately up to you.
