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Jimmy John’s Honored with National Turkey Federation’s T.O.M. Award

National Chain is Committed to High Quality and Variety of Gourmet Turkey Sandwiches

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Chicago, IL, May 18, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation
202-898-0100 ext. 7227, srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
or Jennifer Zuckerman, Devine & Pearson
617-472-2700 ext. 135, jzuckerman@devine-pearson.com

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) presented Jimmy John’s with its Sixth Annual “Turkey on the Menu” (T.O.M.) Award at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) convention today. The award honors this fast food chain for its creativity and variety of gourmet sandwiches on its menu. Jimmy John’s impressed the judges with its wide usage of turkey that extends to 30 percent of its menu.

“In its nomination of Jimmy John’s for this award, Sara Lee Foodservice recognizes how successful Jimmy John’s continues to be in re-designing the traditional turkey sandwich to satisfy customer needs for convenient, high quality and great-tasting subs and sandwiches,” said Tom Hayes, president, Sara Lee Foodservice.

Jimmy John’s restaurants are mainly located near colleges and universities and have found great success targeting younger customers through its high energy and fun atmosphere. From the original Turkey Tom® that is topped with lettuce, tomato, alfalfa sprouts and mayonnaise; to the Beach Club® piled high with provolone, avocado spread, sliced cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, the oven roasted turkey breast is in good company throughout the entire Jimmy John’s menu.

“Jimmy John’s certainly lives up to its motto of ‘freaky fast, freaky good,’” remarked Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s vice president of marketing and communications. “The chain is a prime example of how to take the once basic sandwich and turn it into something very exciting and, of course, delicious.”

Started in 1983 in Charleston, Ill., to “add to students GPA and general dating ability,” according to its menu, Jimmy John’s now boasts more than 690 locations in 35 states, with another 145 planned to open this year.

Accepting the award on behalf of Jimmy John’s was Founder and CEO Jimmy John Liautaud. “We are honored to receive the T.O.M Award in recognition of our very popular turkey sandwiches,” said Liautaud. “Many things have changed since our start in 1983, but our core values still remain the same -- commitment to high quality, the freshest ingredients, great value, convenience and delivery with a smile.”

Winning the T.O.M. Award fast food category, Jimmy John’s joined Perkins and Marie Callender’s Bakery & Restaurant, winner of the casual/family style category, and ARAMARK Corporation, winner of the non-commercial category, at the 2008 reception held at the NRA convention. Past recipients of the award include Bob Evans, Wendy’s International, Mimi’s Café, the Machine Shed, Schlotzsky’s, and Subway.

National Turkey Federation members nominate the foodservice chains that exemplify the criteria of the T.O.M. award. Entrant applications address questions regarding turkey menu applications, the items’ consumer appeal, how the chain promotes the menu items through marketing and turkey’s food cost percentage. A panel of foodservice professionals rates the entries on consumer appeal, versatility, taste, value, and how the turkey application benefits the chain operation.

About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the $8 billion turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members' products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products. Its award-winning web site, www.EatTurkey.com, offers consumers, food professionals and the media an extensive library of information including healthy eating and restaurant trends, turkey cuts and purchasing tips, turkey nutrition and cooking techniques, and turkey facts and trivia. Additionally, the site presents a searchable database of more than 1,800 recipes, offers a recipe E-mail program and provides special seasonal and holiday ideas. The National Turkey Federation is headquartered in Washington, D.C.