Jimmy John Liautaud

Jimmy John Liautaud, the founder and former chairman of Jimmy John's sandwich chain, boasts an impressive career in the food and beverage industry. His entrepreneurial spirit saw the creation of a brand that would later attract significant investments, including a majority stake purchase by Roark Capital Group in 2016 and a full acquisition by Inspire Brands in 2019. Despite these changes, Liautaud remained a key figure in the company's leadership, transitioning to an advisory role after stepping down as chairman. His business acumen has been widely recognized, with accolades such as the Ernst & Young Food & Beverage Entrepreneur of the Year in Illinois in 2004, the Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain award in 2012, and the Franchise Times' "Dealmaker of the Year" in 2017.

Alongside his business ventures, Liautaud is an active philanthropist, contributing significantly to various causes. His commitment to education is evident in his $1 million donation to his high school, Elgin Academy. He also directed $1.291 million through The Liautaud Family Foundation to the Horatio Alger Association in 2019, supporting scholarships for underprivileged students. Additionally, he partnered with his father to establish the Liautaud Graduate School of Business at the University of Illinois-Chicago with an endowment gift of $5 million. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, Liautaud was honored with the Horatio Alger Award in 2018.

As a well-respected entrepreneur and philanthropist, Liautaud has been an influential figure at various educational institutions, community spaces, and public forums. His insights into building and scaling a business, as well as his commitment to giving back to the community, offer valuable perspectives in numerous fields. With an estimated wealth of $1.7 billion as recorded by Forbes in 2018, Liautaud's journey is a testament to the potential of entrepreneurial spirit paired with a commitment to social responsibility.