Jimmy John's entered the Canadian market through Foodtastic, the Canadian franchise group that holds the master rights to bring the U.S. sandwich brand north of the border — which means the 'franchisor' side of an Ontario resale usually runs through Foodtastic's Canadian entity rather than the U.S. parent directly, and both layers of that structure can matter to consent and disclosure.
Jimmy John's resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on the master franchisee's consent and confirming which entity actually needs to sign off.
1–2 weeks†Foodtastic's Canadian franchising team reviews the incoming buyer's background and financial capacity before consenting to the transfer.
3–6 weeks†A disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and a master-franchise structure doesn't remove that risk; it just adds a second layer to check.
assessed early†Getting to closing
Landlord consent to assign the lease on the store's typically smaller, sandwich-shop footprint.
2–4 weeks†The incoming owner typically completes brand-standard training before final transfer approval.
2–4 weeks†Funds and keys change hands once every condition clears, alongside an inventory count and confirmation of the prep-line equipment included.
1 day, once conditions are met†CFA Look For A Franchise listing and foodtastic.ca/jimmy-johns/ confirm active Canadian franchise recruitment for this sandwich brand, now operated in Canada via Foodtastic
Debuted in Canada on North Queen St., Etobicoke (near Sherway Gardens) with plans for significant Canadian expansion over the following decade
This is the first real decision in a Jimmy John's resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The location's assets — prep-line and refrigeration equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Consent chain | The Canadian master franchisee typically reviews and consents to the specific location changing hands, alongside whatever standing the U.S. brand owner retains. | Change of control is reviewed the same way, through the Canadian master-franchise entity. |
| Franchise / master-franchise agreement | A new agreement is typically issued to the incoming operator on the master franchisee's then-current terms. | The existing agreement can stay in place, with the master franchisee still reviewing and consenting to the change. |
| The lease | Needs landlord consent to assign, on the store's smaller, delivery-friendly footprint. | Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Prep-line equipment | Itemized and confirmed against any leases or liens as part of the asset purchase. | Stays with the corporation; existing lease or finance arrangements carry over. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
The location's assets — prep-line and refrigeration equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
The Canadian master franchisee typically reviews and consents to the specific location changing hands, alongside whatever standing the U.S. brand owner retains.
Change of control is reviewed the same way, through the Canadian master-franchise entity.
A new agreement is typically issued to the incoming operator on the master franchisee's then-current terms.
The existing agreement can stay in place, with the master franchisee still reviewing and consenting to the change.
Needs landlord consent to assign, on the store's smaller, delivery-friendly footprint.
Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Itemized and confirmed against any leases or liens as part of the asset purchase.
Stays with the corporation; existing lease or finance arrangements carry over.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single, early-generation Jimmy John's location changing hands between one buyer and one seller.
Start my file →A deal involving both the Canadian master franchisee's consent and any residual U.S. brand-owner approval, or a multi-unit operator within Foodtastic's system.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
In practice, consent typically runs through Foodtastic's Canadian master-franchise entity rather than Jimmy John's U.S. parent directly. We confirm exactly which entity's sign-off your specific transfer needs before the application goes in, rather than assuming.
Yes, generally — this is an earlier-stage Canadian network than a decades-old QSR brand, so we lean more heavily on operational and financial due diligence for your specific store rather than broad market comparables.
It doesn't remove the question — Ontario's resale-disclosure exemption is read narrowly regardless of how many layers of franchisor sit above the location, so we assess whether disclosure applies at both the master-franchise and unit level rather than assuming one layer covers it.
Often simpler than a full dine-in restaurant — these are typically smaller, counter-and-prep-line footprints, though the same landlord-consent and assignment process applies.
The master franchisee typically requires brand-standard training before final transfer approval, timed so the incoming owner is ready to operate the location without a gap in day-to-day management.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Jimmy John's or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Jimmy John's resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.