LAKEWOOD – A Jersey Mike’s sub shop is coming to the Lakewood Village Center plaza in Lakewood.

The company has included the 279 E. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, store among the 297 new stores it plans to open this year. The 279 E. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, site houses TJ Maxx and Michael’s, among other businesses.

Founded in 1956 as Mike’s Subs with one location in Point Pleasant, N.J., Jersey Mike’s now has more than 3,200 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant chains in America, ranking first on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 and sixth on Yelp’s 2025 List of Fastest Growing Brands.

“Being named the #1 franchise by Entrepreneur is an incredible honor that reflects the strength of our brand and the unwavering dedication of our franchise owners,” said Charlie Morrison, chief executive officer of Jersey Mike’s. “This recognition validates the exceptional opportunity Jersey Mike’s offers entrepreneurs who want to build a successful business while making a positive impact in their communities. Our proven system, comprehensive support, and passionate commitment to quality and community create the ideal formula for success, and we’re proud to be recognized as the franchisor-of-choice.”

The company is also expanding into the United Kingdom and Ireland through an agreement with JM Submarines UK LTD, led by Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and chairman of the board. The expansion is to include 400 stores. Cancro founded Jersey Mike’s more than 50 years ago and remains a significant shareholder following the company’s sale to Blackstone last year. This agreement marks the first European expansion for the company, with plans to open the first location in 2026.

Jersey Mike’s was purchased by private equity company Blackstone in 2024 for $8 billion, according to the Associated Press, in a move “intended to help enable Jersey Mike’s to accelerate its expansion across and beyond the U.S. market,” the companies said, as well as aid ongoing technological investments. Jersey Mike’s aggressive growth, according to the AP, has helped Jersey Mike’s take market share from rivals like Subway, which has been struggling with a glut of aging stores. Last year, Subway was acquired by Roark Capital, a private equity firm with expertise in restaurant management. Roark also owns Inspire Brands, which houses two other Jersey Mike’s rivals: Jimmy John’s and Arby’s.