#853

Peter Cancro

United States 69 years old Self-Made

Overview

Source of Wealth
Jersey Mike's Subs
Residence
Miami, Florida
Marital Status
Married
Children
4

Biography

Peter Cancro is the owner and chairman of popular sandwich chain Jersey Mike's.

The Manasquan, New Jersey-based business recorded $3.3 billion in systemwide sales from more than 2,800 stores in 2023.

It all started in 1972 when Cancro, then 14, got a job at Mike's Subs in his hometown of Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Three years later, the store came up for sale and Cancro borrowed $125,000 from his football coach to buy it.

In 1981, Cancro changed the name to Jersey Mike's and began franchising across the U.S.

Cancro agreed to sell a majority stake in Jersey Mike's to Blackstone at a reported $8 billion valuation, including debt, in November 2024.

About

Only 1% of people who apply to own a Jersey Mike's franchise get one, according to the company, making it more competitive than getting into Harvard

Cancro has no desk at Jersey Mike's HQ and instead spends about 80% of the year traveling to see franchisees.