Jimmy John's opens in Diamond

Jimmy John's sandwich shop officially opened its doors at 2695 E. Division St. in Diamond on Friday, bringing fresh, fast sandwiches to the community.
The new location is owned by Joe Jaksich and his sister Donna DiBenedetto, seasoned franchise operators who also own two other Jimmy John's locations in Tinley Park and Frankfort, IL.
Jaksich, who has been in the business for 22 years, emphasized his deep experience in running a successful franchise.
"We opened our first store in 2003 and at one point had four locations," he said. "We sold two off, and now we're expanding again. This Diamond location was an opportunity we wanted to take."
Looking ahead, Jaksich and DiBenedetto are considering opening three more locations in the Tinley-Frankfort-New Lenox area.
The decision to open in Diamond was influenced by the area's potential for more commercial development, especially with the new Jewel Osco right next door.
The site previously housed a pizza franchise and later a private restaurant, but both closed their doors after two-year stints.
Jaksich believes their approach and experience will set them apart.
"Sometimes, it's not about the location but how you run the business," he noted. “We see Diamond as a community with great potential and being within close proximity of Coal City, Braidwood and Wilmington is also a plus.”
Setting up the store was no small task. From signing the lease to opening day, the process took approximately nine months, longer than expected due to staffing needs and managing their other two locations. However, Jaksich is optimistic about hiring in Diamond.
"We've met some great people here, and the vibe has been very positive," he said. The store is expected to employ between 20 and 30 people, depending on business demand.”
Jaksich praised Diamond's local government and community support for making the process smooth.
"We've opened stores in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort and Crestwood, and while those experiences were good, the help and enthusiasm we've received from the village have been incredible," he said. "The village has been welcoming, and it's clear they love bringing in new businesses."
Diamond Mayor Terry Kernc said she got a good vibe from the owners the moment they met.
“And when we get somebody coming through the front door at the village hall and you realize they’re very good at what they do, we don't want to let go of them,” the mayor said. “So we will go above and beyond to bring good businesses and good developers into the town. We knew right away this family-owned operation would be a nice fit for the area and we’re delighted to see this space operating as a business again.”
The Diamond Jimmy John opened at 10:30 a.m. Friday and the stream of customers was non-stop. More than a dozen workers were behind the counter making sandwiches for walk-ins and Jimmy John fans who use the franchise app for ordering.
“Years ago when opening our other locations we’d have a bank of four phones and a worker at each one taking orders,” Jaksich said. “Now with the Jimmy Johns app it is much more efficient. They place their order online, we know exactly what they want, and by the time they show up their sandwich is ready.
“The app allows our customers to repeat their favorite order, earn reward points for free sandwiches and cookies, while speeding up the entire process.”
The Diamond location plans to be open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day of the week. Customers may be able to grab a sandwich a little earlier if the store is ready.
The shop offers delivery service to most of the area, though locations west of Broadway fall outside the designated franchise delivery zone. For those outside the standard delivery range, DoorDash and Uber Eats will provide additional access to the store's menu
The Jimmy John's brand is known for its “freaky fast” service, something Jaksich and his team take pride in.
"Our goal is to have someone's sandwich ready before they even leave the register," he said. Delivery times are also a point of pride. "We've had customers at our stores say, 'I just hung up the phone, how is my food already here?' That's what we strive for."
As for the menu, Jaksich's personal favorite is the #9. Italian Night Club, which features salami, capocollo, ham, provolone cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo and oil & vinegar. However, he noted that turkey sandwiches are by far the most popular among customers.
With a strong foundation and decades of franchise experience, Jaksich and DiBenedetto are confident their Diamond location will thrive, offering the fast, fresh, and high-quality sandwiches Jimmy John's is known for. Whether customers are stopping in for a quick lunch or placing a delivery order, the new location is ready to serve the community freaky fast.