Jimmy John’s is officially kicking off summer with its first cookie flavor of the year, and it’s clearly eyeing Subway while doing it.
The fan-favorite sandwich chain just dropped a brand-new limited-time item called the Lemon Sunshine Cookie, and the vibes are all citrus, all fun, and all about turning up the heat on the competition. The cookie, which launched nationwide this week, features a lemon-flavored base and is loaded with white chocolate chips. According to the brand, it’s their boldest dessert move yet and is only available for the summer season at participating Jimmy John’s locations across the country.
Jimmy John’s isn’t exactly known for flashy sweets, so this seasonal drop is kind of a big deal. And it’s not just about flavor. It’s clearly part of a bigger strategy to grab attention and take a bite out of Subway’s market.
“Summer is all about fresh flavors and fun moments, and our Lemon Sunshine Cookie delivers on both,” said Kate Carpenter, the company’s VP of marketing. “It’s bold, bright, and perfectly captures the sunny spirit of the season.” And she’s not wrong-with Subway still offering their usual cookie lineup, this zesty move is a not-so-subtle flex that Jimmy John’s isn’t afraid to shake things up.
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Jimmy John’s has been making serious waves lately. While Subway has been quietly closing over 1,600 locations in the past two years, Jimmy John’s has been doing the opposite-expanding hard and fast. The brand, founded in 1983 by a then-19-year-old Jimmy John Liautaud, now has over 2,600 locations across the US. It’s also officially the largest sandwich chain in America with its own company-owned delivery operations.
But Jimmy John’s isn’t stopping there. They went international last year and launched their very first overseas location in Seoul, South Korea, in October 2024. A month later, they opened in Toronto, Canada. And earlier this year? Jimmy John’s opened its first Middle East location in Dubai. That’s three countries in less than a year-not bad for a brand that built its name on being “freaky fast.”
The cookie drop isn’t their only play this year. Back in March, Jimmy John’s introduced three toasted sandwich flavors-the Roast Beef & Cheddar, Ultimate Italian, and Chicken Bacon Ranch-which marked a major moment. Up until then, the brand was known for cold subs, but the toasted sandwich rollout proved they’re willing to go where the competition lives.
In classic Jimmy John’s style, they celebrated by giving away $1 million worth of sandwiches to fans nationwide. Chief brand marketing officer Darin Dugan made it clear they weren’t just joining the toasted sandwich game-they were here to own it. “No one does sandwiches like Jimmy John’s,” he said at the time. “And while we may be fashionably late to the Toasted Sandwich party, we’ve made sure they’re worth the wait.” He doubled down by saying, “Our guests have been patient, so we’re saying thanks the best way we know how, by giving away $1 million worth of these crispy, melty sandwiches.”
And now, just a few months later, here comes the Lemon Sunshine Cookie-something Subway hasn’t touched in recent memory. Jimmy John’s is playing offense, and dessert is just the latest weapon. With white chocolate chips and that bright citrus base, this isn’t just a cookie-it’s a statement. A very sweet one.
So while Subway’s still working on keeping their remaining stores afloat, Jimmy John’s is out here rolling out global locations and launching seasonal desserts like they’ve been in the bakery game for years. It’s a clear message: Jimmy John’s isn’t just catching up, they’re sprinting ahead.
Whether or not the Lemon Sunshine Cookie becomes a permanent favorite remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure-Jimmy John’s is making this summer loud, proud, and lemony fresh.
Quick Look: Jimmy John’s 2025 Highlights
| Feature/Update | Details |
|---|---|
| New Cookie Launch | Lemon Sunshine Cookie (lemon base + white chocolate chips) |
| Availability | Summer 2025, limited-time at participating US locations |
| Quote from VP of Marketing | “It’s bold, bright… tastes like summer” – Kate Carpenter |
| New Sandwich Flavors (March 2025) | Roast Beef & Cheddar, Ultimate Italian, Chicken Bacon Ranch |
| Sandwich Giveaway | $1 million worth of toasted sandwiches given away |
| Global Expansion Timeline | Seoul (Oct 2024), Toronto (Nov 2024), Dubai (Early 2025) |
| Total US Locations | 2,600+ |
| Annual Revenue | Over $2 billion |
| Subway Store Closures (last 2 yrs) | 1,600+ |
