Jimmy John’s Founder Donates $1 Million to Former School

Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of the billion dollar company “Jimmy John’s Sandwiches,” never quite fit into a typical academic setting, and never went to college.

However, he is now donating $1 million to his former Illinois school, Elgin Academy. The school has been  renamed “Liautaud-Lyons” in honor of its famous alumnus and Jim Lyons, a former teacher credited for launching his success.

Liautaud struggled socially and academically at Elgin Academy, and  by the time Lyons arrived as dean of students in 1980, Liautaud was on the verge of expulsion.

Lyons took the teen under his wing, challenging him to turn his life around.

"He made me believe in me," said Liautaud, who began selling sandwiches in 1983 to students at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

"He told me I could be anything I wanted to be, if I put my mind to it.”

Jimmy John's founder shares academic center's naming honor with high school mentor

Elgin Academy alumnus donated $1 million for new facility

By Robert Channick

The Chicago Tribune January 1, 2009

Graduating near the bottom of his high school class at Elgin Academy in 1982, Jimmy John Liautaud wasn't exactly a front-runner for most likely to succeed.

But with his name now plastered on nearly 700 sandwich shops nationwide, Liautaud took special pride when it appeared above the doorway of a new academic center at his alma mater.

Funded in part by Liautaud's $1 million gift, the building houses the academy's high school now renamed Liautaud-Lyons in honor of its famous alumnus and Jim Lyons, a former teacher credited for launching his success.

"He made me believe in me," said Liautaud, who began selling sandwiches in 1983 to students at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. "He told me I could be anything I wanted to be, if I put my mind to it. Jimmy John's isn't far from being a billion-dollar company, so I guess he was right."

Built into the side of a hill at the historic 7-acre campus in downtown Elgin, the $9.5 million brick-and-glass facility includes a theater, library and 13 classrooms. Opened late last year, it is already the center of academic life at the private, 170-year-old coed school that serves about 460 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, officials said.

Liautaud struggled socially and academically after enrolling as a freshman at Elgin Academy. A large, outspoken student, he felt intimidated by his privileged classmates, and acted out through tardiness, smoking and fighting. His teachers were so exasperated that by the time Lyons arrived as dean of students in 1980, Liautaud was on the verge of expulsion.

"At the end of his junior year, many of the faculty basically wanted him out of the school," said Lyons, 64, a Chicago native.

Brought up in Rogers Park, Lyons felt an immediate affinity for Liautaud, a frequent visitor for disciplinary actions.

"He was sort of a gentle giant," Lyons said. "His heart is really sweet, and I saw that in him right away."

Quashing the movement to expel Liautaud, Lyons took the teen under his wing, challenging him to turn his life around.

In the process, a lifelong friendship—and an iconic fast-food chain—was born.

After it was decided he would not be attending college, Liautaud approached his mentor for some career advice.

Lyons asked what was important to him and Liautaud mentioned a beautiful female classmate and food. Lyons urged him to concentrate on food.

"Part of the conversation started in my office," Lyons said. "He took the ball and ran with it."

Lyons left Elgin Academy in 1991 and retired from teaching four years ago, but has stayed in touch with many of his former students, including Liautaud, whose wedding he attended.

When Liautaud was asked to be commencement speaker at Elgin Academy in June 2007, he made sure that Lyons was in the front row. Offered naming rights for his donation, he insisted sharing billing with his former teacher.

"One of the great attributes of great men is that they remember," Lyons said. "Jimmy John remembered Elgin Academy, and he always remembers me."

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