It might be a chain, but Jersey Mike’s subs in Sebastian is a locally owned family business. The store remains busy with a great menu, fresh bread and ingredients, and quick service.
The state health inspector found no high priority violations, intermediate violations, or basic violations. Looking back at its health inspection record, they only had two minor offenses in July because the water heater took too long to bring hot water to the sink. The time before that, in January, they had a simple violation over a dented can of spaghetti sauce.
Most restaurants in Sebastian average anywhere from 5 to 15 violations per visit by the health inspector. To see one business receive a 0 (zero) is very impressive.
So, what’s the secret to Jersey Mike’s?
We spoke with the local Sebastian Jersey Mike’s owner, Will Micco (no relation to the town of Micco, although he lives in Micco), and asked him about his staff.
Micco says he only hires people he can groom.
Hiring and Staffing
“I try to hire kids I can groom. It’s no secret we’re a young staff. When people work for me, they don’t just sign up to make subs. They sign up to be taught how to be young adults and learn to be accounted for something,” Will Micco told Sebastian Daily.
Micco is a young entrepreneur and has trained his staff well as they are all courteous and professional on the job. He recently opened another Jersey Mike’s in Fort Pierce, following his success here in Sebastian.
“I hold high expectations, and I keep up with the job myself so no one can ever say I don’t get down and dirty like they do,” Micco said, adding, “can’t expect things to get done that you won’t do yourself.”
The staff looks up to Micco, and he has promoted some as managers. When that happens, he sends them to New Jersey for management training at the Jersey Mike’s headquarters, offering more opportunities.
“Knowing your people is the biggest key to success, in my opinion. You respect your people, and they respect you. My biggest thing is, don’t be scared to do the job and fail. If you fail, you learn from it, so always give it your best shot, and if you’re wrong, that’s why I’m here to correct you,” Micco explained.
Cleaning
“As for cleaning, we have weekly cleaning charts. We save every health inspection report and chart notes to stay on top of the small things for the next visit,” Micco said.
According to Micco, he tells his staff to pay attention to detail and what customers can see in and outside the kitchen. If there’s no correction from management, things get overlooked.
“We stay on top of each other like a family, and that’s why we get it done! We groom leadership skills and teach kids to step outside their comfort zone and not be scared to be a bigger and better person. If you do those things for me, you get rewarded,” Micco said.
Location
Jersey Mike’s Subs is located at 13513 U.S. Highway 1, inside the Riverwalk Shopping Center, in Roseland near Publix. Call 772-646-9900 for more information.
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