These TCU seniors don’t graduate until May, but they’ve already opened their own business
Nate Meyer and Ty Vansteenburg greeted each and every customer as they worked behind the counter preparing sandwiches in their newly opened Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurant at 3021 S. University Drive.
Jimmy John’s has been on TCU’s restaurant strip since 2015, with previous owner, David Cabellero.
“We found out the franchise agreement (for Jimmy John’s) was up and they weren’t renewing,” Vansteenburg said. “That’s when the opportunity was right in front of us, and we jumped on it very quickly.”
Vansteenburg’s father has been a franchise owner since 2001, the main restaurant he works with being Jimmy John’s. While he may help the two young men learn the ropes of the restaurant game, “he’s not holding our hand, he gives us free rein,” Meyer said.
If you had told Meyer and Vansteenburg in their freshman year that they would own a fast-food franchise restaurant, they never would have believed you.
How neuroscience and real estate majors turned into business majors
The two TCU students have been roommates since their 2021 freshman year, living in Samuelson Hall. They are also fraternity brothers, best friends and now Jimmy John’s co-owners.
Meyer started as a neuroscience major; Vansteenburg wanted to pursue real estate and finance.
As time went by, they realized what they were studying was not truly what they wanted to do. After taking a few entrepreneurship classes together, specifically a franchising class, they realized their interest in the subject.
Meyer said the class taught by a TCU adjunct professor, Michael Browning, gave them a “roadmap for success.” Browning is the CEO of Unleashed Brands, which includes Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym and XP League.
What they learned gave them the tools to open up their own franchise.
Though Vansteenburg had grown up with Jimmy John’s, he said the opportunity of the previous owner not renewing the agreement was a “sign from God.” But also, the two say that the process has been made easier because it’s a brand they believe in.
“You know you can come here, you can eat a sandwich, and you’re going to be energized for the day,” Vansteenburg said. “We slice our produce every single day. We have fresh bread, never more than four hours old. It’s quality ingredients.”
Starting a franchise during last semester of senior year
Re-opening this location near TCU campus has added quite a bit to the best friends’ schedules.
“I went from having so much time, to not having any time at all,” Vansteenburg said. “You really learn to value your time.”
Though the location was already built, it needed some sprucing up. New equipment, a new menu and getting the building up to code were hurdles the owners had to overcome before opening up to the TCU community.
They also spent months training at another Fort Worth Jimmy John’s, shadowing the general manager. On top of that, the two had to interview and hire a whole team.
“We’ve been on the other side of the interview, but we haven’t been on this side, and it was really fun to kind of learn that, but it’s definitely challenging,” Vansteenburg said.
But the most rewarding part for the duo has been the support and positive feedback from fellow TCU students and faculty. Meyer wants the store to be somewhere students can find community and hang out in between classes or to catch up with friends.
Juggling a sandwich shop and finishing their degrees
Though they graduate this May, “school is not on the backburner” Meyer said.
“Our teachers have been extremely helpful,” Vansteenburg said, “and they all know what we’re doing and they’re being supportive.”
The best friends plan to open up more locations in the future, wherever the business takes them.
Yes, the location is near TCU campus, but the owners would love to see anyone from Fort Worth stop by. They are open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM.