While Liautaud has proved to be a forward-thinking entrepreneur over the years, he's never mentioned a desire to pay homage to his original business plan by adding hot dogs to the Jimmy John's menu.

Between fishing outings near his home in Key Largo, Fla., Jimmy John Liautaud traded emails with Crain's on a wide variety of subjects, from his new role at his sandwich chain to his favorite sub.

Maybe their efficiency is partly due to a corporate iron fist, considering the founder Jimmy John Liautaud has come under ...