Jersey Mike’s Employee Has A Message For Some Customers. It’s Really Getting On His Last Nerves

A Jersey Mike’s employee has had it with customers who refuse to read advertising materials. But are guests really to blame? Or is the popular sandwich chain’s promotional game a bit too vague?

In any case, popular Jersey Mike’s worker, Andre Thompson (@andrethompson856), is exasperated with dealing with folks who think that $8.95 will get them a chicken salad sub, drink, and side.

“First of all, customers, look. What do you see here? Try a regular sub for $8.95, plus tax, right?” he says, pointing out the red and white sign. Following this, he draws his attention to another sign. It depicts a sandwich nestled between a beverage and a bag of chips. He says this has left some customers confused, leading to frustrating encounters with them.

“That chicken salad? You don’t get a chip and a drink; it’s not a combo. ‘Cause the next one of you yell at me again. Look, listen … I don’t know what type of attitude you own. But let me tell you something … OK, all that hootin’ and hollerin’ ain’t gonna get you it. OK?”

False Advertising Accusations

He says customers have been accusing him of false advertising.

“In red, it says try a regular sub for $8.95, plus tax. What you talking about false some advertisement?” he says passionately. “Would you like a chip and a drink? For an upcharge? I can do that, I can do that. Shoot. Over here, cutting up the day. Two customers like that. What? Are you out of your mind?”

He adds that he wants no part in whatever is possessing the customers to get so angry over chips and drinks. “Whatever is going on in this air, I rebuke in the name. OK, I’m done, I’m out,” he says to close out his clip.

Who Is Really In The Wrong?

Some commenters said that while they understand his frustration, they also feel like Jersey Mike’s advertising methods needed improving. “Agreed, but the marketing team is doing dumb stuff on purpose. First it was the number two bundle deal and now the chicken salad,” one said.

Someone else echoed the aforementioned sentiment, writing, “To play devil’s advocate, they shouldn’t put chips and a drink in the picture. I feel like way less people would be confused.”

“Then they shouldn’t have put a picture of the chip and drink right there,” another wrote.

Another employee complained about having the same issue. “No because why I got 3 signs of those in my store. And about 5 people just today still want to get the chips and the drink. And give me an attitude. But I’m always respectful to them and say that’s not how it is,” they remarked.

Jersey Mike’s $8.95 Chicken Salad Deal: What Do You Get?

The chicken salad sub returned to Jersey Mike’s for a limited time. According to the website, it’s “made with tender, juicy chunks of Roasted Chicken Breast, mixed with a creamy mayonnaise dressing, diced celery and a touch of black pepper. Finished Mike’s Way with the Juice for a familiar kick!”

To mark its return, the sub chain began offering the promotion.

As of this writing, navigating to Jersey Mike’s website presents viewers with the same image of a chicken salad sub. It’s resting between a bottle of soda and a package of potato chips, just like the promotional banner Thompson showed off in his video. Also, like Thompson’s video, the same red sign with white font reads: “Try a regular sub for $8.95 – plus tax-.”

This is about a dollar cheaper than some of the store’s other, regular-sized offerings. For instance, the Jersey Shore’s Favorite sub costs $10.25. A turkey and provolone costs a bit more at $10.65, with a Cancro coming in at $11.75.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

The ire geared towards Jersey Mike’s seems to stem from a long-standing issue folks have had with companies and advertisement agencies for some time. And it’s how photographs are used in marketing materials, which some governments regulate.

In Japan, for instance, there are stringent rulings on food packaging items to ensure what customers see is “what they get,” according to the Daily Dish. Take juice, for instance. If a product contains less than 5% fruit juice, then manufacturers have to show a cartoonish or stylized picture of the fruit in question. This way, shoppers immediately know they’re not getting a real fruit-based drink. If it has 5% or more, then realistic pictures of fruit can be included on the packaging. Fruit that is sliced open on the package is reserved for drinks that are 100% fruit juice.

BroBible has reached out to Jersey Mike’s via email and Thompson via TikTok direct message.