CHAMPAIGN, IL - Jimmy John??s Gourmet Sandwiches announced earlier this week the opening of its 1,000 store, a Beaverton, Oregon unit. Over the past three years, the sub sandwich chain has opened nearly 200 restaurants per year, and it has plans to open 1,500 more.

Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of Jimmy John??s, credits his company??s growth to "tenacious" operators and precision execution. He also points out that current owners opened 80 percent of all units.

"It's been a hell of a journey," Liautaud said. "My team is best in class. My operators take ownership, and myself and my team are having a blast!"

To mark the milestone opening, Jimmy John??s is using its Facebook page to host a contest where it is giving away a gift card worth 1,000 free subs.