Jimmy Johns keeps corporate office in Champaign, will take licensing firm to Florida

Dan · Jan 19, 2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

The founder of Jimmy John's said he has applied for Florida residency and may recommend that his corporate headquarters move out-of-state as a result of the Illinois tax increases enacted last week.

Jimmy John Liautaud told The News-Gazette on Tuesday that he is angry about the moves, which boosted the individual income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent and the corporate income tax from 7.3 percent to 9.5 percent.

"All they do is stick it to us," he said, adding that the Legislature and governor showed "a clear lack of understanding."

news-gazette.com

Update-

Quote:

Liautaud keeps corporate office in Champaign, will take licensing firm to Florida

Jimmy John Liautaud, founder and CEO of the Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches LLC, said he someday wants to return his home and his business to Illinois. But for now he's headed to Florida.

"I'm physically moving to Florida, right now as we speak. So yeah, I'm going to leave," Liauataud said Wednesday following a panel discussion on land conservation at the University of Illinois College of Law. "The (corporate) office right now is going to stay on Fox Drive (in Champaign), but I'll take my licensing company down to Florida."

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/bus...icensing-firm-

helppitch · Jan 19, 2011, 08:18 AM

One of many, I'm afraid.

Rooster · Jan 19, 2011, 08:30 AM

Woah, never saw this coming :rolleyes:

uiba99 · Jan 19, 2011, 08:41 AM

It honestly makes me wonder if Miller now regrets moving their corporate headquarters from Milwaukee to Chicago....which state looks more desirable now?

4ever · Jan 19, 2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helppitch

One of many, I'm afraid.

Yep....

BananaShampoo · Jan 19, 2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uiba99

It honestly makes me wonder if Miller now regrets moving their corporate headquarters from Milwaukee to Chicago....which state looks more desirable now?

Or Boeing from Seattle to Chicago.

I couldn't blame Jimmy John for moving but it would stink to lose such a prominent homegrown business.

illinirazorback · Jan 19, 2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helppitch

One of many, I'm afraid.

This.

SaltLife · Jan 19, 2011, 11:31 AM

hey Florida is not so bad

Illinois will drive away many more

-josh- · Jan 19, 2011, 11:45 AM

Once i get out of debt im going to be leaving this state as well.

illinicb · Jan 19, 2011, 12:03 PM

A lot of states are having similar issues. Illinois may have been one of the first, but they won't be alone. Reality is a beeotch that a lot of states are going to be dealing with. I believe I heard that Florida has been looking at their own tax situation. That would be quite a political football.

FYI, a lot of these companies that moved to Illinois did so with big tax breaks (I think), so I'm not sure how much the recent increase will impact them in the short term.

fran · Jan 19, 2011, 01:59 PM

I can't say that I would blame a company from moving out of the state of Illinois. Jimmy Johns is pretty small though. If McDonald's, Caterpillar or some other large corporation left, then I would be scared.

Snowball · Jan 19, 2011, 02:44 PM

I don't have Jimmy Johns clout, but I'll be following him to Florida also this year. My place is about finished.

I always enjoy driving by his headquarters. Some nice sports cars are often parked out back.

Dan · Jan 19, 2011, 05:50 PM

Jimmy John Liautaud called into Jim Turpin on WDWS this morning.

He said 3-9 month timeline on a decision.

Starts at 40:00-

http://wdws.com/podcasts/penny_for_y...011/01/19/2789

ilphotog · Jan 19, 2011, 06:59 PM

I just want to know who and the heck could to buy his house in Champaign? That thing is huge.

haighter · Jan 19, 2011, 10:16 PM

Someone was looking for a politically convienient excuse to leave the state and found one.

SaltLife · Jan 20, 2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

"Florida is one of the most pro-business states in the nation," said John Boyd Jr., a principal with BizCosts.com, the New Jersey-based company that did the analysis earlier this month. "And it has been for some time." BizCosts compared the annual costs of operating a typical corporate headquarters in 55 cities across the U.S., weighing factors such as labor costs, tax burden, utility costs and travel costs. Florida cities benefited from relatively low labor costs, tax burden, land and construction costs.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,6551480.story

cmore · Jan 20, 2011, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haighter

Someone was looking for a politically convienient excuse to leave the state and found one.

EXACTLY! I'm not leaving you because I want to, I'm leaving you because I have to. That excuse fits like a glove now.

Rooster · Jan 20, 2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmore

EXACTLY! I'm not leaving you because I want to, I'm leaving you because I have to. That excuse fits like a glove now.

I doubt you guys heard his whole interview. He was very passionate in explaining that he didn't want to move the headquarters out of Illinois. He created a lot of jobs, and doesn't owe IL any explanation, but he chose to explain himself.

Not sure why anyone would defend a terribly managed state like Illinois vs. a successful business entrepreneur.

jmontgo3 · Jan 20, 2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haighter

Someone was looking for a politically convienient excuse to leave the state and found one.

Highly doubt that.

Kasino81 · Jan 20, 2011, 09:10 AM

GET OUT OF ILLINOIS this state is a broke dump, smart move Jimmy I'll eat their more often if you leave Ill-broke

ilphotog · Jan 20, 2011, 10:38 AM

One of my good friends wife works at corporate for J.J.'s, she got a promotion so he quit his job to stay home with their toddler, and they are expecting another. Lots of family in the area so a move to Florida or elsewhere would be a difficult decision for them. They are really worried about what may happen now. I feel for them.

NYCIllini · Jan 20, 2011, 10:51 AM

There goes the new Jimmy John Assembly Hall

4ever · Jan 20, 2011, 11:35 AM

Ah, good ole, state of Illinois. Corrupt politicians, over spending and democrat controlled=broke down.

Im 40 now so it might be a little tougher for me to move on to another police department however it's definitely a possibility.

johncu · Jan 20, 2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uiba99

It honestly makes me wonder if Miller now regrets moving their corporate headquarters from Milwaukee to Chicago....which state looks more desirable now?

The new WI governor has been making statements like that.

Yet even with increased IL corporate tax, Wisconsin's rates are higher.

Those nagging little details . . .

haighter · Jan 20, 2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncu

The new WI governor has been making statements like that.

Yet even with increased IL corporate tax, Wisconsin's rates are higher.

Those nagging little details . . .

Wait wait...Judy Topinka told me that Illinois had the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world...

Jan 19, 2011, 08:41 AM	#4
uiba99 Tiny Illini Location: The basement of the Alamo Posts: 1,658	It honestly makes me wonder if Miller now regrets moving their corporate headquarters from Milwaukee to Chicago....which state looks more desirable now? __________________ "The danger is all around us now. Hatred is rising, yet all sides feel more virtuous. We’re asleep to the threat. We can have the most sophisticated Constitution, a brilliant system of checks and balances and a Bill of Rights to safeguard against the tyranny of the majority — yet none of it can stand against the power of hatred." Fr. John I. Jenkins, President, University of Notre Dame

Jan 19, 2011, 11:45 AM	#9
-josh- STAHP! Location: The paign born and raised Posts: 3,174	Once i get out of debt im going to be leaving this state as well. __________________ virtus junxit mors non separabit

Jan 19, 2011, 08:18 AM	#2
helppitch Posts: 471	One of many, I'm afraid.

Jan 19, 2011, 08:30 AM	#3
Rooster Banned Location: IL Posts: 306	Woah, never saw this coming :rolleyes:

Jan 19, 2011, 11:31 AM	#8
SaltLife Banned Location: Ormond Beach Posts: 5,876	hey Florida is not so bad Illinois will drive away many more

Jan 19, 2011, 12:03 PM	#10
illinicb Location: Northbrook Posts: 5,755	A lot of states are having similar issues. Illinois may have been one of the first, but they won't be alone. Reality is a beeotch that a lot of states are going to be dealing with. I believe I heard that Florida has been looking at their own tax situation. That would be quite a political football. FYI, a lot of these companies that moved to Illinois did so with big tax breaks (I think), so I'm not sure how much the recent increase will impact them in the short term.

Jan 19, 2011, 01:59 PM	#11
fran Banned Location: Peoria Posts: 47	I can't say that I would blame a company from moving out of the state of Illinois. Jimmy Johns is pretty small though. If McDonald's, Caterpillar or some other large corporation left, then I would be scared.

Jan 19, 2011, 02:44 PM	#12
Snowball Posts: 117	I don't have Jimmy Johns clout, but I'll be following him to Florida also this year. My place is about finished. I always enjoy driving by his headquarters. Some nice sports cars are often parked out back.

Jan 19, 2011, 05:50 PM	#13
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Jimmy John Liautaud called into Jim Turpin on WDWS this morning. He said 3-9 month timeline on a decision. Starts at 40:00- http://wdws.com/podcasts/penny_for_y...011/01/19/2789

Jan 19, 2011, 06:59 PM	#14
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 6,201	I just want to know who and the heck could to buy his house in Champaign? That thing is huge.

Jan 19, 2011, 10:16 PM	#15
haighter Banned Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 88	Someone was looking for a politically convienient excuse to leave the state and found one.

Jan 20, 2011, 09:10 AM	#20
Kasino81 Banned Location: Edwardsville, IL Posts: 3,388	GET OUT OF ILLINOIS this state is a broke dump, smart move Jimmy I'll eat their more often if you leave Ill-broke

Jan 20, 2011, 10:38 AM	#21
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 6,201	One of my good friends wife works at corporate for J.J.'s, she got a promotion so he quit his job to stay home with their toddler, and they are expecting another. Lots of family in the area so a move to Florida or elsewhere would be a difficult decision for them. They are really worried about what may happen now. I feel for them.

Jan 20, 2011, 10:51 AM	#22
NYCIllini Location: New York Posts: 363	There goes the new Jimmy John Assembly Hall

Jan 20, 2011, 11:35 AM	#23
4ever Banned Location: Im not telling Posts: 3,462	Ah, good ole, state of Illinois. Corrupt politicians, over spending and democrat controlled=broke down. Im 40 now so it might be a little tougher for me to move on to another police department however it's definitely a possibility.