CHAMPAIGN, Ill., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is thrilled to announce today that it's championing the great American charity Folds of Honor Foundation. Jimmy John's will make a donation of $1 million to benefit families of America's fallen and disabled military service men and women on September 13, 2014 at the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 powered by Coca-Cola at Chicagoland Speedway.

"Through the stars aligning and a gentleman's handshake, we are honored to support Folds of Honor," said Jimmy John Liautaud, CEO and founder of Jimmy John's. "Jimmy John's is proud to be an American company and is privileged to aid families of veterans through this American charity."

"We are pleased to be aligned with such a great organization like Jimmy John's that recognizes the importance of supporting the one percent who protect our freedoms every single day," said Major Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor. "Jimmy John's and its customers will be providing much needed educational assistance to the families of our heroes. What a great American company."

Earlier this year, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches was announced as the Chicagoland Speedway title sponsor of its NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on Saturday, September 13. While hosting the Freaky Fast 300 race day, Jimmy John's will also celebrate the day with the official check presentation to Folds of Honor. Jimmy John's sponsored NASCAR driver, Kevin Harvick, will be driving his Freaky Fast #5 Jimmy John's Chevrolet proudly co-branded with Folds of Honor Foundation.

For more information and how to donate to Folds of Honor, please visit www.FoldsofHonor.org.

ABOUT JIMMY JOHN'S GOURMET SANDWICHES

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops was founded in 1983 by 19-year-old Jimmy John Liautaud in a converted garage in Charleston, Ill. Since its inception, the company has grown to over 1,900 corporate and franchised locations in 43 states through the U.S. Unlike any other sub shop in the country, Jimmy John's is all about the freshest ingredients and fastest service. The French and whole-wheat bread is baked in-house daily and every vegetable, cheese and all-natural meat is freshly sliced at the restaurant each and every day. For more information visit, www.jimmyjohns.com and check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jimmyjohns.

ABOUT THE FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION

Folds of Honor Foundation was founded in May 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 Fighter Pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, PGA Professional, and USGA member. Based in Owasso, Okla., Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower military families by providing educational scholarships and other assistance for the children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. Since its inception, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 5,500 educational scholarships to military families. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.FoldsofHonor.org. Connect with Folds of Honor on Facebook (www.facebook.com/foldsofhonor) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/foldsofhonor).

SOURCE Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops