MENUMENU
  • Services
    • Services
      • Search Engine Optimization
      • Local SEO
      • Generative Engine Optimization
      • Digital PR
      • Content Marketing
      • Email Marketing Services
      • Lifecycle Marketing
      • Paid Media Advertising
      • Social Media Marketing
      • Creative Design Services
      • Conversion Rate Optimization
      • Website Design & Development
      • Amazon Marketing Services
      • Franchise Marketing
      • Franchise Development
      • National to Local Marketing
      • Reporting and Data Analytics
      • Digital Marketing Strategy
  • Who We Serve
    • Who We Serve
      • Franchise Marketing
      • B2B Marketing
      • Lead Generation
      • Ecommerce
      • We Build Custom Strategies
      • View Sample Industries
  • About Us
    • About Ignite Visibility
      • Our Story
      • Our Values
      • Our Team
      • Clients
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Our Blog
      • Marketing Resources
      • Franchise Marketing Resources
      • Careers
      • Hiring Notice
  • Case Studies
  • Awards
  • Contact
  • 619.752.1955
Home / Industry News / Darin Dugan, CMO at Jimmy John’s (Ignite Marketer of the Week)

Darin Dugan, CMO at Jimmy John’s (Ignite Marketer of the Week)

January 25, 2021 By John Lincoln

Darin Dugan, CMO at Jimmy John’s
Darin Dugan, CMO at Jimmy John’s – Ignite Marketer of the Week

In this edition of Marketer of the Week, Ignite Visibility spotlights Darin Dugan, Chief Marketing Officer at Jimmy John’s.

Jimmy John’s

Ignite Visibility applauds Jimmy John’s for the company’s free side promotion during the month of January.

Guests who want the free side dish need to purchase an 8” or 16” sandwich online or with the Jimmy John’s app. They just need to use the promo code “FREESIDE.”

The offer is good now through the end of the month.

The promotion is aimed at reinforcing the importance of contactless service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimmy John’s offers the free sides to people who opt for curbside pickup or delivery at home.

Here’s what the company says about its month-long offering: “Jimmy John’s helps fill up your family and satisfy sandwich cravings for less while staying safe at home. Jimmy John’s has been offering unique codes throughout quarantine to help as people find themselves in new working and at home situations, and in many cases, both at the same time. The upcoming promotion will also be supported by a campaign that will run on digital video platforms.”

Darin Dugan

This past March, Jimmy John’s appointed Darin Dugan to head up marketing for the company’s 2,800-unit sandwich chain.

He now manages advertising, menu development, brand marketing, planning, and new product development.

Dugan also handles loyalty program efforts that the company offers via digital platforms.

He reports directly to James North, company president.

“Darin has proven he can do it all over the course of his remarkable career,” North said in a statement. “His leadership, creativity, innovation and singular focus on guest experience will help accelerate the growth of Jimmy John’s. I look forward to partnering with Darin and realize his bold new vision for the brand.”

Before landing at Jimmy John’s, Dugan was VP of Marketing at Sonic Drive-In. That’s a chain operated by Inspire Brands – the same company that operates Jimmy John’s.

While at Sonic, Dugan handled brand management as well as social and digital marketing. He also worked with the fast food company’s development team.

Before joining Sonic, Dugan held leadership roles at Applebee’s and Kraft Foods.

During his tenure at Kraft, he led the Oscar Mayer and Lunchables brands.

Changes at Inspire Brands

Like many other companies last March, Inspire Brands was forced to make some adjustments. Many of those adjustments happened with company leadership.

It’s not clear if all of those changes were related to the pandemic, though.

During the past couple of years, Jimmy John’s expanded its Freaky Fast Rewards loyalty program. As of March, more than 1.8 million people had signed up for it.

And in October 2019, Jimmy John’s launched a promotion for a new sandwich that included the first nationwide augmented reality Snapchat lens.

Clearly, the company tries to appeal to the cool kids.

The Acquisition

Inspire Brands acquired Jimmy John’s for an undisclosed amount in 2019. It wasn’t even six months later when the company appointed Dugan to head up marketing for the chain.

Clearly, management believed that something was lacking and that Dugan could meet that need.

One of the reasons Inspire acquired Jimmy John’s is because company leadership expected to assist the Jimmy John’s on the digital front. Inspire has made significant investments in its data and analytics platform.

By the way, that acquisition made Inspire the fourth-largest restaurant company in the United States. The company now rakes in more than $14 billion in sales annually.

Inspire was formed when private equity firm Roark Capital Group merged Buffalo Wild Wings with Arby’s back in 2018.

Wrapping It Up

Now that states are allowing restaurants to open up again, Darin Dugan’s job may shift a bit.

Still, it’s cutthroat competition in the food service industry. So he’ll still face some challenges.

But if his professional background is any guide, he’s ready for them.

Related Posts

  • Cole Bubenik, Content Marketer at RoundUp App - Ignite Marketer of the Week

    In this edition of Marketer of the Week, Ignite Visibility spotlights Cole Bubenik, content marketer…

  • Lynne Biggar, CMO at Visa (Ignite Marketer of the Week)

    In this edition of Marketer of the Week, Ignite Visibility spotlights Lynne Biggar, Chief Marketing…

  • Adrian Tobey, Founder of Groundhogg (Ignite Marketer of the Week)

    In this edition of Marketer of the Week, Ignite Visibility spotlights Adrian Tobey, the founder…

About John Lincoln

John Lincoln (MBA) is the CEO of Ignite Visibility, a top performance marketing agency backed by Mountaingate Capital. A digital marketing strategist and keynote speaker, Lincoln has managed over 1,000 marketing programs for brands like DoorDash, HBO, Tony Robbins, and Experian. Under his leadership, Ignite Visibility has been named a leading digital marketing agency in the U.S. and made the Inc. 5,000 list six times. Lincoln also spearheaded the development of CertaintyTech, a cutting-edge media mix modelling and forecasting platform. An award-winning marketer, Lincoln has authored three books, including Advolution (2022), and produced films such as SEO: The Movie. Recognized as a Top Business Leader, he has been featured in Forbes and The New York Times and spoken at global events like Web Summit and SMX. Lincoln's mission is to empower businesses through innovative digital strategies while reinvesting in clients, employees, and the community.

About Ignite

Ignite Visibility is a premier full-service digital marketing agency. We were founded in San Diego, CA but are now a 100% remote-first company with Igniters and clients around the globe.

Ignite Visibility is one of the highest awarded digital marketing agencies in the industry, works with some of the biggest brands in the world and is a 6x Inc. 5000 company.

noun-trading

Our Services

Ignite Visibility offers Award-Winning Services including comprehensive full-funnel digital marketing strategies. Learn more about our most popular service offerings below:

  • SEO Search Engine Optimization
  • PPC Pay Per Click
  • Email Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Creative
  • View All Services

Contact Us. Let’s Chat!

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

Marketing Guides

SEO In 2020: How To Prepare For Major Disruption

"SEO: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

"Social Media Marketing: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

Amazon Seller Central vs Vendor Central

Listen To The Podcast Featuring The Best Minds In Marketing

John Lincoln Interviews Global Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy at Qualcomm, Jessica Jensen

Check Out 227 Free Online Marketing Classes

The 2020 Guide To Dominating SEO With Advanced Schema

Learn More About Our Digital Marketing Agency

Learn More About Our SEO Services

Learn More About Our Paid Media Services

SELECT CATEGORY

Become A Contributor

Interested in writing for Ignite Visibility?

APPLY NOW

noun-chat

Let's Chat

Ready to grow your online visibility and sales?

Request Your Free Proposal

Work With Us

NEWSLETTER // SIGN UP NOW










noun-strategy

Free Marketing Resources

  • Digital Marketing Resources
  • Marketing Strategy Videos
  • Weekly Marketing News Recaps
noun-strategy

Most Popular Blogs

  • How Long Does SEO Take?
  • Multi-Location SEO: Top Strategies
  • Google AI Overviews: Everything You Need to Know
  • Technical SEO 101
  • 18 Google Ad Extensions You Should Use
  • Complete Guide to Google Responsive Display Ads
  • Capitalizing on Local Service Ads
  • How SEO and PPC Work Together
  • Community Management Best Practices
  • B2B Social Media Marketing Guide
  • VIEW ALL BLOGS
noun-letter

Join Our Newsletter

CONNECT WITH US

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • linkedin

Services

  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Generative Engine Optimization
  • Pay Per Click Management
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Conversion Rate Optimization
  • Website Design & Development
  • Creative Design
  • Content Marketing
  • Digital PR
  • Franchise Marketing
  • Digital Marketing Agency Services

About

  • Our Team
  • Our Values
  • Clients
  • Industry
  • Reviews
  • Careers
  • Marketing Resources
  • Privacy Policy & Service Terms
  • Advertising Disclosures
  • Sitemap

Contact

4370 La Jolla Village Drive
Suite 320
San Diego, California 92122

619.752.1955

Join The Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from Ignite Visibility.











google parther logo

©2025 Ignite Visibility. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service