Name: Mike Nelson
Profession: CEO and Foodie, Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop
Age: 60
What do you do for a living?
I am the CEO of Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop, a premier sandwich shop with locations across the Valley offering craveworthy sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more for the whole family.
What type of training do you need to do your job?
While three weeks of franchisee training is required, this role requires a love for business and a love for sandwiches of course!
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is introducing the community to our food. There is nothing like seeing the amazing reaction from someone when they bite into a Big Jake for the first time. Creating smiles with our food is what fuels us and why we have made it our brand mission for guests to enjoy every sandwich.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
From a young age, I was inspired by food and saw myself working in the food industry. While gaining knowledge and experience at my first job in the deli of a grocery store, I wanted to expand my passion for food and combine this with my growing interest in business. This drove me to explore restaurant management. Thirty years later and I haven’t looked back!
What advice would you give to a kid who wants to have a similar career?
Don’t be afraid to go for it and take that big first step. Also, do what you really love and explore how an interest as unique as sandwiches could help you find a potential career path.
One fun fact NOT about your job?
I met my wife of 36 years, Linda, while working that first job at the deli! We were high school sweethearts and went to prom together. Linda is a pretty big “dill” to me and even inspired me to create the delicious “Listen Linda,” one of our specialty sandwiches at Mr. Pickle’s!
