Dan Vansteenburg ’93 isn’t just in the business of making sandwiches. He’s in the business of making the world a better place.
That’s the philosophy behind his company, Spin the Planet Enterprises. Over the past two decades, Vansteenburg has opened dozens of stores of the popular sandwich franchise Jimmy John’s. The successful entrepreneur strives to empower his managers and employees to use business as a force for good. He also lends his expertise and mentorship to Franciscan University students as a member of the Business Advisory Board.
But Vansteenburg’s latest Jimmy John’s store has a unique tie to University—one that promises to have a positive impact for years to come.
Building a Business
Dan Vansteenburg ’93
The summer of 1988, Vansteenburg was three weeks away from coming to Franciscan University—the only college he had applied to. Despite struggling with dyslexia throughout school, he had worked hard during his senior year of high school to make the honor roll. He also applied for every scholarship, grant, and loan he could so he could pay his own way through college.
Yet, a phone call from Franciscan’s Financial Aid Office revealed he was still $1,000 short. Financial Aid said they would pray about it, encouraged Vansteenburg to pray, and promised to continue the conversation soon.
The next day, Financial Aid called back. An alum had just sent the University a check for $1,000. An accompanying note stated the money was to be used for a student who couldn’t afford to come to school.
“I was shocked but also felt God had his hand in it,” Vansteenburg says.
Inspired by his own experiences with a learning disability, he majored in education. He also worked two jobs while he was a student.
“The world has so many needs, and Franciscan is really good at developing the heart of a person,” he says. Whether those students pursue nursing, education, business, or another professional field, “the Holy Spirit gives people their gifts.”
“I was shocked but also felt God had his hand in it.”
After graduation, Vansteenburg taught for six years before taking a job in sales to help support his growing family.
At that time, Jimmy John’s had one location in Vansteenburg’s home state of Minnesota. So, when he needed to make another career change, he visited the sandwich shop. He realized this venture was something he could undertake.
“I dove in with two feet and figured it out,” he says.
Vansteenburg and his wife, Brenda, opened their first Jimmy John’s location in 2001. One of his favorite days was handing out the first payroll. He printed the checks in his home office, sealed them in envelopes, and handed them to the employees himself.
“I found what the Holy Spirit’s gifts to me are in building a business, as well as building opportunities for people who manage the restaurants,” he says.
Currently, Vansteenburg owns 45 Jimmy John’s franchises in Minnesota—and, as of April 2024, one in Ohio across the street from his alma mater.
Steubenville Store
Located in Franciscan Square on University Boulevard, Jimmy John’s opened in early April, following a blessing of the store with University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89. It’s the latest addition to the growing Franciscan Square multi-use development, which currently includes a hotel, ice skating rink, restaurants, and businesses.
At the store’s helm as director of Operations is another alumnus, Liam Galligan ’21 MBA ’22.
Liam Galligan ’21 MBA ’22
“I ran almost every street in Steubenville when I was training for track and field—I still do now—and I just came to love the area,” Galligan says. “I want to use a successful business to support the people here, even if that means I just meet you one time to give you a sandwich. If that’s going to make your life a little better, that’s what I want to do.”
After nearly a year of prep work and training, he is grateful to have finally opened the doors in Franciscan Square. Operating a new business has taken everything he learned in the business classroom and “thrown it on a high-speed rail.” But he credits the support from Vansteenburg and the Spin the Planet team with helping to bring everything to fruition, as well as his new store employees with continuing the momentum and working to provide great customer service to everyone from visitors to students to local neighbors.
“I have a solid team, and I’ve been really thankful for them,” he says. “They understand why we’re here and why we’re doing this.”
In addition to bringing new business and serving fresh sandwiches to the Steubenville area, this Jimmy John’s location also has a philanthropic mission. Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg hold 55-percent ownership of the store; they are giving 100-percent of their share of the profits to Franciscan University.
“The money coming back to the campus will be felt by the students, faculty, and staff. We’re excited to be in a position where we could build a store not for us but for the University,” Vansteenburg says.
“I wouldn’t have been able to go to Franciscan without an alum sending in that $1,000 check in 1988,” he adds. “I want to continue to pay it forward.”
“We are so grateful to Dan and Brenda for their ongoing generosity to Franciscan,” says Bob Hickey ’96 MBA ’01, vice president of Advancement at Franciscan University. “Their entrepreneurial commitment benefits both the University and the local community, and the Jimmy John’s store will be a centerpiece of the Franciscan Square development for years to come.”
The Vansteenburgs’ gift is unique, but one they hope may inspire other creative, long-lasting giving opportunities.
“You can feel the prayer and focus on Jesus Christ at Franciscan,” Vansteenburg says. “If there’s a way that we can support that, we’re thrilled to do so and hopefully inspire others, too.”
