Despite being a billionaire, Jersey Mike's CEO continues to slice deli meat behind the counter, just like he did when he was 14 years old.

Currently, Peter Cancro, the billionaire CEO of Jersey Mike's Subs, was once an average 14-year-old who wrapped sandwiches after school at Mike's Subs. Despite his success, he still enjoys getting his hands dirty every now and then.

Cancro, 67, regularly visits Jersey Mike's locations across the U.S. and enjoys working behind the counter and assisting staff.

Cancro stated at the 2024 Restaurant Leadership Conference in April that the Wall Street guys who come down from New York to the Jersey Shore and Bay Head always ask him, "Peter, what are you doing? You're making subs?" To which he responds, "Well, I guess I am."

Before receiving his high school diploma, the New Jersey native, who had worked at Mike's Subs for a few years, secured a $125,000 loan from his football coach, a local banker named Rod Smith, and became the shop's new owner.

The chain has grown to almost 3,000 locations worldwide since 1975. Cancro's net worth has ballooned to an estimated $7.5 billion, according to Bloomberg. Despite his busy schedule, he still slices deli meats and gets face-time with employees "every time I'm in a store," he said at the conference.

Cancro's leadership style is amiable, as he greets employees at stores and helps them with tasks while encouraging them to view their jobs as opportunities for growth and learning, just like he did. His motto is to uplift everyone, including customers, team members, and franchisees.

Good bosses tend to possess the trait of being personable, according to workplace culture expert Bonnie Low-Kramen, as she shared with CNBC Make It last year.

The CEO of a large corporation doesn't often engage in entry-level tasks or converse with employees about their career paths, according to Low-Kramen. However, when they do, it demonstrates their concern for their workers and provides a glimpse into their character.

According to a 2020 Gallup survey, workers have four universal needs when it comes to their bosses: trust, compassion, stability, and hope. Even as a teen, Cancro felt like he mattered at work, and he now tries to connect with his employees in the same way, he told Inc. in 2018.

"Cancro emphasized that the most crucial aspect of building a family culture is for owners and employees to prioritize treating their people with respect and commitment. He stated that this approach would establish a culture that is essential for the growth of the organization. According to Cancro, when individuals feel valued and included, they will remain loyal to the company."

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