Does Jimmy John's Scoop Out the Bread?

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

For some sandwiches, the answer is a definite yes. The practice, often called "gutting" by employees, is a standard procedure for certain menu items to balance ingredients and reduce the amount of bread in each bite. However, this isn't a universal rule for every sub on the menu, and customers have the option to request otherwise.

Quick Summary

This article explains Jimmy John's policy regarding scooping bread, detailing which sandwiches are prepared this way and the reasons behind the practice. It also covers how customers can request to keep the bread intact and offers alternatives like the popular Unwich.

Key Points

Standard Practice: Jimmy John's automatically scoops the bread (TBO) on certain 'Originals' menu items, specifically numbers 1 through 6, and sometimes the #13.
Reasons for Scooping: The bread is scooped to balance flavors, improve texture, make the sandwich easier to eat, and contain ingredients more effectively.
Customer Customization: You can request to have the bread left in (LBI) when ordering.
No-Bread Option: The 'Unwich' is a lettuce-wrapped version of any sub, offering a low-carb, gluten-free, and lighter alternative.
Different Sub Types: Clubs and other specialty sandwiches are typically not scooped unless requested by the customer.
Bread 'Guts': Some locations will give you the excess bread, or "guts," on the side if you ask.

The Bread Scooping Practice at Jimmy John's

When you order a sub from Jimmy John's, the bread-to-filling ratio might not be what you expect. The franchise has a specific, if not widely advertised, policy regarding bread preparation for certain sandwiches. The practice, sometimes referred to as 'gutting' or 'taking the bread out' (TBO), involves removing some of the soft inner portion of the French bread. This is not a random action but a deliberate part of the recipe for specific menu items. According to former employees and customer experiences, this is standard procedure for the original sandwiches, specifically numbers 1 through 6, and sometimes for the #13 as well.

Why Do They Scoop the Bread?

The rationale behind this practice is multi-faceted and primarily focuses on the customer's eating experience. By removing a portion of the bread, Jimmy John's aims to achieve several goals:

Flavor Balance: The scooped-out bread allows the flavor of the fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, and toppings to take center stage. With less bread to get in the way, each bite offers a more intense and balanced flavor profile.
Improved Texture: The removal of the fluffy inner dough creates more room for the ingredients, preventing the sandwich from becoming overly doughy. This ensures a better texture that features the crunch of the crust and the crispness of the lettuce, rather than a mouthful of soft bread.
Easier Eating: A gutted sandwich is less bulky and easier to manage. The fillings are more contained, reducing the chances of a messy eating experience.
Perceived Healthier Option: While it's not a significant calorie reduction, some customers appreciate the option of less bread, viewing it as a slightly lighter meal. This aligns with the company's offering of low-carb alternatives like the Unwich.

Which Sandwiches Get the Bread Scooped?

The bread scooping primarily applies to the Originals section of the menu. These are the classic subs that built the Jimmy John's brand. Based on customer and employee reports, the sandwiches that typically get the TBO treatment include:

#1 The Pepe: Ham and Provolone
#2 Big John: Roast Beef
#3 Totally Tuna: Tuna Salad
#4 Turkey Tom: Turkey
#5 Vito: Salami, Capocollo, and Provolone
#6 The Veggie: Provolone, Avocado Spread, and Cucumbers
#13 The Jimmy Cubano

It's important to note that this is the standard recipe. For any other sandwich on the menu, such as the Clubs or Favorites, the bread is typically left as is, unless the customer specifies otherwise. However, with the Unwich, the bread is entirely replaced by a lettuce wrap.

Customizing Your Bread at Jimmy John's

Jimmy John's prides itself on customization and freaky fast service, and this extends to how your bread is prepared. If you prefer the soft interior of the bread, you have a couple of options when ordering:

Request 'LBI': When ordering, you can simply ask the staff to "Leave the Bread In" (LBI). This is a common term understood by employees and ensures your sandwich comes with the full amount of bread.
Ask for the 'Guts': For sandwiches where the bread is normally scooped, some locations will even wrap the excess bread, or "guts," and give it to you on the side if you ask.

This level of customization demonstrates the company's commitment to customer preference. While the default recipe for certain items includes TBO, it's not an unchangeable policy.

Scoop or No Scoop: A Comparison


Feature	Bread Scooped (TBO)	Bread Left In (LBI)
Flavor Profile	More prominent meat and toppings flavor	Stronger bread flavor, more balanced
Texture	Crispier crust, less doughy, easier to chew	Softer, more substantial, traditional sub texture
Calorie Count	Slightly lower total calories	Higher total calories, standard sub size
Mess Factor	Less messy, ingredients are more secure	Potentially messier, fillings can shift
Preparation	Standard for Originals #1-6 & #13	Requires special request from the customer
Feel	Lighter, less filling	Heartier, more substantial

The Unwich: The Ultimate 'No Bread' Option

For customers who want to eliminate the bread entirely, Jimmy John's offers the popular Unwich. An Unwich wraps all the sandwich fillings in fresh, crisp lettuce leaves instead of bread, making it a great low-carb and gluten-free alternative. Any original or favorite sandwich can be ordered as an Unwich, offering a fresh, crunchy, and lighter meal option. This demonstrates Jimmy John's dedication to catering to different dietary needs and preferences, going beyond simple bread customization.

Conclusion: The Final Slice of the Bread Debate

So, does Jimmy John's scoop out the bread? Yes, they do, but only on specific original subs as a standard part of the recipe to enhance the flavor and balance of ingredients. However, customers are not locked into this practice and can easily request to have the bread left in or opt for a completely bread-free option like the Unwich. This customization is part of the overall freaky fast and fresh experience that Jimmy John's strives to provide. Whether you're a bread lover or prefer to focus on the fillings, Jimmy John's offers a choice for every sandwich enthusiast. For more details on menu options, you can check out the official Jimmy John's menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bread is typically scooped on the 'Originals' menu items, specifically sandwiches #1 through #6 and sometimes the #13. This is part of the standard recipe for these specific subs.

When ordering, you can ask for the bread to be "Left In" or use the employee term "LBI" to ensure the sandwich is not scooped.

Yes, some Jimmy John's locations will give you the excess bread, or "guts," wrapped on the side if you ask when ordering.

Jimmy John's scoops the bread to achieve a better balance of flavors, focusing on the fresh-sliced meats and toppings, and to prevent the sandwich from being too doughy. It also makes the sandwich less messy to eat.

An Unwich is a low-carb, gluten-free alternative where the sandwich fillings are wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves instead of bread. Any sub can be made into an Unwich.

No, the scooping practice is not universal. It is typically only applied to the Originals menu items. Clubs and other sandwiches are usually left with the bread intact unless requested otherwise.

Yes, leaving the bread in will result in a higher calorie count compared to the standard scooped version. For those watching their calories, the TBO method or an Unwich is a lighter option.