When planning catering for an event whether it’s a corporate lunch, wedding reception, birthday party, or holiday gathering most hosts focus on the main items like sandwiches, wraps, and party boxes. But ask any experienced event planner, and they’ll tell you: sides make the meal complete.

Sides like chips, pickles, cookies, and salads do more than just fill plates. They add variety, balance flavors, and give guests the freedom to customize their meals. For businesses, offering a range of sides shows attention to detail, while for family parties, they help keep both kids and adults happy.

Jimmy John’s sides menu is designed with this philosophy in mind simple, crowd-pleasing, affordable, and easy to serve. Whether you’re hosting 10 coworkers or 100 wedding guests, sides are what transform a basic catering spread into a memorable dining experience.

Let’s take a closer look at the most popular sides available through Jimmy John’s catering:

1. Jimmy Chips
   • Flavors: Regular, BBQ, Jalapeño, Salt & Vinegar
   • Why they’re a fan favorite in catering spreads
   • Portion planning (individual bags = easy distribution)
2. Jumbo Kosher Dill Jimmy Pickles
   • One jumbo pickle cut into 4 spears
   • Low-calorie, vegetarian-friendly, refreshing flavor balance
   • Popular for both corporate and casual events
3. Fresh Baked French Bread
   • Add-on option for guests who love extra bread
   • Great for large events and DIY sandwich stations
   • Cost-effective filler for catering on a budget
4. Side of Avocado Spread
   • Premium add-on for health-conscious & avocado lovers
   • Nutritional benefits (healthy fats, vitamins)
   • Ideal for custom sandwich builds in catering events
5. Ranch Cup
   • Creamy dipping sauce for chips, sandwiches, or bread
   • Perfect for parties where guests like extra flavor
   • Small but impactful catering upgrade

• Adds Variety: Not every guest wants just a sandwich. Offering sides ensures there’s something for everyone.
• Balances Nutrition: Chips and cookies bring comfort, while pickles and salads add freshness.
• Accommodates Dietary Needs: Gluten-free and low-calorie guests can enjoy pickles or salads.
• Increases Satisfaction: Guests feel like they’ve had a “full meal” when sides are included.

Selecting sides isn’t just about taste it’s about strategy. Here’s how to choose wisely:

1. Consider the Event Type

• Corporate Lunch: Stick to simple, individually packaged items like chips and cookies.
• Birthday Party: Include sweet options like cookies alongside savory chips.
• Holiday Events (Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July): Mix in festive options cookies with themed decorations or extra pickle platters for sharing.

2. Know Your Guest Demographics

• Kids: More cookies, fewer pickles.
• Adults: Balanced mix of chips and pickles.
• Health-Conscious Guests: Add salads, waters, and baked chips if available.

3. Keep the Budget in Mind

• Chips are the most cost-effective side.
• Pickles offer a budget-friendly healthy option.
• Cookies, while slightly higher in cost, add perceived value for very little extra spend.

Portion Planning for Sides

Here’s a simple guide for planning Jimmy John’s sides per person:

Guest Count	Chips Bags	Pickle Spears	Cookies	Notes
10 guests	10 bags	5 pickles	10	1 side each
25 guests	25 bags	12 pickles	20–25	Add variety
50 guests	50 bags	25 pickles	40–50	Order bulk cookies
100 guests	100 bags	50 pickles	90–100	Include salads if available

Pro Tip: Always order 10% extra sides to account for guests who want more than one.

Sides for Different Occasions

Corporate Lunches

• Chips and cookies for easy distribution.
• Pickles for refreshing breaks.
• Bottled drinks bundle for hydration.

Birthday Parties

• Kids: More cookies and chips.
• Adults: Add pickles and maybe a salad option.

Seasonal Festivals & Holidays

• Halloween (US & UK): Sweet cookies for kids, sodas & chips for adults.
• Christmas: Cookie platters and extra bottled drinks.
• Super Bowl Sunday (US): Chips are non-negotiable stock up!
• Bonfire Night (UK): Warm drinks bundle + cookies work well with sides.

Expert Catering Insights

• Pairing Tip: Chips go best with party boxes, while cookies pair better with box lunches.
• Cost-Saving Strategy: Mix sides chips for the majority, cookies for premium touch.
• Health Balance: Always include at least one low-calorie side (like pickles).

When planning catering, guests don’t just want delicious food they want balanced nutrition. Jimmy John’s premium sides deliver variety while catering to different dietary needs.

Here’s a breakdown of the average nutrition values (varies slightly by flavor/size):

Side Item	Calories	Fat	Protein	Carbs	Best For
Jimmy Chips® (1 bag)	260–290	14–16g	3–4g	28–30g	Crunch lovers, portion-controlled snack
Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle (¼ spear)	20	0g	0g	1–2g	Low-calorie, refreshing option
Fresh Baked French Bread (single piece)	250–280	2–3g	9–10g	52–55g	Bread lovers, hearty eaters
Side of Avocado Spread (1 serving)	90–100	8–9g	1g	3–4g	Health-conscious, good fats
Ranch Cup (1 small cup)	140	14g	1g	2g	Flavor boost, dipping

💡 Insight: Offering a mix ensures you satisfy both indulgent eaters (chips, ranch, bread) and fitness-focused guests (pickles, avocado spread).

Jimmy John’s catering sides are budget friendly yet add big value to meals. Here’s an estimated price analysis (varies by region):

Side Item	Avg. Price	Cost Per Person	Event Use Case
Jimmy Chips®	$1.50–$2.00 per bag	$2	Most affordable individual side
Pickle (cut into 4)	$1.50–$2.00 per jumbo pickle	$0.50 per guest	Perfect budget-friendly add-on
French Bread	$2.50–$3.00 per loaf	$0.75–$1 per guest	Large events, DIY sandwiches
Avocado Spread	$1.50–$2.00 per serving	$1.50	Premium/healthy option
Ranch Cup	$0.50–$0.75	$0.50	Flavor upgrade

Takeaway: On average, you can add a premium side for less than $2 per person making it one of the smartest catering investments.

Jimmy John’s offers a variety of Jimmy Chips to satisfy every crunch craving. From classic and smoky to tangy and spicy, these kettle-cooked chips are the perfect sidekick to your sub. Choose from flavors like:

• Regular – Classic salted crunch
• BBQ – Sweet and smoky flavor
• Jalapeño – Spicy with a peppery kick
• Salt & Vinegar – Tangy and bold
• Thinny Chips – Lower fat, same great crunch
• Variety Jimmy Chips – A mixed selection for everyone
• Kickin Ranch Chips – Zesty ranch flavor with a spicy twist

Each bag is around 1.5 oz, ideal for pairing with half or full sandwiches. Their durable packaging also makes them perfect for boxed lunches and on-the-go meals.

Jimmy John’s pickles are a fan favorite. These jumbo kosher dills are brined to perfection and served whole or halved. The flavor is bright, tangy, and slightly garlicky exactly what you want to cut through a meaty sandwich. Their natural crunch and zero-calorie count make them a guilt-free snack or side.

Jimmy John’s Fresh Baked French Bread is made in-store every day to ensure top freshness. With a crispy golden crust and soft, chewy center, it’s the signature base for all Jimmy John’s sandwiches. Perfect for custom orders, catering, or enjoying on its own, this bread is a true staple of the Jimmy John’s experience.

Jimmy John’s Side of Avocado Spread is a creamy, ready-to-serve add-on made from real avocado, blended to a smooth consistency. Whether you’re customizing a sub or looking for a dairy-free, plant-based topping, this spread delivers a rich, buttery texture and mildly seasoned flavor that enhances any sandwich or wrap.

Each portion is about 90 calories, offering healthy fats and a smooth texture that contrasts well with crunchy elements like chips or pickles.

Jimmy John’s Ranch is cool, creamy, and packed with classic buttermilk-herb flavor. Available as a 1-oz dipping cup. Jimmy John’s brings flavor to the next level with its two crave worthy ranch options: the smooth and tangy Homestyle Ranch and the spicy, signature Kickin’ Ranch. Available in both small and large sizes, these dips are the perfect complement to Jimmy Chips, sandwiches, and catering bundles.

Portion Planning Guide

The biggest challenge in catering isn’t ordering it’s ordering just the right amount. Here’s a side by side portion planning table:

Guest Count	Chips Bags	Pickles (Jumbo, cut into 4)	French Bread	Avocado Cups	Ranch Cups
10 Guests	10 bags	3 pickles (12 spears)	2 loaves	5	10
25 Guests	25 bags	6 pickles (24 spears)	5 loaves	12–15	25
50 Guests	50 bags	12 pickles (48 spears)	10 loaves	25	50
100 Guests	100 bags	25 pickles (100 spears)	20 loaves	50	100

Pro Tip: Always order 10–15% extra sides. Guests love “seconds,” especially when it comes to chips and pickles.

Seasonal & Festival Catering with Sides

Sides shine during special occasions, both in the US and UK. Here’s how they fit different events:

• Halloween Parties (US & UK): Chips + ranch dip are perfect for spooky snack tables.
• Thanksgiving Weekend (US): French bread works great for leftover sandwiches.
• Christmas & New Year (US & UK): Pickles + cookies balance festive meals.
• Super Bowl Sunday (US): Ranch cups + chips are game-day essentials.
• Bonfire Night (UK): Bread + ranch pair with grilled foods.
• Graduation Parties : Chips & avocado spread appeal to teens and young adults.

Expert Tips for Catering with Premium Sides

1. Mix It Up: Offer at least 3 different sides in every order.
2. Balance Indulgence & Health: Chips for fun, avocado & pickles for wellness.
3. Think Presentation: Arrange chips in baskets, pickles on platters, dips in neat cups.
4. Bundle Smartly: Pair sides with Drinks Bundle for a complete catering experience.
5. Scale by Event Type: More bread for large parties, more avocado spreads for office lunches.