Find a Restaurant Contact Us Employee Portal Who We Are Careers Our Restaurants The Food Community & News Contact | Our Story JAE Restaurant Group looks back on an eventful past which has seen spectacular highlights, starting with its founders Jhonny Mercado, Andres Garcia, and Eddie Rodriguez. While each of them had their own path in the beginning, their journeys eventually crossed paths. As destiny would have it, they would become JAE Restaurant Group in 2014. However, their story is one that predates back to as early as 1993 in the Wendy’s System. Eddie Rodriguez started his Wendy’s career in 1993 and was Co-founder of Bal-Rod Enterprises with Sergio Balsinde. It was then that Eddie opened his 1st Restaurant in Hialeah, FL. Eddie was passive in the Business until 2000 when he and Sergio decided to grow the Business and by the end of the year were Operating 5 Restaurants out of Miami, FL. In 2001 Bal-Rod expanded into Broward County and acquired 4 Restaurants bringing their total to 9 Restaurants. In 2002 Bal-Rod continued to expand now with the purchase of 5 Restaurants out of Orlando, FL. By the end of 2002, with addition on new build Restaurants, Bal-Rod had grown their portfolio to 18 Restaurants. Andres Garcia and Jhonny Mercado joined the Wendy’s family in 1998 operating as Franchisees in Venezuela. Jhonny and Andres paths would officially cross in 2007. Andres and Jhonny, founded JAI International Investment in January 2007, when they acquired their 3 first restaurants in Miami area. Six months later, they bought 2 more. By the end of 2013, JAI International Investment had 37 restaurants located between Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Tampa. In March 2014, JAI International Investment acquired from Wendy’s International 25 restaurants in New Mexico. Becoming a 62 restaurants franchisee. In August 2014, Eddie, Jhonny and Andres decided to merge their companies. Bal-Rod Enterprises with 13 restaurants and JAI International Investment with 62 became JAE Restaurant Group. Soon after, in November, the group acquired 15 restaurants in El Paso, Texas from another franchisee. By the end of the year, JAE had 92 restaurants now within 3 markets: Florida, New Mexico, and Texas, including 2 new restaurants developed by the Company. Between 2014 and 2016, JAE Restaurant Group worked diligently to build its 5 Star management team. The company developed and opened 9 more new restaurants within its markets. JAE also achieved to acquire more restaurants from Wendy’s International. In November 2015 the company added 42 restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, then in August 2016 44 more restaurants in Miami Dade. 2017 was another successful year as JAE Restaurant Group LLC opened 3 restaurants, and in December acquired 34 restaurants in Knoxville, Tennessee, a new market. JAE Restaurant Group LLC began 2021: 216 restaurants in Florida, New Mexico, Texas, and Tennessee $350 million in annual revenue Among the Top 5 franchisees in the Wendy’s system 70 % of its restaurants Image Activated Looking into the future, JAE plans to continue growing stronger; always committed to have a 5 Star Organization where Employees go First and Positively Delight Every Customer. 1993 Eddie Rodriguez Opened 1st Restaurant in Hialeah, FL. 1998 Andres Garcia & Jhonny Mercado joined the Wendy’s Family in Venezuela 2000 Eddie Rodriguez Operated 5th Restaurant in Miami, FL. 2001 Eddie Rodriguez Acquired 4 Restaurants out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 2002 Eddie Rodriguez Purchased 5 Restaurants out of Orlando, FL. 2007 Jhonny Mercado & Andres Garcia acquired 1st 3 Restaurants in Miami, FL. Founded JAI International Investment. 2007 Jhonny Mercado & Andres Garcia Purchased 2 Additional Restaurants. 2007 Eddie Rodriguez received the “Wendy” Award for Superior Operations & People Development 2011 JAI International Investment acquired 14 restaurants in West Palm Beach & Tampa, FL. 2012 Eddie Rodriguez received the “Wendy’s Founder’s” Award given to a Franchisee who has excelled in Operations, People Development, Reinvestment, & Local Marketing Excellence. 2012 JAI International Investment acquired 15 restaurants in Miami & Tampa, FL. 2013 JAI International Investment through New Builds & Acquisitions are Operating 37 Restaurants out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, & Tampa 2013 JAI International Investment developed & opened 2 new restaurants 2013 JAI International Investment received the Exceptional Employer Award from Florida Governor Rick Scott 2014 JAI International Investment acquires 25 Restaurants out of Albuquerque, New Mexico 2014 Jhonny Mercado, Andres Garcia, & Eddie Rodriguez merge companies to become JAE Restaurant Group with 75 Total Restaurants 2014 JAE acquires 15 Restaurants from El Paso, Texas & including 2 New Builds brings JAE to 92 Restaurants 2015 JAE acquires 42 additional Restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale & West Palm Beach. 2016 JAE acquires 44 additional Restaurants in Miami 2017 JAE acquires 34 Restaurants out of Knoxville, Tennessee. 2019 JAE acquires 4 new restaurants in Florida 2019 JAE acquires 13 restaurants in Daytona, Florida Growth by the Numbers “We strive to remain leaders in the nation's evolving quick service restaurant industry by delivering an exceptional experience of quality, service and cleanliness to our customers through high quality food, friendly staff, high operational standards, and being engaged in our communities.” Eddie Rodriguez, Chairman Careers Locations Contact Us Employee Portal & Intranet Who We Are Community & News Site Map Wendy’s Corporate Page JAE Restaurant Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. JAE Restaurant Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call 561-997-6002. Notice to Employment Agencies and Professional Recruiters: JAE Restaurant Group will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any employment agency or professional recruiter (“Agency”) that submits an unsolicited resume to JAE Restaurant Group’s career site or directly to any employee, does so with the understanding that the resume will become the property of JAE Restaurant Group. JAE Restaurant Group will have the right to hire that candidate at its discretion without any fee owed to the Agency. All inquiries by Agencies to become a provider of recruiting services must be directed to and approved by JAE Restaurant Group’s Director of Human Resources. © 2021 JAE Restaurant Group. All Rights Reserved. Optimized Website Design by MoreVisibility