High school sports are more than just touchdowns and championships. It’s where raw talent meets life lessons, forging tomorrow’s leaders. For Peter Cancro, the $7 billion man behind Jersey Mike’s Subs, the gridiron wasn’t just a playing field—it was his foundation. Selling the Manasquan company to Blackstone, which made him one of the world’s 500 richest people, Cancro remains vocal about the impact of high school sports that shaped his billion-dollar success. Who knows, you might be Richie Rich after reading his story.

Appearing on the Shore Sports Network Podcast with Kevin Williams, Peter Cancro reflected on his journey from a young football player to a global CEO. His story begins humbly in 1971, when as a 14-year-old, he worked at Mike’s Subs, a Jersey Shore staple. By 17, when the owner decided to sell, Cancro’s high school football coach believed in him enough to co-sign a $125,000 loan. “As a kid, coaches believed in me and pushed me to see beyond what I thought was possible,” he shared. That belief not only launched his career but also instilled the team-first mentality that would define Jersey Mike’s culture.

Mr. CEO’s love for sports runs deep, and he carries it into his business philosophy. During franchise onboarding, one of his go-to questions is, “Did you play any sports or extracurriculars in high school?” This isn’t just small talk; it’s a window into a candidate’s character. “High school sports teach you about putting others before yourself,” he said to Kevin. Cancro credits his own coaches—White, Fioretti, and Michigan—for molding him with values like teamwork, perseverance, and generosity. These lessons are now core to Jersey Mike’s ethos of giving back, evident in the chain’s massive community outreach programs.

The parallels between the gridiron and the boardroom are undeniable. Just as Cancro’s Beach High coaches demanded grit and resilience, he now expects the same from his team. His philosophy: success isn’t about individual glory but about lifting everyone up together. “Sports aren’t just about the game; they’re about life,” Peter Cancro emphasized, underscoring the invaluable role of mentors.

How it all began for Peter Cancro?

Back in 1975, when he was a high school senior gearing up for law school, life took a wild turn. Peter’s mom casually mentioned, “Mike’s is for sale. Why don’t you buy it?” He laughed at first, but by the time Cancro climbed the stairs, he was all in. The now CEO hustled, knocking on doors to raise $125K. A potential partner offered half, but on a hunch, he called Rod Smith his Pop Warner football coach. His faith in him sealed the deal. Back then, trust and a handshake got you across the goal line.

Now, Peter Cancro climbed the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and worth about $7.54 billion, according to the list. This ranks him close to the Dallas Mavericks NBA team owner Mark Cuban, who’s worth $7.86 billion.

From a teenage entrepreneur with a dream to a global CEO, Cancro’s journey is proof of how formative experiences shape lifelong success. For him, football turned out to be the playbook for building a billion-dollar empire.