Jersey Mike’s Subs has landed in the isles with a sammie-building style and ingredients unlike what you’re used to seeing at sub shops. The Hawaii franchisee plans aggressive expansion, said co-owner George Hernandez, with four stores to open this year in Kapolei, Mililani, Pearl City and Kahului. As many as 20 locations are being considered.

About the business: Founder Peter Cancro started at Mike’s Subs in Point Pleasant, N.J., in 1971, when he was 14. He bought the business at age 17, securing a loan through his football coach, who also was a banker, with the cooperation of his parents. The re-branded Jersey Mike’s Subs has grown to more than 1,500 shops nationwide, through franchisees like Alvaro Garcia, who has 41 locations. Several of them, including the Hawaii Kai store, are in partnership with Hernandez.

About the food: Wheat and white sandwich rolls are baked in each store. The white rolls have a texture that is de rigueur for a proper cheesesteak but which also adds substance to cold subs. Full-size rolls for “giant” sandwiches are about 15 inches long; a regular is about half that.

Meats and cheeses are sliced to order. Sandwiches can be ordered hot or cold, or turned into a salad, called a Sub-in-a-Tub.

Order your sandwich “Mike’s Way” to get onions, lettuce, tomatoes, “the juice” (oil and vinegar), oregano and salt. Add banana peppers, pickles, mayonnaise or a tangy and spicy cherry pepper relish at no extra cost.

“We only charge for extra meat and for avocado,” Hernandez said.

What to order: Top-sellers are the Italian, with provolone, ham, cappacuolo (spicy Italian cured meat), salami and pepperoni ($9.75 for a regular, $15.95 for a giant); and the Big Kahuna Cheese Steak, with grilled onions and peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos and extra cheese ($9.75 or $15.75). There are two other beef-based cheesesteaks and six chicken cheesesteak choices.

Six sandwiches on the menu are available only in Hawaii, Hernandez said, including barbecue pulled chicken, teriyaki beef and a cheeseburger sub.

Grab and go: Jersey Mike’s has eight tables, but only about 40 percent of the business is dine-in. Even Sandra Hernandez, district manager and the boss’s wife, said she enjoys taking her meals to go, eating in the shopping center’s outdoor seating area “with a beautiful view of the ocean.” Parking is plentiful. Orders may be placed online.

Sandwiches can be ordered with “the juice” and, say, cherry pepper relish in small containers if there’ll be a bit of a drive to your dining destination.

Grab and Go focuses on takeout food, convenience meals and other quick bites. Email ideas to crave@staradvertiser.com.