LAS VEGAS (AP) — The founder of Jimmy John’s sandwich shops is hosting an event supporting Mitt Romney in Las Vegas on Thursday.

The Republican National Committee announced in a statement Wednesday night that Jimmy John Liautaud (LEE’-uh-tohd) will hold a business round table discussion to support Romney.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held at 2 p.m. at the Romney campaign’s Nevada headquarters at 9640 West Tropicana Ave.

Romney has mentioned Liautaud on the campaign trail as an example of a successful entrepreneur.

The Champaign, Ill.-based Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches was founded in 1983 and now has more than 1,200 locations.

Food-industry consulting firm Technomic has listed the company as one of the fastest growing food chains in the country for the past several years.

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