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MANASQUAN, N.J. — Private equity funds managed by Blackstone have agreed to acquire a majority ownership position in Jersey Mike’s Subs. The deal would value the Manasquan-based sandwich restaurant chain at around $8 billion, including debt, according to The Wall Street Journal. Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will maintain a significant equity stake and continue to lead the business. Blackstone says the partnership is intended to help Jersey Mike’s accelerate its expansion across and beyond the U.S. market, as well as its continued investment in technology and digital transformation. New York City-based Blackstone has a long history of investing in and propelling the growth of franchisors, including its previous acquisitions of Hilton Hotels and SERVPRO. The firm has recently invested in Tropical Smoothie Café and 7 Brew Coffee. The first Jersey Mike’s shop was founded as Mike’s Subs in Point Pleasant, N.J., in 1956. Cancro began working at the store when he was 14 years old, and later acquired the location in 1975 at the age of 17. He began franchising units in 1987. Today, Jersey Mike’s is a national franchisor with more than 3,000 locations nationwide open and in development. The transaction is expected to be completed …