CapriottisOur History Founded in 1976 in Wilmington, Delaware by siblings Lois and Alan Margolet, Capriotti's was born from a desire to create something unique while honoring family heritage. To this day the whole roast turkeys, quality meats & cheeses, and fresh rolls and produce continue to impress our patrons and earn awards across the country.
WIKIPEDIACapriotti's Sandwich Shop, Inc. A fast casual restaurant chain in the United States. The restaurant chain was founded in Wilmington, Delaware in 1976. Capriotti's has 112 company-owned and franchise locations in 27 states.
Capriotti's specializes in cold, grilled, and vegetarian hoagies or submarine sandwiches. Each restaurant roasts whole turkeys for 12 hours nightly, hand pulls meats, and makes their own meatballs and coleslaw.
In November 2009, the Bobbie, one of Capriotti's signature sandwiches, was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" by AOL.com. The sandwich is made with pulled turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayonnaise. The Margolets named it after their aunt. In 2012, USA Today named Capriotti's one of the "10 Great Places for a Surprising Sandwich."
Capriotti's was founded in Little Italy, Wilmington, Delaware in 1976. The restaurant is named after the founders' grandfather, Philip Capriotti.
In 1988, the second restaurant location opened in New Castle, Delaware.
In 1991, Capriotti's began franchising their restaurants.
In 1993, the first restaurant location in Las Vegas, Nevada was opened on Sahara Avenue, near Las Vegas Boulevard.
In 2004, Ashley Morris and Jason Smylie opened a franchise in Las Vegas. At the time, Morris was the youngest financial adviser at Wells Fargo. Smylie was a software engineer at Bechtel Nevada. Morris and Smylie were also investors in the housing market and made the decision to invest in a franchise after learning that the return on investment was higher than anything they were looking at investing in.
In 2007, Morris and Smylie put the company in escrow. In the following year Morris, Smylie and a group of investors consisting of 95% Las Vegans bought Capriotti's.
Capriotti's had 44 restaurant locations by the end of 2008.
Morris is the CEO of the company.
In 2008 and 2009 the chain was the official sandwich sponsor of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
Capriotti's was ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's top 500 franchise list in 2010 and remained ranked through 2014.
Capriotti's starred on Food Network's Unwrapped in December 2011.
In November 2013, Capriotti's expanded its presence on the East Coast by opening its first location in Washington DC. That year, Capriotti's brought in over $58 million in revenue and experienced a 48% growth over the previous three years.
In 2014, the company was named one of the "Top 10 Best Food Franchises for Your Buck" and one of "America's Best Franchises" by Forbes magazine. The Sandelman & Associates Quick Track Study on the Top 10 Quick Service Restaurant Concepts ranked Capriotti's among the top ten in overall satisfaction and won the award for highest quality and taste in the 2014 study.
Capriotti's is based in Las Vegas, Nevada and has its largest concentration of shops there. They have 112 locations in 27 states. In 2014, it ranked #293 in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. In 2016, Capriotti's was ranked #264 in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500.
The Rehoboth FoodieSo, Answer Me This Question: Where can you get Thanksgiving dinner year-round, on a fresh sub roll, not only here on Rehoboth Avenue, but also in Las Vegas and over 13 other states? Only one place: Capriotti's Sandwich Shop.
The Thanksgiving Dinner sub is called the "Bobbie," apparently named after the Wilmington family's matriarch. It's an overstuffed celebration of fresh turkey (no cold cuts here), cranberry sauce, stuffing, mayo and a tasty combination of spices, perfectly rounded out by their impossibly fresh bread. This sandwich has singlehandedly helped Capriotti's Sandwich Shop expand into over 15 states as of this writing.
Though I have swallowed my fair share of Bobbies, my favorites are the cheesesteak and the chicken cheesesteak. I've said it before, and I'll say it again (well, it was actually first said by gourmet and culinary educator James Beard): "Too few people understand a really good sandwich." Capriotti's Sandwich Shop certainly steps up to the plate with their cheesesteaks/chicken cheesesteaks. Each one is made to order, and everything is fresh.
I get it with a small amount of fried onions, extra pickles, lettuce, tomato, mayo and lots of hot cherry pepper spread. The chicken is always properly cooked, and they're generous with it and the beef. It's so important that a sub like this be eaten immediately to preserve the cold/hot temperature gradient between the lettuce/tomatoes and the meat. Nothing is more disgusting than warm lettuce–especially Iceberg, for goodness' sake. I really believe that this is a big part of a perfect cheesesteak. Obsessive? Maybe. But if I'm going to invest the calories and carbs on a big ol' sub, it better be perfect.
Speaking of calories and carbs, you can get the sub and sandwiches without the rolls in the form of big salads. They also have a selection of vegetarian subs for those so inclined.
I also like their Italian sub, but, to be fair, there is a better Italian sub out there at another Rehoboth deli/sub shop that is reviewed here. The difference is not in the bread and ingredients (all are fresh). The difference is in the technique of building the sub and how the fillings work with the size of the roll and how easy it is to handle. If stuff falls out, it's not made perfectly. Unfortunately, Capriotti's ingredients fall out when you eat it because they stack everything on the roll without folding the meats/cheese over the fillings. It's like a big salad sitting on top of bread. Construction is important when combining all the various textures present in a good Italian sub. The techniques and critical dynamics of Italian sub construction and consumption are often overlooked and must be addressed! And who else but your Foodie has the inclination (or perhaps the lack of good sense) to keep track of these things for you!?
Do beware of the "large!" I think Capriotti's "large" is the only "large" of anything that I've been unable to finish. They dutifully warned me - and of course I knew better - until the sub came out from behind the counter, partially blocking out the sun, frightening small children and dwarfing everything in its path. It's 20" long (that's more than half of a yardstick!!). Obviously, order it to split, or perhaps as a roadblock or a cleverly disguised weapon. The medium is actually the typical large everywhere else and the perfect dinner size for a growing boy such as myself.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the turkey sub; basically a "Bobbie" without all the Thanksgiving fixin's. The fresh (yup, they roast 'em right there) turkey with lettuce, tomato with nicely spiced oil is delicious. Don't forget the cheese, either. My #1 dining companion cannot get enough of this cool and relatively light sandwich.
Between The Bun: Everything You Should Know About Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
MashedIf you're unfamiliar with Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, that will likely change in the near future. The chain, which was founded in Delaware nearly five decades ago, has since spread across the country. It now boasts locations in 27 states and could be expanding to a city near you soon, as the chain is growing at one of the highest rates of any company in the United States (via Inc.). This is great news for hungry diners-the brand is known for making some of the best sandwiches around. You'll find its creations included on many a "Top Sandwiches" list, including Mashed's!
So, how exactly did this chain go from a single store in Delaware to one of the most talked-about companies in the food industry? From the origin of the restaurant's name and the chain's most famous fan, to how it prepares its savory meats and its appearances on Food Network, here's everything you should know about Capriotti's Sandwich Shop.
The chain's name pays homage to a family member The history of Capriotti's Sandwich Shop can be traced back nearly 50 years to the tiny East Coast city of Wilmington, Delaware. It was here that the brother-sister team of Alan and Lois Margolet opened the first Capriotti's in 1976. The name was chosen to honor their grandfather, Philip Capriotti, who always loved cooking Italian meals.
Most great success stories start with humble beginnings, and that was certainly the case for Capriotti's. The siblings operated their shop beholden to a decidedly simple business strategy: to make great sandwiches that "real turkey lovers" would, well, love. As such, the turkeys were whole-roasted and all ingredients were handmade.
The company was purchased by a superfan In the late 1990s, Ashley Morris was a typical college student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. One day, his roommate took him to a new sandwich shop. Morris ordered the store's best-known sandwich, the Bobbie, and was immediately hooked. "I started eating there every day," he later told QSR Magazine. "I even broke my lease to move closer to a Capriotti's."
Five years later, Morris was working in the finance sector but still getting his daily Capriotti's fix. "I was in there every day watching the customers and realizing what a fantastic business model it was," he said. "So I bought my first franchise." Morris would go on to own three Capriotti's locations in the Henderson, Nevada area, according to Entrepreneur. When the stores proved to be successful, Morris asked Capriotti's founders, Lois and Alan Margolet, if he could become an area developer for the brand. They had a different idea.
The Margolets had expanded Capriotti's to 44 locations by this time, yet knew the brand had the potential to be a national chain. They just needed someone else to take it there. With that in mind, the pair offered to sell the entire company to Morris, an opportunity he was quick to jump on. "As soon as I heard that," Morris recalled, "I was fully committed." On Jan. 1, 2008, Morris took over as Capriotti's CEO, a position he still holds to this day.
Capriotti's is known for the high-quality meats it uses in its sandwiches There is no shortage of sandwich chains across the country, not to mention the ubiquitous corner delis everywhere you look. So how does Capriotti's separate itself from the pack? The answer is right there in the sandwich. Instead of the processed cold cuts you find at some fast-casual chains, Capriotti's prepares its protein in-house, ensuring the meat is fresh and flavorful. It's been this way since day one.
MashedThe practice has remained to this day. According to QSR Magazine, every Capriotti's restaurant slow roasts whole turkeys for 12 hours, prepares 20 pounds of top round beef each day, and makes all of its meatballs in-house from scratch. "Everything is super high quality and all natural," Morris said. "That was really the difference between Capriotti's and the rest of the competition that was out there."
The chain's most famous sandwich is The Bobbie The Bobbie, as it is known, consists of slow-roasted turkey that is topped with cranberry sauce, handmade stuffing, and mayo, all squeezed between two slices of fresh-baked bread. According to Philadelphia Weekly, the sandwich was an original menu item when Capriotti's founders Lois and Alan Margolet opened their first store in 1976. It was named after the pair's aunt Bobbie, who devised the family recipe.
Capriotti's is one of the fastest-growing sandwich chains in the country
Talking Turkey: Capriotti's Builds Big Business on Humble Sub
USA TodayThe Scene: Capriotti's is a full-service deli-style sandwich shop, but at its heart and soul, it is, and has always been, all about turkey. The original opened during America's Bicentennial in 1976 in Wilmington, Del., when brother and sister owners Lois and Alan Margolet named the place after their beloved grandfather. Their signature was roasting a whole turkey overnight every night to use in quality sandwiches, and pretty soon they were making a dozen turkeys a night. Word spread, they added shops in nearby Newark and New Castle, and before long the family decided to franchise.
The physical layouts vary by location, but in general Capriotti's are fast food sandwich shops that resemble a slightly more homey version of Subway. Open kitchens are typically set behind a counter area where you can see the sandwiches being made to order, and in some cases, the signature turkey being hand-pulled or shredded. The kitchens have grills where hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks are cooked, and while the locations don't have a lot of character, staff at all the Capriotti's I visited have been uniformly and exceptionally friendly, which along with the made-to-order freshness, adds a bit of warmth to an otherwise cookie-cutter concept.
Many locations are individually owned and while the product is consistent, they have just a bit of that mom-and-pop feel. The other distinctive trait is lots of framed awards on the walls, local and national, as Capriotti's has been named to many television and print lists of America's best sandwich shops.
Reason to Visit: Turkey Sandwiches
The Food: The sandwiches at Capriotti's across the board are good for a fast food chain, better than Subway but not as good as a quality standalone deli, except when it comes to turkey.
In general the bread is unexceptional, whether sliced or rolls, but the quality of the ingredients is fairly high.
While the chain was built on turkey, the menu is much broader, with everything from meatball subs to tuna, plus specials of the day and a surprising array of vegetarian sandwich options.
While the hot and cold subs come in three sizes, the 9-inch small is more than enough for most customers and what many would consider a full-sized sub. The large spans a whopping 20 inches, and there are plenty of fresh toppings included to choose from.
Capriotti's does not focus much on sides, with bagged potato chips available, and some pretty good-looking pre-packaged deserts.
Other than the turkey, the best bet is probably the cheesesteak. This version would pass muster even in Philly, with lots of actual discernible sliced beef, not the shredded, greasy mystery substance often used in these sandwiches. Better than average, and stuffed with meat, provolone and a slew of veggie options that include grilled onions, hot and/or sweet peppers and mushrooms, I'd gladly eat one of these for lunch anytime.
The salads are also surprisingly good and generously sized, with two choices plus a build-your-own option. The Chopped Italian includes chopped greens, salami, capicola ham, pepper ham, cheese, garbanzo beans, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers while the Black & Bleu tops greens with house-made roast beef, tomatoes, cucumbers, lots of sweet peppers and a ton of bleu cheese. The meat was very tasty but the bleu cheese oddly bland. That notwithstanding, this is a much better salad than most fast food chains offer.
But the reason to visit Capriotti's is for the turkey, and it lives up to its billing, fresh, real, hand-shredded, and while it's not the best turkey you'll ever eat, it's a far cry better than the sliced, unnaturally formed stuff most delis use. It is also a quick reminder just how difficult it is to get a good real turkey sandwich.
There are several signature turkey sub variants including the original bestseller, the Bobbie, with cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo. The Cole Turkey pairs poultry with cole slaw, Russian dressing and provolone, the cheese of choice at Capriotti's. The Cran-Slam Club is another top seller, a triple decker on sliced white or wheat bread, not a sub roll, combining the turkey with so-so sliced ham, cranberry sauce and lettuce.
I Tried 4 Cold Sandwiches from Popular Sub Chains, Here's the One I'll Order Again
1st Place Winner: Capriotti's Sandwich Shop (Homemade Turkey)
This sub-chain is a newcomer to my hometown and this was my first experience with it. Clearly, it was awesome because their sub came out on top. What made it so fabulous? Everything. The roll was delicious and substantial without being cumbersome. While that was a highlight, it was the turkey and the toppings that took this sub right to first place. Unlike the other subs which serve up thin slices of turkey, Capriotti's "slow-roasts" theirs and then hand-shreds it. If you think that shouldn't make a difference, I'm here to tell you that it absolutely does. It tastes and looks like the turkey you enjoy on Thanksgiving. That alone made me love this sandwich. The provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo were a perfect pairing and those sweet peppers I added on were the perfect touch. Capriotti's does everything right. I'll be back soon!
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Our MissionCapriotti's
WIKIPEDIACapriotti's Sandwich Shop, Inc.
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
The Rehoboth FoodieSo, Answer Me This Question:
Between The Bun:
Talking Turkey:
I Tried 4 Cold Sandwiches from Popular Sub Chains, Here's the One I'll Order Again
Subsessed?
