1967
80
$411,250
$30,000
$706,500
No
Are you looking for a franchise investment that combines a nostalgic, loyal customer base with a modern, proven quick-service restaurant (QSR) model? Look no further than D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches. A true New England legend for over five decades, D'Angelo offers prospective franchisees a chance to own a piece of a deeply entrenched, community-focused brand renowned for its crave-able, freshly-grilled sandwiches.
In today's competitive fast-casual landscape, D'Angelo stands out. Our core differentiation is the grill. While many sandwich concepts offer cold or toasted subs, D'Angelo has perfected the art of the grilled sandwich, making us the go-to destination for hot, hearty, and indulgent favorites like the legendary Number 9® Steak and Cheese. This unique grilling process, combined with proprietary, fresh-baked bread and high-quality ingredients, has cultivated an intensely loyal following. With a successful business model, established operating systems, and a commitment to fresh, delicious food, D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is perfectly positioned for strategic expansion in the USA market. Join a family of successful operators and leverage a brand that customers know, love, and visit repeatedly—nearly 60% of our guests visit at least three times per month.
1. Proven, Long-Standing Business Model: Benefit from a concept that has been successfully operating and perfecting its systems for over 55 years, weathering multiple economic cycles and evolving consumer trends.
2. Unique Menu Differentiation: The grill is our competitive edge. The focus on freshly grilled sandwiches, including the famous Number 9®, sets D'Angelo apart from the saturated cold-sandwich market, driving customer visits and high average unit sales.
3. Exceptional Brand Loyalty: D'Angelo is a regional icon in New England, boasting a fiercely loyal, nostalgic customer base. This established brand recognition significantly reduces initial marketing hurdles in current and adjacent markets.
4. Multiple Revenue Streams: Beyond in-store sales, franchisees can tap into lucrative revenue channels through the brand’s robust Catering Program, serving office gatherings, events, and large groups, further increasing sales potential.
5. Strong Operational Support: Franchisees receive comprehensive, ongoing assistance from a leadership team with decades of combined industry expertise, ensuring you have the tools to succeed from day one.
6. Opportunity for Multi-Unit Development: D’Angelo is actively seeking qualified investors for both single-unit and multi-unit development, offering a scalable path to build a significant restaurant portfolio.
Established Year: 1967
Founders: Brian J. McLaughlin and Jay Howland (started as "Ma Riva's Sub Shop")
Company History & Brand Journey: Founded in Dedham, Massachusetts, D'Angelo quickly became a New England staple. The name was changed to Angelo Sub Shop and later evolved to D'Angelo (the 'D' supposedly standing for 'Delicious'). Early success was built on vertical integration, including owning its own bakery (Liberty Bakery) for proprietary fresh bread and a distribution center (Progressive Foods). The brand was acquired by PepsiCo in 1993, then by Papa Gino's Holdings Corporation in 1997. After a period of restructuring, the company was acquired by Wynnchurch Capital in 2019 and now operates under the parent company New England Authentic Eats, LLC. This history underscores its resilience and potential under strong current ownership.
Current Ownership: New England Authentic Eats, LLC
Key Leadership: Tom Sterrett (President & CEO)
Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) / Sandwich Shop / Fast-Casual
Market Presence in USA: D'Angelo is a dominant regional leader, with over 80 units primarily concentrated across New England: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Recent plans indicate readiness for expansion in adjacent and new U.S. markets.
Franchise Units: The system comprises a mix of company-owned and franchised locations, with a strong focus on growing the franchised footprint.
D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches provides a comprehensive support system designed to equip every franchisee for success:
Pre-Launch Support (Site Selection & Construction):
Real Estate & Site Selection: Assistance in identifying optimal high-traffic, high-visibility trade areas.
Construction & Design: Providing prototype plans and equipment specifications for standard in-line or free-standing restaurants (typically 1,800-2,000 sq. ft.) or food court locations (minimum 750 sq. ft.).
Vendor Sourcing: Access to a trusted network of approved suppliers for equipment and initial inventory.
Initial Training (Academic & On-the-Job):
Intensive 5-Week Training Program: This mandatory program combines rigorous classroom instruction with extensive on-the-job training.
Classroom Instruction: Covers essential business topics including leadership, recruiting, personnel policy, performance appraisal, and cost analysis.
Operational Training: Detailed instruction on D'Angelo's proprietary systems, food preparation techniques (especially the grilling process), high-quality standards, food safety, and point-of-sale (POS) software utilization.
Operational & Ongoing Support:
Field Operations Consultants: Regular on-site visits from Franchisee Business Consultants to assist in evaluating business areas, maximizing assets, and controlling costs.
Proprietary Software & Accounting: Access to a sophisticated software package that simplifies business accounting by tracking key cost systems like sales, food, and labor.
Communications: Ongoing updates through weekly and monthly newsletters, operational updates, quarterly franchise meetings, and committee participation.
Marketing Support:
Innovative Marketing Programs: Effective, innovative marketing campaigns developed by an experienced in-house team.
Advertising & Promotions: Provision of professional marketing materials, including in-store promotions, local shop marketing toolkits, and new product launch support.
Digital & Social Media Support: Guidance on regional advertising, social media strategy, SEO, and the utilization of the brand's popular loyalty program/app.
New Product Development: Products are rigorously tested in a state-of-the-art test kitchen before being rolled out to the system, ensuring market readiness.
D'Angelo is seeking passionate, experienced, and financially capable entrepreneurs who are ready to immerse themselves in the brand and their community.
Business & Operational Experience: The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years of multi-unit franchise restaurant experience and a strong operational background, demonstrating an ability to manage complex QSR environments.
Leadership & Management: Must possess strong leadership, hiring, and team training skills to build and motivate a high-performing local staff.
Community Focus: A deep commitment to local restaurant marketing and becoming an integral part of the neighborhood, aligning with D'Angelo's community-partner philosophy (e.g., the EveryDAy Heroes program).
Financial Capability: Must meet the minimum financial requirements necessary to secure financing and ensure a successful launch.
Location Preference: The primary focus for immediate expansion is typically in New England and adjacent U.S. markets, but multi-unit developers with a minimum commitment may be considered for larger territories outside the core region, such as greater Orlando, FL (check the latest FDD for current target areas).
(Note: Financial figures are representative ranges based on available data and are subject to change. Prospective franchisees must refer to the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.)
