Building a successful franchise portfolio takes more than a concept people love. Beyond consumer appeal, operators need strong unit economics, infrastructure, and support to scale across multiple locations.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is built for that kind of growth. With a structured path to multi-unit ownership, strong unit economics, and continued investment in technology and operational support, Capriotti’s gives franchise partners the tools to keep building.
A Restaurant Franchise Built for Multi-Unit Ownership
Adding a restaurant franchise to a portfolio requires looking beyond the strength of a single location. Experienced operators need to consider whether there is a clear development strategy and infrastructure to support growth as the portfolio expands.
Capriotti’s has built its multi-unit model around those priorities. Through Development Rights Agreements, franchise partners can establish a plan to develop three or more restaurants within a defined territory over an agreed timeline. Development schedules take market potential, capital availability, site selection, and operational readiness into account, giving operators an intentional path to building market density.
That strategy is supported by real estate intelligence, demographic analysis, and ongoing operational resources. At the restaurant level, standardized systems and repeatable processes help teams deliver the same product and guest experience across locations.
Jennifer Ashcraft, Capriotti’s Multi-Unit Franchise Partner of the Year in 2025, shared how each opening has given her more confidence as she continues to expand: “Thinking about the third location, I’m even more armed with the knowledge and what needs to happen.”
Is Capriotti's Sandwich Shop a good franchise to invest in?
In 2025, the top 25% of franchised Capriotti’s shops averaged $1.25 million in annual unit volume, reinforcing the strength of the brand’s unit-level performance.* In addition, Capriotti's prime costs run roughly 10% below the industry benchmark.
"We are achieving Average Unit Volumes that were previously unheard of, and we are really excited to watch those numbers continue to climb,” said David Bloom, Chief Development and Growth Officer.
That confidence is also reflected in how franchise partners are choosing to grow with the brand. Approximately 90% of new Capriotti’s franchise partners are developing at least three locations, while existing owners continue to expand their portfolios with additional units.
Technology and Innovation Supporting Multi-Unit Operators
As a restaurant portfolio grows, visibility and consistency become increasingly important. Operators need systems that allow them to understand what is happening across locations without creating unnecessary complexity.
Capriotti’s technology ecosystem integrates sales, inventory management, scheduling, and labor-cost data, giving franchise partners greater visibility into key areas of restaurant operations. Capriotti’s also integrates third-party delivery, catering, and mobile ordering capabilities to support an increasingly digital guest experience.
Capriotti’s Rewards Program adds another layer of insight, using guest behavior data to inform systemwide strategy. Centralized marketing allows our franchise partners to benefit from ongoing email, push, and SMS campaigns without having to manage them independently.
For Amber Walley, an IFA Franchisee of the Year who operates two Northeast Ohio locations with a third on the way, that ongoing investment in the system has helped make growth more manageable.
“A lot of companies set goals and take pride in where they stand, but things usually stay the same,” said Amber. “I can honestly say Capriotti's keeps getting better, and that's amazing.”
If you’re looking for a profitable investment to add to your multi-unit franchising portfolio, connect with our team today!
FAQs About the Capriotti’s Franchise Opportunity
Q: Is Capriotti's a good fit for a multi-unit franchise portfolio? Yes, Capriotti's offers a structured path to multi-unit growth through Development Rights Agreements, strong unit-level economics, and innovative technology designed to support operators as their portfolios expand.
Q: What makes Capriotti’s a strong franchise to invest in? Capriotti’s combines a high-quality product, a proven operational system, and a brand culture centered on community connection and guest loyalty.
Q: How much does it cost to open a Capriotti's franchise? Total investment ranges from $594,700 to $935,000, with an initial franchise fee of $40,000 and an ongoing royalty of 6 to 7 percent. Multi-unit developers may qualify for additional fee and royalty savings.
*$1,256,507 is the average unit volume of the top 25% of all franchised Capriotti's shops in operation for the entire calendar year ending December 31, 2025. A new franchisee’s results may differ from the represented performance. There is no assurance that you will do as well, and you must accept that risk. For information about the financial performance during 2025 of all franchised and affiliate-owned restaurants that operated for the full year, see Item 19 of the CSSI Franchise Disclosure Document.
