Capriotti’s Founding Story Comes Full Circle in Delaware
Capriotti’s began as a single sandwich shop in Delaware with a simple idea: do things differently and do them better. After 50 years of growth, Capriotti’s is coming full circle with franchise opportunities now available in the brand’s original market of Delaware!
Where It All Started
Capriotti’s story begins in 1976 in Wilmington, Delaware, when siblings Lois and Alan Margolet opened a small sandwich shop in Little Italy. Honoring their Italian heritage, the siblings named their sandwich shop after their grandfather, Philip Capriotti.
At just 28 years old, Lois left her job and secured a $13,000 loan to start a sandwich shop that served real, fresh-cooked ingredients. Living above the shop, purchasing used equipment, and even working side jobs at times, Lois and Alan built Capriotti’s from the ground up.
What set them apart in a crowded market was their menu rooted in quality and family tradition. With the iconic Bobbie®, for example, Lois and Alan recreated their Aunt Bobbie’s post-Thanksgiving meals by roasting whole turkeys overnight and sandwiching them with stuffings and cranberry sauce between freshly baked rolls.
That difference in taste and quality quickly earned a loyal following.
From Local Favorite to Franchise System
As demand grew, Capriotti’s began expanding beyond its original location. In 1988, the second shop opened in New Castle, Delaware, and by 1991, the brand officially began franchising, marking its evolution from a single family-run business into a concept with broader potential.
When Lois decided it was time to leave Delaware for the warmth of Las Vegas, Capriotti’s found a new and unexpected audience. Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, Capriotti’s quickly attracted not only customers, but also immediate interest in franchising. Even without a corporate office and support staff, Capriotti’s began its growth in the West.
In the early 2000s, two college roommates at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Ashley Morris and Jason Smylie, discovered the shop and became regulars. By 2005, the two decided to take the leap from customers to operators, becoming multi-unit franchisees in Las Vegas. Their firsthand experience running the business deepened their belief in its potential, which eventually led to ownership. Morris and Smylie acquired Capriotti’s in 2008, and the new leadership team began shaping the brand into what it is today.
Legacy Meets Scalable Growth
Even as Capriotti’s has grown into a nationally recognized brand with more than 175 locations across the U.S., Capriotti’s stayed grounded in the same principles that defined its early success: fresh ingredients, in-house preparation, and a commitment to never settling.
“Capriotti’s is here because of the food and the quality of the food. Nobody else was doing it back then,” Ashley reflected. “To have that vision back then is just unbelievable and certainly very admirable, and it’s the reason why the brand is where it is today.”
Coming Back to Where It All Began
Today, that legacy translates into a rare franchise opportunity in Delaware. With Capriotti’s, entrepreneurs now have the chance to build on an established brand in its home state.
For prospective franchise partners, Capriotti’s offers a unique combination:
50 years of proven brand performance and national recognition
Newly available territory in the brand’s original, high-demand market
A limited-time 50-year incentive program supporting new franchise partners
It is rare for a legacy brand to offer open territory in its founding market, making Delaware a compelling opportunity to be part of Capriotti’s next chapter.
Explore franchise opportunities with Capriotti’s today!
FAQs About the Capriotti’s Franchise Opportunity
Q: Where did Capriotti’s begin? In 1976, what would become one of the nation’s favorite sandwich shops was born as a family business founded by brother and sister Alan and Lois Margolet in Wilmington, Delaware.
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: Do I need restaurant experience to open a Capriotti’s? Prior restaurant experience is helpful but not required. Capriotti’s provides comprehensive training, real-time operational support, and access to a proven playbook for success.
