Extensive QSR Background Will Bolster Chain’s Pursuit of Aggressive Expansion

Thomas J. Galligan, Chairman, President and CEO of Papa Gino’s Inc., has announced the appointment of F. Paul Tobin to Director of Franchise Operations, reporting to Executive Vice President of Operations Rick Wolf. Tobin will collaborate with D’Angelo’s existing franchisees on the operation of their 51 restaurants and will assist new and existing franchisees in future development. He will be based in the company’s corporate headquarters here.

D’Angelo Sandwich Shops is currently implementing an aggressive franchise-expansion program calling for the addition of 400 new locations over the next five years. The company previously announced plans for expansion in Hartford, Conn., Albany and Long Island as well as throughout its New England home. Early successes in its strategic plan, however, have led the company to extend its development plans to include the entire Eastern Seaboard, Ohio and other key markets.

Tobin’s extensive background in Restaurant operations will be a key component in ensuring operational and brand consistency and otherwise ensuring a smooth transition as the company migrates beyond its core markets and adds new operators. He began his career in the restaurant industry as a General Manager for Burger King Corporation, and advanced to Area Training Supervisor for the Northeast . In subsequent positions, he was a multi-concept manager for Marriott Travel Plazas of Washington, D.C., and spent more than six years with Boston Chicken Inc. of Golden, Colo., as a franchise Operations Manager and Project Manager. Most recently, he spent six years with Allied Domecq QSR, parent of the Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s chains, as a franchise business Consultant and then Director of Restaurant Operation Systems .

“Paul Tobin brings to our system a vast store of knowledge in restaurant operations that we know will be highly valued by our existing franchisees and a welcome resource to those we add under our current expansion plan,” says Galligan. “He has worked with some of the largest, most successful food franchisors in existence, which we expect will facilitate our own growth as we aspire to maintain the qualities that have made us a New England favorite while entering into new markets on the East Coast and beyond.”

Tobin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Framingham State College. He and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Woburn, Mass., and have seven children.

About D’Angelo and D’Angelo Franchising Corp.
D’Angelo Sandwich Shops specialize in great-tasting, made-to-order submarine sandwiches, hot and hearty soups and fresh salads. The company was founded on a simple, honest philosophy: Put the best-quality ingredients in the freshest bread for a reasonable price and serve it quickly. All products meet the highest standards of quality.

Dedham, Mass.-based D’Angelo Franchising Corporation was incorporated in April 1998 and began operating and franchising D’Angelo Sandwich Shops in February 2000. The D’Angelo brand was established in January 1973 by a former affiliate, D’Angelo, Inc., which operated corporately owned restaurants. Franchise Opportunities have been available via predecessors since 1988. There are currently 216 D’Angelo Sandwich Shops in operation as standalone units and in tandem with Papa Gino’s, a sister company.

D’Angelo’s strategic growth plan calls for 400 new locations in the next five years. To facilitate this expansion, the company recently streamlined operations to decrease the average initial investment per unit by more than $100,000. Franchise opportunities are available throughout the East Coast and in Ohio to qualified investors with minimum net worths of $400,000 and liquid assets of at least $70,000.