NEW FRANCHISEE GROUP SIGNS DEAL TO DEVELOP 31 D’ANGELO SANDWICH SHOPS IN ALBANY AND HARTFORD

A pair of brothers who own and operate more than 20 Dunkin’ Donuts Franchises and a former Dunkin’ Donuts executive have signed a development agreement that will bring a combined 31 new D’Angelo Sandwich Shops locations to Hartford, Conn., and Albany, N.Y., over the next six years. The agreement was announced today by the 211-unit submarine sandwich/salad/soup chain, based here.

Under the agreement, Tom and Jerry Burke, who are building a branded-fast-food dynasty in New York’s Capital Region, and Eddie Binder, a management consultant and former Vice President of Marketing for Dunkin’ Donuts, will develop both markets simultaneously, opening new locations as they secure properties. The group will open its first location in Colonie, a suburb of Albany, and is already in the permitting process for several additional properties in the area and in active negotiations for several sites in Hartford.

“This is a natural match,” says Vince Brown, Senior Vice President of Restaurant Development for D’Angelo. “The Burkes bring extensive knowledge of the region and, along with Eddie Binder, experience in quick-service restaurant operations to the table. We, in turn, are giving them an opportunity to expand their brand portfolio with popular menu offerings covering meals their current operations don’t effectively address.”

Turning the Corner in Two Strategic Markets
Brown said the planned development represents significant milestones in both markets for D’Angelo, marking the first time the chain will operate in Albany and promising to push the chain’s presence in Hartford to near or full capacity. Both markets were among the first targeted when D’Angelo launched its renewed Franchise expansion effort in 2002, Brown explained.

“This is a major turning point in our development program,” confirmed Brown. “It comes on the heels of the opening of a shop in the Hartford area by a franchisee with commitments for three additional locations there, and the signing of an agreement with another group that will develop four locations on Long Island, the third market we targeted in renewing our expansion efforts. With development in these three markets now firmly underway, we have cleared the way to expand beyond the Northeast to strategic points along the entire Eastern Seaboard.”

In an unprecedented move, Brown added, the Burke-Binder group will operate Papa Gino’s restaurants under the same roof as several of their new D’Angelo shops (a format the company refers to as “duals”) marking the first time Papa Gino’s locations will be operated by someone other than Papa Gino’s, Inc., parent of both brands. The Colonie site will be the first such location.

Brown says this is an initial step toward rolling out a formal franchise program for Papa Gino’s next spring. “This is the perfect opportunity to test both Papa Gino’s and our D’Angelo/Papa Gino’s duals when operated by a third-party,” says Brown. “We’re confident that these locations will be well received and will provide valuable insight as we move closer to offering Papa Gino’s and our dual format as part of our regular menu of franchise opportunities.”

About D’Angelo Sandwich Shops, Papa Gino’s Restaurants and Papa Gino’s Inc.
D’Angelo Sandwich Shops specialize in great-tasting, made-to-order submarine sandwiches, hot and hearty soups and fresh salads. The D’Angelo brand was established in January 1973 by a former affiliate, D’Angelo, Inc., and was founded on a simple, honest philosophy: Put the best-quality ingredients in the freshest bread for a reasonable price and serve it quickly. There are currently 211 D’Angelo Sandwich Shops in operation as standalone units and in “dual” locations joined by Papa Gino’s. 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. For franchise information, call toll-free, (888) 374-2830, or visit www.dangelos.com.

Papa Gino’s was founded in 1961 by Michael and Helen Valerio as a single East Boston pizza shop, Piece O’ Pizza, using authentic generations-old Italian family recipes. The pizzeria became known throughout Boston as the place to go for pizza of superior quality and unique flavor. Today, there are 174 Papa Gino’s restaurants serving classic pizza, a full line of subs, salads, and other Italian specialties in a setting emphasizing attentive service, clean, attractive restaurants, convenience and a premium value experience for every guest.

Papa Gino’s Inc. is the holding company for Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Sandwich Shops, two of New England ’s favorite restaurant chains. In addition to operating and Franchising more than 375 locations, the Dedham, Mass.-based company has a longstanding tradition of community involvement, including having raised nearly $3 million for Easter Seals and The Genesis Fund, sponsoring annual fire safety awareness programs in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association, and regularly supporting the Massachusetts Department of Social Services by providing hot meals to children who have been removed from unsafe homes.