Driving Success: TOGO’S Legacy Franchisees Continue to Lead Through Brand Revitalization and Reinvestment

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TOGO’S Legacy Franchisees Continue to Reinvest in the Brand; existing owners are excited to be a part of the new operating model & store design.

by Katie Porter, 1851 Franchise Contributor

For the past few years, TOGO’S, the 160-unit sandwich franchise based out of Northern California, has focused its efforts on updating its locations to TOGO’S new 3.0 design. The rebranding initiative has helped to refuel interest in the company, positioning the 51-year-old brand as a modern, efficient, and convenient choice for food.

While the efforts have helped bring in both new customers and increased interest from new franchisees, existing franchise owners are also a significant part of adding more 3.0 model stores to the TOGO’S portfolio.

Revitalizing Success: TOGO’S Legacy Franchisees and the Journey of Brand Revitalization and Reinvestment

Rose Le and Lan Duong have been with TOGO’S for the past 16 years and have grown to become multi-unit owners over time, now owning stores in Mountain View, San Jose, Campbell, and Los Gatos. The couple’s San Jose store is a new TOGO’S 3.0 model that was recently relocated a short distance down the road to 1020 El Paseo de Saratoga in San Jose. They are in their first month of operations there and have seen sales jump by over 40%.

“It’s going great. We have seen an amazing increase in sales traffic because we are more exposed in a busy center at this location,” explained Rose. “We still have many things to learn and work out with the new 3.0 model, but it has been very exciting. The employees and the whole team are super excited at the ease and efficiency of the new speedline operating system.”

Rose said she and Lan worked closely with the TOGO’S corporate team and John Dyer, Vice President of Franchise Development and Real Estate, to ensure they were set up for success. “The franchise has been excellent at supporting us and walking us through each step of the process,” said Lan.

Greg Wimp is another franchisee who owns multiple TOGO’S locations and has adopted the 3.0 model. Five years ago, he connected with TOGO’s and signed a multi-unit deal to purchase three existing locations in Capitola, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville, and he has since opened a second store in Watsonville as well.

Wimp remodeled his Scotts Valley store, located at 266 Mt. Hermon Rd., to a TOGO’S 3.0 model. The location had been in operation since 1986 and is in a “great spot with a very engaged community,” Wimp explained.

“It’s been a total remodel; it does a great job of keeping the quality and service that people expect but also modernizing the whole operation and really preparing us to be more efficient and attractive to a younger demographic,” said Wimp. “The store is much more modern and bright looking. We have kiosks for ordering, and now a streamlined system for integrating online ordering, kiosks, and in person orders.” Since the remodel in September sales are up over 60%

Both Le and Wimp are excited about the simplified operations and very enthusiastic about the positive impact on their people, customers, and profits.

The current initial investment for a TOGO’S franchise ranges from $231,500 to $476,500. For more information, visit https://togosfranchise.com/. (2022 FDD)

Strategic Vision: About TOGO’S Eateries, LLC and the Ongoing Story of Brand Revitalization and Reinvestment

TOGO’S Sandwiches was founded in 1971 in San Jose, California, by a young college student with a large appetite and little money who was looking to make sandwiches the way he liked them — big, fresh, and meaty. Today, that spirit of the founder and the original sandwich shop continues. Like the first days of the brand, Togo’s products are still made with only the highest quality ingredients, including fresh artisan breads, hand-sliced premium pastrami, turkey, and roast beef, as well as Hass avocados hand-mashed in-house daily. Togo’s is a franchised business that offers entrepreneurs a terrific opportunity to own their own business. With over 160 locations open and under development throughout the West, the brand is a restaurant staying ahead of the pack. For more information, to find your closest TOGO’S location, or to order online, please visit www.togos.com.