Franchising
Capriotti’s adding 15 locations to Tampa Bay
July 15, 2021
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is adding 15 locations in Tampa Bay, Florida, thanks to a development agreement with Florida locals and franchisees Scott Crawford and Stephen Poletta.
"After our initial communication with the Capriotti's leadership team, we were incredibly impressed with not only their industry experience but the compassion and support they offer to franchise partners," Crawford said in a company press release. "This coupled with the opportunity to bring an award-winning brand to the Tampa Bay area and satisfy local consumers' craving for extraordinary food made our decision to invest a no-brainer."
The expansion will add 20-25 jobs per location — bringing more than 300 jobs to the area. Two will open this summer in Starkey Ranch in Odessa and Willow Bend Towne Center in Lutz, while additional shops are set for Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Pinellas counties.
"During my first visit to the Kennesaw shop in Georgia, the first thing I noticed were the amazing sights and smells," Crawford said. "I saw the giant roasted turkeys coming out of the big ovens and was met with these tantalizing smells as soon as I walked in. Then, I tried 'The Bobbie.' That first taste sent me back to when I was 14-years old waking up on Black Friday, making a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. I saw myself in my mama's kitchen, all of us eating together. Right then I knew Capriotti's was something special."
Founded in 1976, Capriotti's has more than 125 locations in the U.S. and plans to hit 500 locations by 2025. In 2020 and 2021, the chain made Fast Casual's list of Top Movers & Shakers.
