Franchising

Friends buy 21-unit sandwich franchise

Provided

March 10, 2021

Five friends — Brian Bergen, Timm Heller, Todd Mancusi, Tony Mancusi and Chris Gentilli — have purchased Milio's Sandwiches, a 21-unit franchise headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, according to a company press release.

"Milio's has a great product, a fanatical following from our loyal customers, and one of the best groups of employees around," said Bergen, whose wife, Carol, opened a Milio's location in 2008 in Madison. "We couldn't think of a good reason why we shouldn't buy the company, even with the pandemic. We know Milio's. We care about Milio's — the people, the customers, and our communities. It was an easy decision."

Madison has always been home for Bergen, Heller and the Mancusis. All four are Madison West High School alums and have strong roots in the community from coaching high school football to supporting local little league teams and high school athletic programs. Gentilli was the chain's first franchisee, opening a location in 2004.

"We are honored to continue to cultivate relationships in the community and look forward to an exciting future," Heller said in the release. "I believe we have the right partners in place with the right vision and industry experience to make a positive difference for our employees and franchises."

Originally called Big Mike's Super Subs, the chain opened in 1989 on West Johnson Street to serve University of Wisconsin–Madison students. In 2004, the company began franchising and changed its name to Milio's Sandwiches.

"It says a lot about a company's reputation when people who know the brand and its operations so personally come together to buy the company," Milio's President Gerard Helminski said in the release. "I am honored and humbled to be a part of this exciting new chapter. Together, with our staff and franchise owners, we have a strong commitment to improve our stores continually, offer an exceptional experience to our guests, and be here for another thirty-two years and then some."