TOGO'S
An American fast-casual sandwich restaurant chain focused on made-to-order subs, wraps, salads, and related quick-service meals.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
TOGO'S is an American fast-casual sandwich restaurant chain with roots in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The brand is associated primarily with Northern California and the wider western United States, where it operates through a franchise-based network. Its menu centers on made-to-order submarine sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and beverages. Many sandwiches are prepared in the chain's characteristic "TOGO'S Style," generally including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and pepperoncini, with seasoning varying by item. The name has a dual origin. The original Michigan business was associated with founders Tom Neumann and Gordon Reed, whose first names supplied the name's "TO" and "GO" elements. The name also described the original operating model: the first shop had no seating and served food to take away. After the original Marquette business changed hands, Reed relocated to California and opened a small sandwich shop near San Jose State University in 1968. That shop became the foundation of the better-known western chain. The premises were extremely small, and the early storefront sign emphasized the phrase "Sandwiches To Go." The business expanded gradually during the 1970s. Mike Cobler purchased the San Jose shop in 1971, another location opened in Corvallis, Oregon, that year, and a third location opened in downtown San Jose in 1974. TOGO'S began franchising in 1978. The chain later grew substantially, reaching approximately 350 restaurants by 2001 and serving a broad sandwich menu. Its ownership history included acquisition by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants in 1997, a later sale to Mainsail Partners in partnership with Tony Gioia in 2007, a sale to Nîmes Capital in 2015, and acquisition by Southfield Mezzanine Capital in March 2019. TOGO'S has also had historical links with other quick-service brands. Some restaurants have been co-branded with Baskin-Robbins, reflecting the period from 1997 to 2007 when the two brands were under the same ownership structure. In 2018, TOGO'S changed its fountain beverage program from Pepsi products to Coca-Cola Freestyle. By November 2025, the chain had more than 145 open locations across the western United States, compared with approximately 180 locations in 2020. The brand remains active and franchise-oriented, with its identity built around customizable, freshly assembled sandwiches rather than a large dine-in restaurant format.
History
TOGO'S traces its name and earliest history to a sandwich business established in Marquette, Michigan. In 1964, Northern Michigan University students Tom Neumann and Gordon Reed opened the first shop. The name was understood both as a combination of parts of the founders' first names and as a reference to the shop's takeout-only format. Neumann left after roughly a year, and Reed later sold the Michigan operation to Joseph Fountain. The Marquette business moved more than once before settling at 1000 North Third Street. A second Marquette-area location in Harvey opened in the mid-1990s but closed in April 2019. Reed subsequently moved to San Jose, California, where he opened another TOGO'S in 1968 at 336 East William Street near San Jose State University. This small sandwich shop, in a building dating from 1919, was the important predecessor of the western chain. Its limited size reinforced the takeout-oriented identity: only a few customers could be inside at one time, and the exterior sign presented the business as "Sandwiches To Go." Mike Cobler, then a local San Jose State University student, purchased the shop in 1971. The same year, Reed opened a second California-era location in Corvallis, Oregon, after relocating there. A third location followed in downtown San Jose in 1974. The chain began selling franchises in 1978, creating the foundation for a broader regional network. Expansion accelerated over subsequent decades, and by 2001 the system had approximately 350 sandwich shops and more than 25 sandwich varieties. TOGO'S developed a menu and service model based on sandwiches assembled to order, with standard toppings commonly including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and pepperoncini. This preparation approach helped distinguish the chain from purely prepackaged convenience-food formats while retaining the speed associated with quick-service restaurants. In 1997, TOGO'S was acquired by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants, a corporate structure associated with the predecessor businesses of Dunkin' Brands. During this period, some TOGO'S restaurants were co-branded with Baskin-Robbins. The connection reflected common ownership rather than a merger of the two food concepts, and the shared ownership period ended in 2007. On November 30, 2007, Mainsail Partners acquired TOGO'S in partnership with Tony Gioia, a former Baskin-Robbins president. Gioia became chairman and chief executive officer and remained in those roles until retiring in May 2017. Mainsail later sold the company to Nîmes Capital in December 2015. In March 2019, Southfield Mezzanine Capital acquired the chain and became its owner. The brand continued to adjust its operating offer while maintaining its sandwich-centered identity. In 2018, its restaurants moved from Pepsi fountain beverages to Coca-Cola Freestyle. TOGO'S remains a franchise-based business concentrated in the western United States. The system had more than 145 open locations by November 2025, below the approximately 180 locations reported in 2020. Its current identity is therefore that of a regional, franchise-led fast-casual sandwich chain rather than a nationwide mass-market restaurant system.
- 2025
More than 145 locations reported open
[1]By November 2025, TOGO'S had more than 145 open locations across the western United States.
- 2019
Southfield Mezzanine Capital acquires the chain
[1]Southfield Mezzanine Capital purchased TOGO'S in March 2019.
- 2018
Coca-Cola Freestyle introduced in place of Pepsi
[1]TOGO'S changed its fountain beverage program from Pepsi to Coca-Cola Freestyle.
- 2015
Nîmes Capital becomes owner
[1]Mainsail Partners sold TOGO'S to Nîmes Capital.
- 2007
Mainsail Partners acquires TOGO'S
[1]Mainsail Partners acquired the chain in partnership with Tony Gioia.
- 2001
Network reaches approximately 350 shops
[1]The chain was reported to have approximately 350 locations and more than 25 sandwich varieties.
- 1997
Acquired by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants
[1]TOGO'S entered the Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants portfolio.
- 1978
Franchising begins
[1]The company sold its first franchise, moving from a small company-operated network toward a franchise-based model.
- 1974
Third location opens in downtown San Jose
[1]TOGO'S expanded its early California network with a downtown San Jose restaurant.
- 1971
Mike Cobler purchases the San Jose shop
[1]Mike Cobler acquired the San Jose location, while a further TOGO'S location opened in Corvallis, Oregon.
Products and positioning
Fast-casual, made-to-order sandwich and deli food with a strong western United States franchise presence.
Sandwiches
Submarine sandwiches
TOGO'S core offering is its made-to-order submarine sandwich range. Sandwiches are assembled with deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, sauces, and bread according to the selected menu item. Many are served in the chain's customary TOGO'S Style, which generally includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and pepperoncini, with salt and black pepper used on some preparations.
Sandwiches
Deli sandwiches
The broader sandwich menu includes deli-style combinations built around sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. These products extend the brand beyond a single signature sub format while retaining the made-to-order preparation and portable meal positioning associated with TOGO'S.
Handheld meals
Wraps
Wraps provide an alternative handheld format to the chain's bread-based sandwiches. They use the same general fast-casual service model, with fillings and vegetables assembled to order for takeaway or quick dine-in consumption.
Salads
Salads
Salads broaden TOGO'S menu beyond handheld sandwiches and provide a lighter meal option. They are positioned within the same quick-service menu architecture and are commonly paired with the chain's sandwich and beverage offerings.
Soups
Soups
Soups are an additional prepared-food category offered alongside sandwiches and salads. They support combination meals and seasonal or daypart variety within the fast-casual restaurant format.
Soft drinks · 2018
Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
Beginning in 2018, TOGO'S restaurants switched their fountain beverage program from Pepsi products to Coca-Cola Freestyle. The change added access to the Freestyle dispensing platform as part of the restaurant beverage offer.
Brand decisions
2019
Southfield Mezzanine Capital acquisitionM&ABackground
TOGO'S changed private-equity ownership after its period under Nîmes Capital.
Action taken
Southfield Mezzanine Capital purchased TOGO'S in March 2019.
Aftermath
The chain continued operating as an active, franchise-based sandwich business under private ownership.
2018
Replace Pepsi fountain beverages with Coca-Cola FreestyleStrategyBackground
TOGO'S reviewed its restaurant beverage program as part of its ongoing menu and operating decisions.
Action taken
Restaurants switched from Pepsi fountain products to Coca-Cola Freestyle.
Aftermath
The change expanded the branded fountain beverage platform available at participating restaurants.
2015
Transfer ownership to Nîmes CapitalM&ABackground
Mainsail Partners pursued a change in ownership after operating TOGO'S for several years.
Action taken
The company sold TOGO'S to Nîmes Capital.
Aftermath
Nîmes Capital owned the chain until its sale to Southfield Mezzanine Capital in 2019.
2007
Sell TOGO'S to Mainsail PartnersM&ABackground
Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants sold the sandwich chain after its period of common ownership with Baskin-Robbins.
Action taken
Mainsail Partners acquired TOGO'S in partnership with Tony Gioia.
Aftermath
Gioia became chairman and chief executive and led the company until his retirement in 2017.
1997
Join Allied Domecq's quick-service restaurant portfolioM&ABackground
TOGO'S was acquired by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants during a period when the chain was expanding within the quick-service restaurant sector.
Action taken
The brand became part of Allied Domecq's restaurant holdings and was operated during the same ownership period as Baskin-Robbins.
Aftermath
Some restaurants were co-branded with Baskin-Robbins before the common ownership relationship ended in 2007.
Recent events
- 2019
Southfield Mezzanine Capital acquires TOGO'S[1]
M&A
Southfield Mezzanine Capital purchased TOGO'S in March 2019, becoming the chain's owner.
- 2018
TOGO'S changes fountain beverage supplier[1]
Product launch
TOGO'S restaurants switched their soft-drink offering from Pepsi products to Coca-Cola Freestyle.
- 2015
TOGO'S sold to Nîmes Capital[1]
M&A
Mainsail Partners sold TOGO'S to Nîmes Capital, the investment firm associated with David Nazarian.
- 2007
TOGO'S sold to Mainsail Partners in partnership with Tony Gioia[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The sandwich chain was sold by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants to Mainsail Partners, with Tony Gioia participating in the transaction and subsequently serving as chairman and chief executive.
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