Togo's Eateries

The story of Togo's begins not in one place, but two. In 1964, two Northern Michigan University students, Tom Neumann and Gordon Reed, opened a small sandwich shop in Marquette, Michigan. They named it Togo's, a combination of their first names and a nod to their 'to-go' service model. Reed later moved to San Jose, California, and in 1968, opened a new sandwich shack near the San Jose State University campus. A pivotal moment came in 1971 when a San Jose State student, Mike Cobler, purchased the California location. Cobler envisioned making sandwiches the way he liked them: big, fresh, and meaty. This focus on quality and generous portions became the brand's foundation. The first franchise was sold in 1978, sparking the chain's expansion. In 1997, Togo's was acquired by Allied Domecq, which also owned Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins. This deal brought the West Coast sandwich chain under a major corporate umbrella. The ownership story continued with several more chapters. In 2007, private equity firm Mainsail Partners, along with former Baskin-Robbins president Tony Gioia, purchased the company. The brand was sold again in 2015 to Nimes Capital and later in 2019 to its current owner, Southfield Mezzanine Capital. Today, with over 180 locations, Togo's continues to operate with the original spirit of a college student's desire for a great sandwich.