In the News : D’Angelo

6 Questions with D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches CEO Tom Sterrett

Dedham, MA(December 2022) For more than 50 years, D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches has remained a dining institution throughout New England, serving its crave-able, indulgent, grilled favorites to our loving, nostalgic fans.

D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches was founded in 1967 as a small shop in Dedham, Massachusetts, about 20 miles southwest of Boston. Throughout the years, we’ve faced a variety of ownership changes and expansion. We were once acquired by Pepsi-Cola in 1993 and are now owned by Wynnchurch Capital, a private-equity firm based in Rosemont, Illinois, which has over $5 billion in assets. Despite our ownership changes, one factor has stayed consistent about D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches—we have always provided our guests with the freshest, highest quality ingredients and best-tasting sandwiches around while partnering with the communities we serve.

Today, with 85 locations already open and operating across five states (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut), D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is actively looking to reach new communities across New England with as many as 20 new company- and franchisee-owned restaurant openings by 2026.

In addition to our storied history, loyal following and all-star executive team, the expansion will be driven by a new restaurant prototype, designed to accentuate the increasing demand for walk-in and carry out service. Future D’Angelo locations will be mostly freestanding or end-cap locations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The layouts will also integrate a refreshed interior design including a clean white brick logo wall/design package, sleek new menu boards and possible technology advancement, as well as exterior upgrades including a modern paint palette, outdoor signage, and drive-thru services where possible. Opportunities for non-traditional development in airports, C-stores, and other venues are also available.

While the restaurants may look and feel a bit different, the menu will remain the same.

Each of our restaurants serve up a variety of unique grilled favorites (Korean BBQ, Cheeseburger, Vermonter, signature Steak Number 9) and hot sandwiches (Thanksgiving Toasted, Meatball & Cheese, Pastrami & Swiss), as well as various cold deli sandwiches. Other menu items include wraps, grilled topped salads, hot soups, rice and grain bowls, and lobster rolls made with 100 percent real lobster.

For 55 years and counting, New England residents have continued to show their loyalty to D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, making it an ideal region for us to focus our expansion efforts. We’re looking ahead to the future with great enthusiasm and excitement.

What was your first job?

My first job was at Billy’s Deli Sandwich Shop in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. I was underage, so needed working papers.

What’s your favorite menu item at D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches?

Grilled BBQ Chicken & Cheddar with Bacon.

What’s your favorite cuisine aside from sandwiches?

I love Italian food for the vast repertoire of recipes. People think Italian food is Pizza and Pasta, but it’s so much more. Italian cooking for me is hard to beat.

Who inspires you as a leader?

The people around me. My team inspires me every day! And it’s full of amazingly talented and hard working professionals. I could not be more proud of them.

What’s the best piece of advice that other restaurant executives should hear?

Listen to your team members. Being an empathetic leader can boost engagement, increase trust and build better team relationships.

What are some of your interests outside of work?

Family, lake time, golfing, skiing.

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D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches: Staying Within Its Comfort Zone But Expanding

Dedham, MA(September, 2022) D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, which started as a shop in Dedham, Mass. about 20 miles southwest of Boston in 1967, has faced a variety of ownership changes and expansion. Currently, it has 87 retail stores including 62 company-owned and 25 franchised. It was once acquired by Pepsi-Cola in 1993 and is now owned by Wynnchurch Capital, a private equity firm based in Rosemont, Illinois, which has over $5 billion in assets. It is stepping up franchising to build revenue, though it’s also opening company-owned stores, and getting involved in licensing as well.

But one factor has stayed rather consistent about D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches. Despite its ownership changes, it has always stayed within the boundaries of New England and not strayed from it. Currently it is situated in five states: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Tom Sterrett, President and CEO of New England Authentic Eats, D’Angelo’s parent company (which includes Papa Gino’s Pizzeria), underscores that it has stayed true to its roots of offering grilled sandwiches. And those include Korean BBQ, cheeseburgers, and its signature Number 9 sandwich, consisting of grilled steak or chicken, onions, peppers, mushroom and cheese. It’s also known for several New England seafood specials such as lobster rolls, clam chowder and lobster bisque. To accommodate changing tastes toward healthier food, it offers rice and grain bowls and salads and wraps.

Its growth, he says, is centered in its “wheelhouse. We have strong brand awareness in New England, so we’re focusing on our strength and building our support team.” Many restaurant chains fail because they lack brand awareness, he suggests. After that expansion is nailed down, he envisions expanding in states located in concentric circles from New England such as New York, New Jersey and Vermont. What separates it from its many sandwich and submarine competitors is its “grill. The grill is our differentiator. It’s visible to the guest, and they can hear and smell it and watch it sizzle,” Sterrett notes.

Since it is owned by a private equity company, expansion and boosting revenue are the expected part of the equation. It expects to open six to eight new locations in 2022, including some with its sister brand of Papa Gino’s Pizzeria, and six more locations in 2023. Asked what private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital expects from D’Angelo’s, Sterrett responds, “What anybody wants from a successful business: top-line and sustained growth, with a great managing team.” Building up revenue in the future and determining “whether it’s better to sell or do we have an option of franchising more and growing” is a question to be determined. Sterrett says it’s pursuing franchisees that “understand operations and people, the principles of the restaurant business, and have what it takes to operate three to five locations.”

Its dual franchises combining D’Angelo’s with Papa Gino’s Pizzeria started with six outlets on the Massachusetts Turnpike and now numbers 17 of them, with three more expected by year’s-end.

“We bring the best of both worlds together and streamline the menu,” he says, since Papa Gino’s offers a sandwich line of its own. The stores with the joint brands will be larger at about 3,500 square feet. But most new D’Angelo’s will have smaller footprints of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, with fewer seats for in-restaurant dining. Sterrett explains that “We are reacting to the guest demand for more carry-out and delivery.” In fact, all delivery channels account for 20% of revenue, with third-party delivering generating 14% of that number and 6% from its internal delivery. Guests tap on-line ordering about 20% of the time to place orders; most of which from mobile devices.

Sterrett describes the target audience who dines at D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches as often, “male, middle-aged, buying on the road, and 70% of our sales are walk-in or delivery out, and often working people looking for great food and quick service.” Sterrett says the keys to its future include: “great people, great franchisees who can lead and inspire a brand, and sticking to what we know. Customers know what they’re getting from D’Angelo’s every single time.

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D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches and Frank Caprio Deliver Lunch to Crossroads Rhode Island Through EveryDAy Heroes Program

Dedham, MA (January 25, 2020): D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches recently delivered lunch for 50 to Crossroads Rhode Island, the leading provider of housing and services to those experiencing homelessness in the state. The donation consisted of 50 Sandwiches as well as 50 Bags of Chips and bottled waters donated by Pepsi. Local celebrity Frank Caprio was also in attendance, helping deliver the meals.

The donation was part of D’Angelo’s EveryDAy Heroes program which seeks out community heroes and delivers them sandwiches and chips as a sign of appreciation for the work they do in their communities.

“We were so happy to work with Mr. Caprio to identify Crossroads as the recipient for this donation,” said D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches CMO Deena McKinley. “We’re grateful for the opportunity this program provides to connect with our neighbors, learn about the amazing things going on in our communities, and then reward the individuals involved with delicious food.”

Throughout 2020, D’Angelo donated 6,735 Sandwiches and Bags of Chips to 113 organizations through the EveryDAy Heroes program. The donations were received by heroes of all kinds, in communities across New England.

Recipients are chosen through nominations from community members across New England. The primary method of nominating for these donations is to fill out the quick and easy nomination form online:

EveryDAy Heroes: https://forms.gle/m36jAuPVfPbrbzAB9

As always, the health and safety of recipients and D’Angelo team members is a priority, and the donations are carried out using proper social distancing practices and No-Contact Delivery.

About D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

With roots stretching back to 1967, D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches has been serving generations of hungry New Englanders on-the-go, great tasting, grilled sandwiches like our legendary Steak Number 9® and original Steak & Cheese. Today, each restaurant remains proud to serve authentic New England sandwiches with the same highest-quality meats and breads that first won over fans more than 50 years ago.

Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Look Toward Even More Community Donations in 2021, Building on Success of Pizza My Heart and EveryDAy Heroes Programs

Dedham, MA (January 4, 2020): With all the hardships that came in 2020, there were also countless stories of courage and resiliency from healthcare workers, first responders, pharmacists, grocery clerks, teachers, child care workers, and so many other heroes out there on the front lines.Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches have sought to shine a light on these individuals through their community donation programs, Pizza My Heart and EveryDAy Heroes.

Over the course of last year, through their respective donations, Papa Gino’s gave away 1,198 X-Large Pizzas to 146 organizations, and D’Angelo donated 6,735 Sandwiches and bags of Chips to 113 organizations. The donations were received by heroes of all kinds, in communities across New England.

“The Pizza My Heart and EveryDAy Heroes programs allowed us to do our part in supporting the heroes in our communities who shouldered so much of the burden that came with this challenging year,” said Deena McKinley, CMO of Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo. “We pride ourselves on being New England’s neighborhood pizzeria and on having the best sandwiches in New England. We cherish the opportunity these programs provide to connect with our neighbors, learn about the amazing things going on in our communities, and then reward the individuals involved with delicious food.”

Building on the success of these programs, and inspired by the heroes already recognized, Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo have decided to continue with these weekly deliveries into the new year. The two brands have also recently expanded their flagship Papa Gino’s location in Dedham, Massachusetts, into a dual location with D’Angelo menu items. Guests can now enjoy New England’s favorite Pizza and Grilled Sandwiches under one roof. As an expression of the restaurants’ gratitude and commitment to the Dedham community, the Dedham restaurant team will be dedicating their D’Angelo EveryDAy Heroes donations to Dedham-based organizations throughout the month of January.

Recipients are chosen through nominations from community members across New England. The primary method of nominating for these donations is to fill out the quick and easy nomination forms online:

Pizza My Heart: https://forms.gle/R5pUBzVny3rRAAry6
EveryDAy Heroes: https://forms.gle/m36jAuPVfPbrbzAB9

As always, the health and safety of recipients and Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo team members is a priority, and the donations are carried out using proper social distancing practices and No-Contact Delivery.

About Papa Gino’s

Founded in 1961, Papa Gino’s Pizzeria is a proud New England staple with a heritage of serving high quality, handmade pizzas with fresh ingredients and an 80-year old Italian family recipe. From a single restaurant in East Boston, Papa Gino’s has expanded over the years and now has nearly 100 restaurants in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

About D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches Joins Dedham Papa Gino’s, Home of Company Headquarters

Dedham, MA (December 28, 2020): New England Authentic Eats LLC, the parent company of Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, announced today that the two iconic New England brands will both be serving their delicious food under one roof in Dedham, Massachusetts, home of the company’s Support Center.

The Papa Gino’s location at 600 Providence Hwy, Dedham has been transformed with a newly expanded menu that includes great-tasting D’Angelo classics such as Grilled Sandwiches, Hot Soups, and Salads topped with signature Grilled Chicken or Steak. Guests can now enjoy New England’s favorite Pizza and Grilled Sandwiches in one location, available for No-Contact Delivery and Carry Out.

“D’Angelo is everyone’s neighborhood sandwich shop, and Papa Gino’s is their hometown pizzeria, so it only made sense to bring the best sandwiches in New England and the best pizza in New England together, right here in our very own neighborhood,” said Deena McKinley, CMO of Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches. “The first D’Angelo location was opened in Dedham Square on Washington Street, and our Support Center has been here for 37 years. The Dedham community has always been a special place for our two brands, and we are thrilled to once again have them both here for the great people in this town.”

As an expression of the restaurants’ gratitude and commitment to the Dedham community, Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo donated their first day of sales from the newly enhanced location to the Dedham Food Pantry. Additionally, as a part of D’Angelo’s ongoing community donation program known as EveryDAy Heroes, the Dedham restaurant team will be dedicating their January donations to Dedham-based organizations. Local organizations who are nominated to receive an EveryDAy Heroes donation will receive up to 30 Sandwiches and bags of Chips from the Papa Gino’s and D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches restaurant in Dedham.

“We are very appreciative of our devoted guests here in Dedham and look forward to serving them an expanded assortment of delicious food from our home base,” said Tom Sterrett, CEO of New England Authentic Eats LLC. “We invite them to come experience what each brand has to offer, under one roof.”

About Papa Gino’s

Founded in 1961, Papa Gino’s Pizzeria is a proud New England staple with a heritage of serving high quality, handmade pizzas with fresh ingredients and an over 80-year old Italian family recipe. From a single restaurant in East Boston, Papa Gino’s has expanded over the years and now has nearly 100 restaurants in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

About D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

To Our D'Angelo Family,

We hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this difficult time. We are doing everything we can to make this easier on you, our valued guests, while providing you with a safe environment and quality food. We have been tracking the evolving situation around COVID-19 and following guidance provided by the CDC, WHO, and local officials.

Beginning today, March 17, 2020, we began offering only delivery and carry-out in all of our New England restaurants. We are all in this together, and we will keep doing our best to be there for you and make sure it’s as easy as possible for you to get your favorite Papa Gino’s food to enjoy at home.

Here is what you can expect:

All meals will be prepared in to-go packaging for carry out and delivery only. You will not be able to dine in or consume food on premise in our restaurants at this time.
Hours: please check our website for hours of operation, as they may change to comply with changing local guidelines.
We encourage you to order and pre-pay online at dangelos.com with a credit card instead of cash for carry out and delivery orders.
- For carry out, this minimizes contact points, and we will have your food ready for easy pick up when you arrive.
- For delivery, ordering and paying online limits contact at the time of delivery.
You can still call us or walk in to place an order to go, and you can still call us to place a delivery order, pay over the phone with a credit card, and request a limited contact delivery.

Limited Contact Delivery Option:

Beginning Wednesday, 3/18/20, we will be offering a “Limited Contact Delivery” option. If you prefer a “Limited Contact Delivery”, where we will leave your order in a safe place outside of your delivery location, please follow these steps:
- When ordering online, where available, select “Delivery”, and in the “Dropoff Notes” at the bottom of the page, please type in “Limited Contact Leave Outside Door”. Don’t forget you need to pre-pay online to get “Limited Contact Delivery.”
- If you call to place your delivery order, please pre-pay with a credit card over the phone, let us know you would like a “Limited Contact Delivery”, and provide us with instructions on where to leave your order.
- At the time of delivery, one of our team members will notify you to let you know your order has arrived and is in the designated location. Your delivery driver will wait to make sure you get your order before leaving.

We want you to know we are committed to quality, integrity and hospitality on every level. As communicated last week, we continue to take precautions by reinforcing handwashing, cleaning, disinfection and health procedures in all our restaurants. We will keep monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we will let you know if anything changes.

Stay safe,

Tom Sterrett
CEO, D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

Letter From Our CEO on Covid-19

Dear Valued Guests,

The caring and well-being of our guests, team members and communities is extremely important to us, and we are taking the growing concerns around coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously. We started our business on the notion of “family” and community, and we think of all of you as our extended family. We share your concerns, and like all of you, we at D’Angelo have been following the latest recommendations by Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other health organizations. We take pride in our use of best practices for team training and restaurant hygiene, and we have created an internal task force whose focus is on the safety of our restaurants and offerings.

Below are some of the immediate actions we have taken:

Reinforcing that our team members should stay home if they are sick or caring for someone who is sick at home.
Increased the frequency of cleaning with disinfectant for all regularly touched surfaces including counters, tables, chairs, beverage areas, door handles, registers and delivery stations.
Adding sanitizer station at front counter.
Removing all condiments, utensils, cups, etc., from the beverage area. These will be provided to guests as needed.
Heightened team members’ awareness by providing frequent communication and directives on keeping themselves and everyone else safe and monitoring their own health.

At D’Angelo, we will continue to focus on taking these proactive and preventative measures in our commitment to you and the entire community. We thank you for your patronage and shared dedication in keeping our communities safe and healthy, and we look forward to serving you soon.

Tom Sterrett
CEO