PrimoHoagies to open 100th store, expand to new state

Fast-growing PrimoHoagies is celebrating two milestones: the opening of its 100th location and its entrance into yet another state. 

The Westville-based sandwich chain, which opened six locations in January and February – including one in Allendale – announced March 15 that its 100th store will begin welcoming customers March 21 at 380 Egg Harbor Road in Sewell. 

The grand opening will begin at 9:30 a.m. with entertainment by Ferko String Band, followed by a ribbon-cutting and “bread-breaking” ceremony at 9:45 a.m. To mark the occasion, PrimoHoagies will offer giveaways and discounts to its Primo Perks Rewards Program members, as well as limited-edition branded gear. 

At noon that day, the company will also host a celebration at its headquarters at 610 Ryan Ave. in Westville, complete with free hoagies, cake, entertainment, gift cards, merchandise – and the pièce de résistance, a 100-foot hoagie. 

PrimoHoagies said it will treat Westville first responders to lunch and deliver 100 free hoagies to community organizations that day, as well.

Hello, Michigan 

In January, the franchise announced stores would soon open in Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, New York and Texas, bringing its footprint to 12 states. On March 15, PrimoHoagies expanded on that news, saying it signed an eight-store deal in Michigan. 

With these additions, PrimoHoagies has 85 stores under development and 125 total scheduled to open by the end of 2023, according to the company. 

It also announced it had its strongest first quarter in sales history, putting it on pace to reach a record $100 million in sales for 2023. PrimoHoagies said this is more than double the sales when recent NJBIZ Power 100 honoree Nicholas Papanier Jr. was named owner, president and CEO in October 2019. 

Papanier called the 100th location “a major milestone in the franchise industry.” 

“We have a tremendous opportunity to continue our expansive growth and we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and the best customer service in the industry,” Papanier added in a statement. 

Breaking records 

PrimoHoagies’ recent major accomplishments include: 

• Its most successful year of sales in 2020, followed by a 21% year-over-year increase in gross sales in 2021 and an additional 18% year-over-year increase in gross sales in 2022. 
• Average unit volume (AUV) of PrimoHoagies Franchising Inc.’s top 25% of stores increased from $1.09 million in 2020 to $1.40 million in 2022. Across all locations, AUV was $957,302 in 2022. 
• Forty-seven franchise locations sold in 2021, 48 in 2022, and 15 expected to be sold in the first quarter of 2023.