Jennifer Cairns had a grilled cheese sandwich, a cup of tomato soup and an epiphany upon her first visit to a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop.
“I wondered if it was new or if it was a chain,” Cairns said.
As it turned out, it was both, and she wanted to own and operate one.
On April 28, Capriotti’s opened at 327 SW 10th Place in Cape Coral, in the Shops at Del Mar, a new shopping center off Pine Island Road near Kia of Cape Coral and Roger Dean Chevrolet. Papa John’s, Sunset Chicken and Tropical Smoothie Cafe also are in the center.
Jennifer Cairns, center, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in Cape Coral on April 28.
Capriotti’s began in 1976 in Little Italy in Wilmington, Delaware, as a family-owned sub shop. The original owners sold the company to Las Vegas-based franchisees and investors in 2008. Since then, the chain has expanded from 44 to more than 150 locations.
The franchise is new to Cape Coral but not to Southwest Florida. Another franchisee operated a Capriotti’s from April 2006 to October 2018 in The Shops at Hidden Lakes off U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs. It closed when the franchisee moved away.
Cairns first encountered Capriotti’s in December 2023 in Fort Mill, South Carolina, where the Buffalo, New York, native spent much of her youth.
Customers place orders inside Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on opening day in Cape Coral, where the chain serves hot and cold subs.
“I started exploring it,” Cairns said of the franchise. “I had a call with the Capriotti’s team.”
That visit led to a phone call later that month and a franchise agreement in January 2024.
Because the South Carolina territories already had been claimed, Cairns looked to Florida. Her fiance, Jayson Nesbill, loves the heat and works as a pilot for American Airlines. He was on board with a move.
Cairns works remotely as a national account manager for Check Point Systems, which sells retail security monitoring devices. She was able to relocate easily.
Cairns’ friend since middle school, Jayne Turk, lives in nearby St. James City. Her presence helped seal the deal.
Turk, Nesbill and friend Sandy Duhr attended the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop opened at 327 SW 10th Place in Cape Coral, marking the chain’s return to Southwest Florida.
“I signed the agreement, and here we are,” Cairns said.
Cairns owns the territorial rights to open at least two more Capriotti’s from as far south as Naples to as far north as Port Charlotte. For now, she’s focusing on establishing the Cape Coral rollout.
Capriotti’s specializes in slow-roasted Butterball-brand turkeys cooked in-house.
The Bobbie includes turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayonnaise on a roll, priced from $7.99 for a mini to $22.99 for a large.
Capriotti’s menu highlights cheesesteaks, sandwiches
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in Cape Coral features a menu built around cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches and specialty offerings, including plant-based options. The fast-growing franchise, known for its slow-roasted turkey and made-to-order subs, recently opened its newest Southwest Florida location.
A chicken chipotle sandwich showcases the variety of flavors available at Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop.
Other menu items include a classic Italian, plant-based turkey, American Wagyu roast beef, cheesesteaks and salads.
Cairns has hired 24 employees. Although she still loves the grilled cheese, she has branched out — and recommends the Bobbie.
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