Capriotti's to mark 41st birthday with upsize deal

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, the national chain born in Delaware, will mark its 41st birthday Tuesday with a special deal for hardcore fans.

Customers who download the chain's CAPAddicts mobile app before Tuesday will get an email entitling them to upsize their 9-inch small sub order to a 12-inch medium at no extra charge – a $2 savings.

Those who download the app on or after Tuesday will still be able to get the discount by entering the promo code BDAYUPSIZE.

The deal will run from Tuesday to Saturday at all of Capriotti's 100-plus franchise locations in 18 states, including all 16 locations in the First State.

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The sandwich shop chain was launched in 1976 by the late Lois Margolet and her brother Alan at 510 N. Union St. in Wilmington, the same Little Italy neighborhood where they grew up.

Best known for specialty sandwiches like the Bobbie, the company began franchising in 1991 and grew to 45 locations by 2008 when Delaware native Ashley Morris, a Wells Fargo financial adviser, and his business partner Jason Smylie, a software engineer, struck a deal to buy the entire chain, except the original two locations in Wilmington and New Castle.

Cindy Cutler, Margolet's niece and manager of the Capriotti's on Basin Road near New Castle, said family-owned locations also will honor the birthday deal.

However, no special event is planned by the family, which is still morning from Margolet's death in January.

"We're very proud of Capriotti's history and hope it continues for many more years," Cutler said Thursday.

Contact business reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.