Latest news with #Capriotti'sSandwichShop
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-sub shop workers accused of stealing $50,000 for unlicensed food truck, police report says
When Claudia and Marco Roca opened Capriotti's Sandwich Shop last summer in Plantation, they hyped its arrival with a marketing blitz. They introduced a 24-karat, gold-flake turkey sub. They even invited a celebrity, Edward 'Big Ed' Brown from '90 Day Fiancé,' to make them, drawing in legions of fans to the shop. Now their Plantation franchise is 'hanging on by a thread' — while their original Capriotti's in North Miami Beach has been forced to close — following the alleged theft of $52,800 in goods from both restaurants, Claudia Roca told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 'It has been devastating,' she said. 'We put everything into these restaurants, and now we could lose them both.' Roca accused a former Capriotti's manager, Shamika Johnson, and husband Johnny Georges Dorvil of conspiring to pull off an 'organized theft' of 'meats, breads, packaging and proprietary ingredients' over a six-month period between October 2024 and March 2025, according to an April 24 Plantation police report. Johnson and Dorvil, both Davie residents, allegedly used the stolen goods to cook and sell Philly cheesesteak subs out of an unlicensed food truck called Deb's Philly Cheesesteaks, which has multiple active accounts on social media, Plantation police records say. The Broward Sheriff's Office arrested Johnson, 46, and Dorvil, 46, on grand theft charges on May 16, Plantation police spokesman Chavez Grant confirmed in an email. Johnson was released after posting a $4,000 bail on May 18, while Dorvil remains in custody, according to county court records. Neither Johnson nor the Broward County Public Defender's Office, which represents Johnson and Dorvil, could be reached for comment despite multiple calls and text messages. The couple have not yet entered a plea, and no arraignment has been set as of the publication of this article, according to the Broward County Clerk of Court's office. Roca told police she hired Johnson as a general manager in October to work at her Capriotti's franchise locations in Plantation and North Miami Beach. Johnson then hired Dorvil without revealing to the Rocas that it was her husband, according to the April 24 Plantation police report. '[Johnson] told me she worked with someone really good all her life, wanted to bring this person in and she sent me his resume,' Roca told the Sun Sentinel. 'I reviewed the paperwork and put him on the payroll.' The report alleges that Johnson and Dorvil evaded detection for six months as they smuggled bread loaves, meats and cheeses out of the Plantation Capriotti's walk-in cooler and placed them into a gray SUV parked behind the building. One of those incidents was captured in a Feb. 15 surveillance video, according to footage turned over to Plantation police by Roca. In a March 6 video, a person identified in the police report as Dorvil is seen removing a small box of cheese from the cooler and nesting it inside a larger brown box before disappearing out of camera frame. Seconds later, the same person is shown holding the larger brown box outside on a separate surveillance camera. Roca told police that it was 'company policy to report the transportation of restaurant supplies from one location to another,' which Johnson and Dorvil never did. According to the report, Johnson used her 'access as a store manager to grant unauthorized compensatory meals and discounts to cover the discrepancies of the stolen merchandise.' Between October 2024 and February 2025, losses from the Plantation location alone totaled nearly $31,000, according to county arrest records. Roca told Plantation police that the total amount stolen adds up to $52,800 in 'improper [compensatory] meals' and stolen food items at both locations. In March, when Roca told Johnson that she wanted to set a meeting to discuss the discrepancies in missing inventory, Johnson 'walked out and quit,' Roca told police. That's when the owners combed over old balance sheets and surveillance footage from both locations, tallied the losses and called police. Roca says she has also filed a report with North Miami Beach police, but the status of any investigation is unclear as of this article's publication. During the same month, Johnson and Dorvil started operating their Deb's Philly Cheesesteaks food truck, which created its first social-media post on March 8. In a public Facebook post on March 26, Johnson wrote that she created Deb's Phillys in honor of her late mother. 'I decided to open a food truck, something that me and her have talked about for many years,' she wrote. 'Unfortunately, we weren't [able] to do it before her passing, so I kept her dream alive.' Videos layered with hip-hop beats show customers eating Philly cheesesteak subs and french fries topped with bacon and ranch dressing. Johnson also appears in multiple videos. The couple picked up high-profile support when Keith Lee, an influencer with over 17 million TikTok followers who tastes and critiques takeout dishes in his car, shouted out the food truck. 'In my opinion, amazing. Absolutely amazing,' Lee said in his video posted April 14. 'I think, in my humble opinion, the best Philly cheesesteak I've had in a long time.' 'It's Keith Lee-approved!' a Deb's Philly Cheesesteak employee then cuts in. 'You heard it first here!' The food truck made regular visits to Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise and Riviera Beach as recently as late April, according to its online schedule. The food truck's last social-media post, on May 16, coincides with the date of Johnson and Dorvil's arrest. Also on May 16, a GoFundMe page was created titled 'Help Deb's Phillys Food Truck Recover' that stated an 'emergency situation' caused them to 'lose everything in our food truck and the truck itself.' Roca said her husband Marco and son Marco Jr. lost both their hotel industry jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and on a whim decided to invest their 'entire life savings' into opening the first two South Florida franchises of the Las Vegas-headquartered Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. But now, the loss of merchandise has forced her to close her 3-year-old North Miami Beach location on May 10, while Plantation is 'barely holding on and losing money.' One North Miami Beach employee has lost their job, while two others agreed to relocate to the Plantation eatery. Both Capriotti's locations were insured, but not for alleged employee theft, she said. 'We're trying to get out of our [North Miami Beach] lease now,' Roca said. 'I don't know how much longer I can hold on. I put all my heart into the people that I trust, and this still happened to me.' Sun Sentinel features writer Phillip Valys can be reached at pvalys@ or X at @philvalys.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Owner Expands Capriotti's Presence with Post Falls Opening
Award-Winning Cheesesteaks, Sandwiches and Subs Coming Soon to Post Falls POST FALLS, Idaho, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Capriotti's Sandwich Shop (Capriotti's), known for its award-winning, hand-crafted cheesesteaks, turkey subs and more, has announced the opening of a new location in Post Falls. The shop is slated to open at 264 S Beck Road on May 20. Capriotti's introduces local communities across the U.S. to the brand's 40-year-old tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house, and other one-of-a-kind sandwiches made using the freshest ingredients. Meet the Local Franchise Owner:Capriotti's Post Falls is owned and operated by local resident Jameson Angle. After spending his career in information technology, Angle sought a way to work more closely with people and serve his community. He discovered Capriotti's and was drawn to the brand's distinctive flavors and signature sandwiches, leading him to open a location in Coeur d'Alene in 2022. He has run that location, as well as the new one, along with his wife, Aimee, and their two daughters. Now, he is expanding with a new restaurant in Post Falls, giving more people the opportunity to experience Capriotti's award-winning menu. "I've always wanted to be part of something that brings people together, and Capriotti's does just that," Angle said. "From the first bite, I knew this was a concept I wanted to share with my community. I'm excited to expand into Post Falls and introduce even more people to the incredible food and experience Capriotti's has to offer." Capriotti's is known for its wide array of sandwiches including: The Bobbie: An award-winning creation made with fresh oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo. Capastrami: Crafted with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and homemade coleslaw. Cheesesteaks: Made with premium steak, chicken, or Impossible plant-based meat and melted cheese, plus hot or sweet peppers. In addition to its handcrafted sandwiches, the new Capriotti's shop will bring a multitude of new jobs to the Post Falls market. Capriotti's fans can download the Capriotti's Rewards app on iOS and Android to earn, redeem rewards and score free food at Capriotti's shops. Capriotti's in Post Falls will offer convenient order-ahead options, online ordering, and third-party delivery services. Capriotti's also offers catering for any event, from corporate events to birthday parties, with catered items including cold sub party trays, box lunches, or a hot homemade meatball bar. For more information, please visit or call (208) 981-0010. About Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Founded in 1976, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is an award-winning national franchised restaurant chain that remains true to its 49-year-old tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house every day. Capriotti's cold, grilled, and vegetarian subs, cheesesteaks and salads are available at more than 175 locations across the United States. Capriotti's signature sub, The Bobbie®, was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" by thousands of readers across the country, as reported by Capriotti's fans can also download the CAPAddicts Rewards app for iOS and Android, where they can earn and redeem rewards. Capriotti's plans to grow to over 750 locations by 2032 and was ranked on Fast Casual's Top Movers & Shakers List each of the last five years (2020-24). For more details about Capriotti's, including franchise opportunities available across the country, visit Like Capriotti's on Facebook, follow on Twitter or Instagram. Media Contact: Evan Hensley | Fishman PR | ehensley@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New sandwich shop opens in Howland
HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN) – A new sandwich shop opened in Howland Tuesday. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is doing business at 2484 Niles Cortland Road. This is the second location for owner Amber Walley. The other shop is in Canfield, and she plans to open more in Northeast Ohio. Walley is originally from Trumbull County and was recently named Franchisee of the Year with Capriotti's. Brandy Johanntges contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple brings popular sandwich brand to CT, one open, two coming. Why they picked certain locations
James and Nicole Drazdowsky have brought a national premium sandwich chain to Connecticut that's famous for 'The Bobbie,' a fresh oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo creation. The Drazdowskys hope to sell lots of sandwiches, but they also have the goal of 'fostering community.' The couple recently opened Capriotti's Sandwich Shop in Enfield at the newly renovated Noble Gas station at 190 Elm St. They have two others planned at expanding Noble Gas, one opening in Windsor, likely in October and another in Hamden for spring of 2026. 'It's definitely a place where were trying to build community,' Drazdowsky said, noting in Enfield they have outdoor fire pits and will be involved in the local community. 'I've always been a people person.' Drazdowsky said they became interested in the company after going through training with relatives who opened one in northern Idaho. A year later, while shopping for properties here, they found the Enfield location in the gas station commissary and 'fell in love with the setting.' Michael Frisbie, co-owner of Noble Gas, Inc. is excited too. 'Capriotti's brings best-in-class sandwiches to our customers while aligning with our mission to offer a clean, welcoming, and high-class experience,' Frisbie said. 'James and Nicole's Capriotti's locations are family-run, Connecticut-based businesses, just like Noble Gas,' Frisbie said. This partnership is about more than just food; it's about creating a destination where people want to stop, refuel, and enjoy a great meal from those that care about quality in their communities.' Founded in 1976, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is an award-winning, nationally franchised restaurant chain that slow-roasts whole, all-natural turkeys in-house. They have more than 175 locations across the United States, according to the company. 'All if the sandwiches are unique, high end,' Drazdowsky said. said.'We're excited to introduce Connecticut to Capriotti's, and we believe this partnership with Noble will set a new standard for what guests expect from a convenience store dining experience.' Aside from The Bobbie other customer favorites are Capastrami, a hot pastrami sandwich with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and homemade coleslaw and cheesesteaks made with premium steak, chicken, or plant-based meat, melted cheese, and hot or sweet peppers. Guests can also skip the bread and get the sandwich contents served over a bed of fries. The commissary area, which has seating, also includes a Dunkin Donuts. Drazdowsky said while gas stations can have a 'negative' image, the Noble facilities are 'top notch.' The Enfield location was to open April 25.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop to open in Connecticut on 25 April 2025
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is set to open its first outlet in the US state of Connecticut in the town of Enfield on 25 April 2025. The store at 190 Elm St will be located within a Noble Gas fuel station. It is the first of three set to open through a partnership with James and Nicole Drazdowsky, who are introducing the brand to the state in collaboration with Noble Gas. Drazdowsky stated: "I was drawn to Capriotti's because of its commitment to quality and its strong corporate support system. We're excited to introduce Connecticut to Capriotti's, and we believe this partnership with Noble will set a new standard for what guests expect from a convenience store dining experience." All three new Capriotti's locations in Connecticut will be part of Noble Gas's strategy to transform the traditional convenience store and fuelling experience, pairing food offerings with EV charging, car washes and a range of modern amenities. Capriotti's and Noble Gas are exploring further expansion opportunities across New England. Potential sites including Massachusetts and Rhode Island are under consideration. The Enfield store's menu will include The Bobbie, featuring oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo. Capastrami is a hot pastrami sandwich with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and homemade coleslaw, while Cheesesteaks are made with premium steak, chicken or plant-based meat, melted cheese and hot or sweet peppers. The new location will also offer the Capriotti's Rewards App, convenient online and order-ahead options, third-party delivery services and event catering. Following the Enfield launch, the Drazdwoskys plan to open additional Capriotti's locations in Windsor and Hamden. Noble Gas co-owner Michael Frisbie added: 'Capriotti's brings best-in-class sandwiches to our customers while aligning with our mission to offer a clean, welcoming and high-class experience. "James and Nicole's Capriotti's locations are family-run, Connecticut-based businesses, just like Noble Gas. This partnership is about more than just food - it's about creating a destination where people want to stop, refuel and enjoy a great meal from those that care about quality in their communities." "Capriotti's Sandwich Shop to open in Connecticut on 25 April 2025" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
