Togo's Announces Creation of $15 Million Fund to Fuel Franchise Growth

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Togo's Eateries, Inc., a "West Coast Original" since 1971 serving up big, made-to-order sandwiches stuffed with the freshest ingredients, announced today the formation of a $15 million fund to fuel its development in 2012 and beyond.  The funding is available through a franchisee lending program agreement between Togo's Eateries, Franchise America Finance™ (FAF) and The Bancorp Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK). 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120126/NY42296LOGO )

With this funding, both new and existing qualified Togo's franchisees will have access to $10 million for remodels and transfers and $5 million to build new restaurants. 

"The Togo's brand is expanding into new and existing markets with an improved prototype that we're confident is going to bring even greater success to both our new and current franchise partners," said Tony Gioia, chairman and CEO, Togo's Holdings, LLC.  "We are especially excited to offer this exclusive fund to our franchise partners enabling them to grow and achieve their business goals."

Togo's experienced an unprecedented year of growth in 2011 with the signing of 23 agreements and the opening of seven new California restaurants, including a company-owned prototype in Pleasant Hill, CA.  Celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, the 241-unit company launched a strategic plan for expansion.  The plan includes remodeling options for franchisees to refresh existing units, while continuing to grow the brand in key growth states including Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  In 2012, 26 franchise locations and two corporate restaurants will open and 80 existing restaurants are planned to be remodeled.

"We are pleased to have Togo's join the growing brand portfolio at Franchise America Finance," said Ronald Feldman, CEO of FAF.  "Through Tony Gioia's leadership, Togo's has a tremendous brand presence and is poised for growth.  Providing capital to help foster additional unit development is our mission."

Togo's traditional restaurants boast one of the strongest sales to investment ratios in the sandwich segment, a 2-to-1 sales to investment ratio that is driven by its high average unit sales volume of $600,000.  Additionally, 51 percent of Togo's traditional restaurants operating for a full 12-months in 2010 experienced average unit sales in excess of $600,000, with 25 percent over $800,000.

Unlike the national mega-chains, at Togo's each guest is offered a deli inspired one-on-one style service in a fun, friendly environment.  There is a steadfast commitment to using only the freshest, superior-quality ingredients and proprietary proteins, which allows franchisees to serve food they can be proud of.  California avocados are mashed daily, abundant quantities of lean pastrami, roast beef, turkey and other premium meats, and Artisan bread set the brand apart from other sandwich shops.

With nearly 250 restaurants located in the Western U.S., Togo's is actively recruiting passionate franchisees to bring its high-quality, fresh sandwiches to new western markets and grow the brand to 400 restaurants by 2015. Togo's franchisees are typically raving fans of the brand and should be passionate and dedicated to creating a business that relentlessly serves its community and guests. 

Candidates looking to own a single restaurant should possess a net worth of $300,000 and a liquidity of $150,000.  Area developers looking to invest in three or more restaurants should have a net worth of $900,000 and a liquidity of $450,000.  The estimated initial investment to own a Togo's is between $257,813 and $419,796 with a franchisee fee of $21,000 - $30,000.

Togo's offers both single unit and multi-unit development opportunities in key growth markets in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  Interested entrepreneurs can contact Todd Peterson, vice president of franchise sales, at 818-597-9605 or [email protected], or visit http://www.togosfranchise.com.

About The Bancorp, Inc.
The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK) is a bank holding company that operates The Bancorp Bank, an FDIC-insured commercial bank that delivers a full array of financial services and products both directly and through private-label affinity programs nationwide. These programs enable members, employees and customers of Bancorp and its affinity clients to access customized online-banking services. To learn more, visit www.thebancorp.com.

The Government Guaranteed Lending division of The Bancorp Bank specializes in business loans and franchisee financing through programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It focuses on government-guaranteed lending and has more than 50 years of combined experience in the field.

About Franchise America Finance
Franchise America Finance, LLC (FAF) was formed by a group of franchising professionals to address the void in the capital markets for franchising. FAF can provide senior and subordinated debt, mezzanine financing, and equity for franchisors and franchisees. Franchisors interested in participating in this program should contact: Ronald Feldman or Nate Greenberg at 610-668-9780 or visit www.franchiseamericafinance.com.

About Togo's Franchisor, LLC
Togo's Franchisor, LLC helps qualified franchisees create their own "West Coast Original." Togo's locations generate some of the highest average unit volume in the sandwich restaurant segment, require a low investment, utilize only a small space footprint, offers best-in-class operational field support, carries remarkable brand loyalty and is a simple minimal-equipment turnkey business. For more information call 877-78-TOGOS or visit http://www.togosfranchise.com.

CONTACT:
Nicole Hunnicutt
Fish Consulting
404-558-4108
[email protected]      

SOURCE Togo's Eateries, Inc.