Togo's adds toasting option to menuTogo's adds toasting option to menu

Lisa Jennings

Joining competitors like Quiznos and Subway, the Togo’s Sandwiches chain has started offering toasted sandwiches.

Starting Wednesday, the San Jose, Calif-based sandwich chain will offer the toasting option, which was previously not available.

Operators within the almost-all-franchised 242-unit chain have invested in new Star Specialty Toaster ovens, which officials said operate like a panini press.

“At Togo’s, we want to ‘say yes to our guests’ and to give them what they crave — handcrafted sandwiches that now can be served toasted,” said Renae Scott, vice president of branding and marketing for Togo’s Eateries, based in San Jose, Calif.

In addition to the toasting option for regular menu items, the chain has launched a line of specialty toasted sandwiches:

- The Clubhouse includes applewood-smoked bacon, turkey breast, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, melted cheese with fat-free honey-dijon dressing on toasted San Francisco-style sourdough bread.

- The Pepper Jack Pastrami features hot pastrami, melted pepper jack cheese, pepperoncinis and Thousand Island dressing on toasted white bread.

- The Chili Cheese N’ Beef includes roast beef, red onions, chile-lime tortilla strips and barbecue chipotle mayonnaise with melted cheddar and warm chili on toasted white bread.

- Uncle Tony’s Italian includes Italian salami, capicolla, cotto, black forest ham, melted provolone, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, pepperoncinis and Italian vinaigrette on toasted parmesan bread.

Last month, Togo's debuted a new branding plan that aims to position the nearly 40-year-old sandwich concept as a “West Coast Original.” Stores with a new prototype design have opened in Valencia, Calif.; Sparks, Nev.; and Palm Desert, Calif. Three more are scheduled to open before the end of the year.

Existing units also will undergo a refresh, officials said, with new menu boards, uniforms, logo and signage.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].