Canfield business owner celebrated in Las Vegas for success as franchisee of the year
A Canfield sandwich shop owner traveled to Las Vegas to receive the Franchisee of the Year award from the International Franchise Association.
For Amber Walley, owner of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, receiving the honor for her shop was a full-circle moment about 17 years in the making.
Bringing Capriotti’s to Canfield
“I went to school at Kent State University. On spring break one year, we went to Vegas,” Walley said. “I fell in love with the city, took an internship in Las Vegas and fell in love with Capriotti’s.”
Around 2008, Walley said she was in Las Vegas after graduation working in the hospitality and fine dining industries, trying to figure out what kind of job she wanted.
But she said she couldn’t stop thinking about how big the sandwich shop was in Vegas.
“I told my family, ‘we need to open up a Capriotti’s here in our hometown, in Canfield.’ It took 17 years to do that, but we did it,” she said. “I love what I do; we have an amazing team there that also really loves what they do.”
Wally described it as a blessing to bring Capriotti’s to Mahoning Valley customers, who have welcomed the eatery with open arms.
“I get to wake up every day and follow something that I wanted to do for so long,” she said. “I truly love it. It is stressful, trust me. You have your ups and downs but at the end of the day, it’s always a good day.”
Plans for second Capriotti’s coming in 2025
This year, Walley is taking Capriotti’s to more customers by expanding to another location.
“We have our first location at 6442 S Raccoon Road in Canfield, and we’re going to be opening up our second location in Niles, which is set to open April 22,” she said.
Walley is also excited to join the Capriotti leadership board.
“I’m not only representing this franchisee, but now I can help grow and make decisions with the president, the CEO and four other franchisees to help make the brand better and grow,” Walley said. “If you truly believe in it, go for it. Don’t be afraid. So many people are afraid to take that chance. So many people told me this business isn’t going to go well, it’s not going to happen. But I did it anyway, and it’s great.”
What is Capriotti’s known for?
Capriotti’s began in Delaware back in 1976 by brother and sister business owners, Alan and Lois Margolet.
The Capriotti’s current CEO Ashley Morris and president Jason Smylie have been expanding the franchise into a nationwide chain since 1993.
“Amber exemplifies what it means to be a Capriotti’s franchise partner; her passion, dedication and commitment to both her team and her community are truly inspiring,” Morris said. “She has elevated the Capriotti’s experience in her hometown, building a loyal following and setting a benchmark for operational excellence. We are incredibly proud and look forward to her continued success growing the brand in Ohio.”
Capriotti’s signature sub, The Bobbie, is a made with slow-roasted turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s an ode-to-Thanksgiving sandwich available all year round that’s been ordered famously by former President Joe Biden.
“You don’t have many other fast casual restaurants that do hand-pulled turkey, so that’s what sets us apart from any different kind of sandwich shop brands out there,” Walley said.
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.
