Javier Gomez receives the Franchisee of the Year Award, honoring outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators, at the 62nd annual International Franchise Association awards in San Diego. He is wearing the light blue shirt.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop debuts its second location Monday in Fresno at the Universal Park shopping center on Blackstone Avenue.

It is located at 7685 N. Blackstone Ave., #102, in the former Togo’s/Baskin-Robbins space.

The new Capriotti’s location is owned and operated by local resident and entrepreneur Javier Gomez, who also owns a dozen Rally’s restaurants around the Central Valley. He has worked in restaurants for more than 30 years.

According to a news release from the Las Vegas-based franchise, Gomez first came across Capriotti’s while at a Rally’s convention in Las Vegas. After trying one of the sandwiches, he was determined to bring Capriotti’s to Fresno.

Gomez opened his first Capriotti’s location in Fresno in 2019 at Fig Garden Village and was awarded ‘Franchisee of the Year’ by the International Franchise Association in 2022 for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

In addition to the two existing locations, Gomez has two more Capriotti’s stores under construction and plans to bring more to Fresno’s surrounding areas in the coming years, according to the release.

“I am thrilled to open my second Capriotti’s location in Fresno. Our first location quickly became a fan-favorite in the Fresno community and I wanted to continue to offer residents a place that can satisfy their sandwich cravings using only the freshest of ingredients,” said Gomez. “Capriotti’s is known for its high-quality, delicious ingredients that make the perfect combination for hoagies and catering. Our team can’t wait to continue providing our delicious options to the Fresno community and surrounding areas.”

Founded in 1976, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is an award-winning national chain with more than 170 locations.

“We are excited to continue to grow in the Fresno market,” said David Bloom, chief operating officer and chief development officer of Capriotti’s. “Javier is an exceptional operator with a reputation for excellence and the commitment to his community perfectly exemplifies Capriotti’s core values.”