Photograph by Sebastian Widmann
David Morales passes a drink to a customer at the Los Gatos Togo's. According to co-owner Laura Callahan, this location was used by Togo's to film a training video for new Togo's locations on the East Coast.
Owners of local Togo's think of shop as a 'mom and pop'
By Suzanne Cristallo
In 1983, their 400 daily customers had the parking lot to themselves, when Togo's sandwich shop was the first to sign a lease in the King's Court shopping center on Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Because of the local perception of chain stores, even though their store is a privately-owned franchise, owners Laura and Scott Callahan felt like black sheep.
"I've never felt we could be perceived, like in downtown, as a 'Mom and Pop'," says Laura, "but indeed that's what we are." The couple runs the store; they live in town, and their two children go to Blossom Hill School.
Since the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, Laura feels the whole flavor of the town has been changing. Honest-to-goodness chains have moved in. "Some of them have been a big mistake," she says, in spite of the care the town has taken. But, all the while, the Callahans have involved Togo's more and more in the community.
It's not unusual to see trays of Togo's assorted sandwiches at luncheons for suited business executives. "We make them neater to eat, so their good clothes won't get messed," she says. It's also common to attend local sport, music or art function and find Togo's behind the fundraising. "We are involved," Laura emphasizes. "The thickest folder in my office is for fundraising requests."
The food is popular. It takes a staff of 35--10 of those are full-time--to keep up with the demand for up to 30 different sandwiches and salads that continues all day and into the night. The biggest seller is the hot pastrami (No. 9). Made with a special spice mixture, the meat is sliced thinly and piled high. Next is the new Sicilian chicken (No. 15), a combination of roasted chicken with tomato cream sauce, topped with melted provolone cheese and served on a soft French roll with all the fixings. The store promises that vegetarians will like its hummus sandwich with a creamy mixture of garbanzo beans and spices.
Prices range from $3.99 for a regular-size sandwich up to $14.49 for the family size. Known for its eight-foot-long sandwich, which makes a big impression placed in the center of a picnic table, the giant serves 3 1/2 people per foot. "It's the best deal at $2 per person," notes Laura. "It's the best-kept secret in town."
The volume of business comes from the Callahans ability to concentrate on daily sales and customer service. The freedom comes from being a franchise, which provides training and promotion opportunities for employees, advertising and use of a large culinary department run by chefs who experiment with recipes and flavors that are workable in the restaurant.
"They keep our name in the forefront," Laura explains. "In return, we pay them a percentage of sales and maintain our store according to specific standards. We are A-rated."
Togo's started in 1971 as a small shop across from San Jose State University, where founder Michael Cobler offered students sandwiches for 75 cents. He sold the rights to the name in 1997 to a United Kingdom corporation, Allied Domecq Retailing, which is taking Togo's worldwide.
Scott Callahan, 48 and a native of Castro Valley, bought into a group of five franchises owned by his brother soon after graduating from SJSU. Now sole owner of the Los Gatos store with Laura, 44, a native of Walnut Creek whom he met through friends in San Jose, the pair has plans in the works to buy a second store.
Togo's, 794 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. Open daily 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. 408.358.3463.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
