Here's What Happened To The Blimpie Sandwich Chain
NEWS
By GRETA PANO
While Blimpie's experienced its greatest expansion in the ‘90s and early 2000s, opening over 2,000 shops nationwide, the sandwich chain now only has over 100 locations as of 2024.
Co-founders Tony Conza, Peter DeCarlo, and Angelo Baldassare created the business in 1964. They became so focused on expansion that they spent most of their money on new stores.
They eventually ended up in significant debt and started selling franchises. Luckily, Conza's decision to expand in the South paid off, and locations and revenue grew.
From 1983 to 1990, Blimpie's revenue grew from around $1 million to $120 million. However, the chain's steady decline began in 2002.
Conza sold the business to private investors. Kahala Brands (the owner of Cold Stone Creamery) acquired the sub shop in 2006, and more franchises closed around the country.
Some speculate that a lack of marketing/advertising was a contributing factor to its decline. The mention it does get is typically about the poor quality of the subs.
While the Internet doesn't exactly agree on whether Blimpie's many sub sandwiches are delicious or gas station quality, the chain has a nostalgic appeal for some.
