Two popular out-of-state sandwich chains are rolling into the Denver area

There are a breathtaking number of fantastic, independently owned and local sandwich places in the Denver metro area — in fact, it’s one of the cuisines that we do best. Colorado also has its share of homegrown sandwich chains, like Quizno’s, Snarf’s and Cheba Hut.

But out-of-state sandwich chains are knocking down the doors on all sides — bringing their heroes, hoagies, subs, po’boys and grinders to town.

The latest sandwich chains to make an entrance are PrimoHoagies, an East Coast mainstay known for its rolls, its massive menu and its Philadelphia roots, and Capriotti’s, which makes a much-loved turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing sandwich called the Bobbie.

Colorado’s first Primo’s location will open this summer at 6200 Leetsdale Dr., in Denver, but the local franchisee has plans to open five more stores in the near future in the Denver and Boulder area, according to a statement from the company.

The expansion into Colorado is part of a bigger plan that will bring the company’s hoagies across the Mississippi River for the first time into Colorado and Texas for starters. Founded in 1992 in Philadelphia and headquartered in New Jersey, the rest of the Primo’s stores are in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the brother-and-sister team of Terrence Kane and Norma Rochford opened a franchised location of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on June 20 in the Pindustry bowling and entertainment venue, at 7939 Arapahoe Rd. in Greenwood Village.

Nevada-based Capriotti’s is a 46-year-old chain with 170 locations across the United States. It specializes in slow-roasted turkey sandwiches, cheesesteaks. The company is undertaking a huge expansion across the country, and plans to open another eight locations in Colorado.