Papa Gino's
Encyclopedia
Papa Gino's is a restaurant chain based in Dedham, Massachusetts
specializing in American-style pizza
along with pasta, subs, salads, and a variety of appetizers. There are over 200 Papa Gino's locations in Connecticut
, Maine
, Massachusetts
, New Hampshire
, and Rhode Island
.
as a single location named "Piece O' Pizza," which opened in 1961. In 1968, the owners, Helen and Michael Valerio, changed the name to "Papa Gino's" and began expanding the business to multiple locations.
In 1997 Papa Gino's bought D'Angelo Sandwich Shops
, another Massachusetts-based fast-food outlet specializing in sandwiches, from prior owner Yum! Brands
(then known as Pepsico Inc.'s Pizza Hut
unit).
Plans for expansion beyond New England were announced in early 2005, with franchisees securing the rights to develop locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. A few months later, executives of the holding corporation bought out the company.
Changes to the restaurants over the years include removal of the salad bar and the addition of self-service beverage bars and take-out counters. Many visual elements remain such as the gingham-printed
laminated tables, light oak wood finishes, and pizzas made in full view of customers.
and New England Patriots
, as well as individual players with the teams such as current Red Sox DH
David Ortiz
. Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi
replaced kicker Adam Vinatieri
as pitchman in fall 2006 after Vinatieri was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. With the retirement of Tedy Bruschi, Papa Gino's has launched a new advertising campaign meant to show the diversity of its employees. Most recently, a new franchise owner Gerald Rose was featured in a spot meant to attract children to Papa Gino's for their birthdays.
Papa Gino's and participating D'Angelo's have also started a Customer Loyalty program in which customers sign up for a free loyalty card and are rewarded with points that convert to dollars, at 50 points equals $5, for dining at either of the two chains.
Dedham, Massachusetts
Dedham is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,729 at the 2010 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest by Westwood and on the southeast by...
specializing in American-style pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
along with pasta, subs, salads, and a variety of appetizers. There are over 200 Papa Gino's locations in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, and Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
.
History
Papa Gino's originated in East Boston, MassachusettsEast Boston, Massachusetts
East Boston is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, with approximately 40,000 residents. The community was created by connecting several islands using landfill and was annexed by Boston in 1836. East Boston is separated from the rest of the city by Boston Harbor and bordered by Winthrop,...
as a single location named "Piece O' Pizza," which opened in 1961. In 1968, the owners, Helen and Michael Valerio, changed the name to "Papa Gino's" and began expanding the business to multiple locations.
In 1997 Papa Gino's bought D'Angelo Sandwich Shops
D'Angelo Sandwich Shops
D'Angelo Sandwich Shops is a chain of sandwich shops located throughout New England. It serves various kinds of hot and cold subs, wraps, and salads.- History :...
, another Massachusetts-based fast-food outlet specializing in sandwiches, from prior owner Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands, Inc. or Yum! is a United States-based Fortune 500 corporation. Yum! operates or licenses Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and WingStreet restaurants worldwide....
(then known as Pepsico Inc.'s Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
unit).
Plans for expansion beyond New England were announced in early 2005, with franchisees securing the rights to develop locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. A few months later, executives of the holding corporation bought out the company.
Changes to the restaurants over the years include removal of the salad bar and the addition of self-service beverage bars and take-out counters. Many visual elements remain such as the gingham-printed
Gingham
Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.The name originates from an adjective in the Malay language, genggang , meaning striped. Some sources say that the name came into English via Dutch...
laminated tables, light oak wood finishes, and pizzas made in full view of customers.
Advertising
Since the late 1990s, the chain has entered a corporate sponsorship agreement with the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, as well as individual players with the teams such as current Red Sox DH
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
. Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
replaced kicker Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
as pitchman in fall 2006 after Vinatieri was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. With the retirement of Tedy Bruschi, Papa Gino's has launched a new advertising campaign meant to show the diversity of its employees. Most recently, a new franchise owner Gerald Rose was featured in a spot meant to attract children to Papa Gino's for their birthdays.
Papa Gino's and participating D'Angelo's have also started a Customer Loyalty program in which customers sign up for a free loyalty card and are rewarded with points that convert to dollars, at 50 points equals $5, for dining at either of the two chains.