- Amato's
Infobox_Company
company_name = Amato's Sandwich Shops, Inc. | company_| company_type = Private | company_slogan = "It's Real Italian"| foundation = 1902 | location = flagicon|United StatesPortland, Maine ,United States | key_people = Dominic Reali,CEO | industry =Foodservice ,Fast food | products = Real Italian sandwich,pizza ,pasta | homepage = [http://www.amatos.com/ www.amatos.com]Amato's (sometimes rendered incorrectly as "Amatos") is a chain of
submarine sandwich shops in northernNew England ,United States . Founded in 1902 by Giovanni Amato, it operates 12 stores and multiple franchises, most notably in Irving Bluecanoe locations inMaine andNew Hampshire .The company is notable mostly for claiming the invention of the Italian sub in 1902.
History
In 1902, Giovanni Amato and his wife opened a store on India Street in
Portland, Maine . According to official literature, Amato's sandwiches containedham ,American cheese , and fresh vegetables, which the Italian immigrants along the waterfront seemed to enjoy. Amato named his sandwich the Italian in honor of his country and his people. [ [http://travel.mainetoday.com/fromaway/060405.shtml MaineToday.com "From Away] ]The store remained in the Amato family for seventy years (along with other stores in nearby Gorham and
Westbrook, Maine ) until it was sold to Dominic Reali. Reali added Greek olives and a blended sandwich oil. [ [http://tamatos.com/about_01.html The Real Italian Explained] ]Amato's Xpress
In recent years, Amato's has allowed several franchises to operate under the name Amato's Xpress. These locations, found mostly in
Irving Oil stations, contain Amato'spizza ,pasta , andsubmarine sandwiches but fewer specialty items. The Irving locations also have unique monthly specials while the others do not. [ [http://www.amatos.com/maine-locations/ Maine Locations (see Chelsea, Holden, and Fairfield)] ]ee also
*
Irving Oil
* Subway, a major competitor
*Submarine sandwich References
External links
* [http://www.amatos.com/home/ Amato's website]
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