Togo’s Sandwiches has reinstated Glenn Lunde as Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Matt Dowling. Lunde previously led Togo’s for five years before departing to head Yoshinoya’s, and will now be tasked with refocusing the sandwich chain’s expansion, digital engagement, and franchised growth strategy.
Before his departure, Lunde guided Togo’s through a period of competitive headwinds in fast casual, helping it solidify its position among sandwich brands on the West Coast and Southwest. Since then, the chain has seen its open-store count dip: as of end-2024, there were about 150 open units versus 169 at the start of 2022. Under his return, Togo’s is looking to reverse the downward trend by growing its franchised portfolio and entering new markets.
Digital channels, delivery, and loyalty programmes will see renewed emphasis under Lunde. The brand has flagged these as priority areas, alongside remodeling its franchise locations to the “3.0 Speedline” design, which has shown higher average unit volumes where rolled out.
Currently, Togo’s has approximately 170 units either open or under development across its core geographic footprint in the West Coast and Southwest regions. The company projects six new franchised openings this year, signaling cautious but targeted growth.
Lunde returns with expectations to ensure that newer and existing franchise operators benefit from consistent brand standards, enhanced digital tools, and improved unit economics—a foundation the brand aims to build upon after recent churn in its franchised count.
Lunde expressed optimism about his second stint (as reported by the The Restaurant Dive), stating:
“Our focus is on bringing fresh ideas to the table, from creative menu innovation to stronger digital engagement and smart growth strategies. Together, we’ll ensure TOGO’S continues to stand out as a brand that delivers quality, value, and memorable experiences.”
Togo’s decision to re-elect a former CEO suggests that strategies deferred or implemented slowly under interim leadership will now be realigned and accelerated. Brands in similar positions might view this as a strong case for reinstating past leadership or continuity during transitions.
