Two popular sandwich chains that served loyal customers on both coasts are reducing their footprints based on economic issues.
The fast-food sandwich chain industry has not been spared from the same economic issues affecting the overall restaurant and retail industries.
Rising costs of labor and products driven by inflation and increased tariffs are among the economic issues these chains have faced.
Among the rising costs have been essential sandwich-shop products, such as imported cheeses, olive oil, seafood, and aluminum canned beverages, whose prices have all increased because of the Trump administration’s tariffs, according to data provider IBISWorld.
Those prices could come down following the recent Supreme Court ruling against the administration’s tariffs. It remains unclear when that might happen, however.
Wholesale food costs rose 5%
Wholesale food costs rose 5% year over year in 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association, amplified by the financial strain from rising tariffs, IBISWorld said.
Restaurants have passed those higher costs on to consumers through higher prices or smaller portions.
Economic issues have led sandwich chains to close locations that no longer make sense to operate.
Genova Delicatessen closed 2 locations
Iconic Northern California fast-food sandwich chain Genova Delicatessen has one remaining location open after closing down two shops in Walnut Creek, Calif.
The delicatessen chain closed its location at 1105 S. California Blvd. in Walnut Creek on Feb. 18, three months after closing its 2064 Treat Blvd. location, also in Walnut Creek, SFGate reported.
“This was a heartfelt decision made after years of navigating increasing economic challenges,” the business said in an email statement to The Mercury News. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve generations of Genova customers and to be part of this community for so long.”
The deli’s owner, John DeVincenzi, blamed the location’s lease for its closing but did not go into detail, KRON-TV reported.
“Every great thing comes to an end,” DeVincenzi told KRON-TV. “It’s just the way it happens with all our leases and everything going on in Walnut Creek. (The city) has been very good to us.”
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Primanti Bros. closes 2 restaurants
Legendary Primanti Bros. restaurant & bar chain confirmed that it closed two Pennsylvania locations in February at the Capital City Mall in Camp Hill, Pa., and Lancaster Shopping Center in Lancaster, Pa., according to WHTM-TV.
The closings come about five months after the sandwich chain closed locations at 983 Norland Ave., Chambersburg, Pa., and 100 Eisenhower Drive in Hanover, Pa., in September 2025.
Primanti Bros., which operates 37 restaurants located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and Maryland, did not reveal the exact dates of the restaurant closings.
“Following a detailed review of our portfolio, Primanti Bros. has decided to close our Camp Hill and Lancaster restaurants,” the company said in an email to WHTM.
Chain adjusts its overall footprint
“This is not a decision we take lightly. While we are adjusting our overall footprint to best meet demand, our commitment to both loyal customers in Central Pennsylvania and the iconic sandwiches we’ve been serving for almost a century remain unchanged,” the company said.
The restaurants’ closings are bound to disappoint loyal customers who enjoy Primanti’s style of sandwiches.
Primanti Bros., founded in 1933, serves its signature sandwiches with a choice of meat, french fries, cole slaw, and tomato stacked on Italian bread.
More closings:
- Bankrupt restaurant chains permanently close popular locations
- Major retail chain closes 35 stores nationwide, no bankruptcy
- Another major retail chain closes warehouse operations
The restaurant’s sandwich with fries between the bread slices was created by founder Joe Primanti’s nephew John DiPriter, who was frying a shipment of potatoes and tossed some on sandwiches at the request of customers, according to a story on the company’s website.
The style of fries on the sandwich became a hit with truck drivers who worked near the restaurant, as they were able to eat their sandwich and fries with one hand and drive with the other, as the story goes.
Primanti sandwiches include Angus Steak, PB Reuben, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Capicola, Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Cajun Chicken, Colossal Fish, Bacon, Italian Sausage, Kielbasa, Pitts-Burger, and several specialty sandwiches, all served with cheese.
Primanti Bros. closings:
- 3745 Capital City Mall Drive, Camp Hill, Pa. (Feb. 2026)
- 1659 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, Pa. (Feb. 2026)
- 983 Norland Ave., Chambersburg, Pa. (Sept. 2025)
- 100 Eisenhower Drive, Hanover, Pa. (Sept. 2025)
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