Amato’s Sandwich Shop Isn’t Just a Maine Thing Anymore

There are a handful of foods that people from Maine recognize as signature items from their state. Whether that be a red snapper, blueberry pie or a simple but delicious Italian sandwich.

Credit for that Italian sandwich is given to Giovanni Amato. More than 120 years ago, he opened a sandwich shop with the idea of serving something quick and easy to waterfront workers in Portland, Maine.

That's how the Italian sandwich was born. Waterfront workers gobbled up Italian sandwiches then and people from all walks of life continue to gobble them up now.

But if you're a Maine native, you might want to sit down for this next part. Amato's and the Italian sandwich isn't just a Maine thing anymore. They're expanding throughout New England and they're doing it quickly.

Amato's currently operates 24 locations throughout the state of Maine. Most of those locations are standalone but they do feature smaller versions of Amato's inside gas stations, the Maine Mall as well as a Rockland food trailer.

What may come as a surprise to many Mainers is that there are now more Amato's locations outside of Maine than in the actual state. Amato's operates 29 locations outside of Vacationland including their latest to open in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

12 of those out of state locations are in Vermont. The Green Mountain state has taken a liking to all things Amato's, including that delicious original Italian sandwich. Massachusetts and New Hampshire share the remaining 17 locations that operate outside of Maine.

Expansion of the Amato's brand isn't done, either. On their website, Amato's invites any hopeful franchisees to contact them as the Maine Italian sandwich strives to take over the world.