Restaurant guests spoke and Uncle Maddio's Pizza listened: The Foldwich, which started as a limited-time offer, has become a permanent menu item due to its incredible success. Following very high praise by consumers and franchisees alike, Uncle Maddio’s has replaced its Panini offerings with the Foldwich. It has been so well liked by restaurant guests it is now a top seller across the system.
Inspired by Uncle Maddio’s core menu item, pizza, the restaurant created a nontraditional craft sandwich that combines classic pizza with the convenience of a toasted sandwich. The Foldwich, however, is not a folded slice of pizza. It is made with a special recipe of homemade flatbread pizza dough in traditional or whole-wheat flavor. Employees build the Foldwich using a layered approach to ensure the flavors of the fresh ingredients are enhanced during the toasting process. Just like Uncle Maddio’s guests watch their pizza being built on the order line, the Foldwich is built in the same way. When it comes out of the oven it is dressed with fresh toppings and seasonings.
“We knew we created something special when we introduced the Foldwich as a limited time offer, but we were blown away by how quickly it became a menu favorite,” says Matt Andrew, Uncle Maddio’s CEO. “We soon realized we needed to make it a permanent menu item for guests to enjoy yearlong.”
The Uncle Maddio’s Foldwich is available in four varieties: Steak & Cheese, featuring grilled steak, Mozzarella, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, arugula, red wine vinegar, and basil aioli; Spicy Italian, with pepperoni, salami, prosciutto, ham, Mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, red onions, banana peppers, mixed greens, and Italian dressing; Caprese, with grilled chicken, fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes, arugula, red wine vinegar, and pesto; and the Mediterranean, featuring grilled chicken, goat cheese, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, portabellas, tomatoes, arugula, house-made olive tapenade, and Greek dressing. Guests can also customize their own version choosing from 48 different ingredients. The Foldwich is available as a single menu item for $8.99 or as a half Foldwich and salad option for about $8.99.
Uncle Maddio’s is a next generation pizza restaurant that lets guests build their own pizza exactly how they want it and cooked in fast baked ovens and served to their tables in about six minutes. Guests choose from one of three crusts, including a delicious gluten-free option, and 48 toppings, including six sauces, 27 vegetables, and 15 meats. Everything is fresh, from the pizza dough and sauce that’s made in-store each day to the wide variety of veggies. For guests looking to expand their pizza horizons, Uncle Maddio’s also offers signature pizzas ranging from the meaty Big Max to the spicy Jamaican Jerk. Create-your-own salads and Foldwich sandwiches round out the Italian-inspired menu. The restaurant also offers a selection of craft beers and wine.
Since launching its aggressive growth plan in 2008, Uncle Maddio's has signed franchise agreements with 65 different entities in 19 states. Many of Uncle Maddio's franchisees have previous multiunit experience with Jimmy John's, Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Burger King, Krystal, Papa John's, Domino's, and Golden Corral. Uncle Maddio's is on track to have 300 restaurants open in five years with 1,000 units in development.
