Marco Russo
Founder & Head Chef
Marco turned his grandmother's Italian hoagie recipes into a thriving business. With 20+ years in food, he personally oversees every menu item and ingredient selection.
Our Story
About Primo hoagies
From a small Charlotte kitchen to your favorite primo hoagies destination — discover the passion, people, and flavors behind every great sandwich we craft.
15+
Years of
Primo Quality
Primo Quality
Who We Are
The Story Behind
Every Great Hoagie
Primo hoagies started with a simple belief: a truly great sandwich changes your entire day. Founded in Charlotte, NC, by a family who grew up making primo hoagies for neighbors, we've turned that passion into a full-scale operation serving thousands of happy guests every week.
What sets us apart is our primohoagies commitment to using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Every roll is baked in-house each morning, every slice of meat hand-selected, and every hoagie built to order with care.
From our flagship Charlotte location to catering events across the region, we bring the same energy, flavor, and hospitality to every single order — because you deserve nothing less than primo.
Baked Fresh Daily
Our signature hoagie rolls come straight out of our ovens every morning — no preservatives, just real flavor.
Locally Sourced Ingredients
We partner with local farms and suppliers to bring the best seasonal produce and meats directly to your sandwich.
Made with Genuine Care
Every hoagie is hand-crafted to order — because mass production and primo quality simply don't mix.
Our Pillars
Mission, Vision & Our Promise
Three guiding principles that shape every decision we make — from the kitchen to your table.
Our Mission
To craft the finest primo hoagies using real ingredients and real craftsmanship — serving every customer with the same love and attention we put into our very first sandwich.
Our Vision
To become the most trusted and beloved hoagie brand in the United States — where primohoagies is synonymous with freshness, bold flavor, and an unmatched sandwich experience.
Our Promise
Every guest who walks through our door or places an order online will receive a sandwich built with integrity, fresh ingredients, and a smile — every single time, without exception.
Our Journey
The Primo Story So Far
From a single storefront to a household name — here's how Primo hoagies grew from a dream into a destination.
2009
The First Hoagie
Marco and Elena Russo open a tiny 400 sq ft sandwich counter in Charlotte, NC. They serve 40 hoagies on opening day and sell out within two hours. The legend begins.
2012
Growing the Primo Family
Word-of-mouth turns into lines around the block. Primo hoagies expands to a larger location at Outlets Blvd, adding a full catering menu and hiring a team of 12.
2015
Primohoagies Goes Digital
We launch our first online ordering platform — making it easy for customers to place primohoagies orders from anywhere. Digital orders account for 30% of revenue within 6 months.
2018
Award-Winning Flavors
Primo hoagies wins the Charlotte Food Excellence Award for "Best Sandwich Shop" three years in a row, cementing our status as the city's go-to hoagie destination.
2021
Catering Across the Carolinas
Our catering division expands to serve corporate clients, weddings, and events across North and South Carolina — delivering the primos experience straight to your venue.
2024
Today & Beyond
Serving over 1,000 hoagies a day, Primo hoagies continues to grow — with a refreshed menu, new seasonal offerings, and an unwavering commitment to the same primo quality we started with.
The People
Meet the Primo Team
The passionate people who wake up every morning dedicated to making your next hoagie the best one yet.
Elena Russo
Co-Founder & Operations
Elena is the organizational genius behind Primo hoagies. She built our supplier relationships, training programs, and the systems that keep every order fresh and on time.
James Carter
Executive Catering Chef
James joined Primo hoagies in 2014 and transformed our catering division into a full-service operation. He specializes in scaling primo flavors for events of all sizes.
Priya Mehta
Customer Experience Manager
Priya ensures every guest — in-store or online — has an exceptional primos experience. She leads our feedback programs and community engagement initiatives.
Want to join the Primo hoagies family?
View Open PositionsWhat Drives Us
Our Core Values
These aren't just words on a wall — they're the principles that guide every hoagie, every hire, and every decision we make.
Primo Quality
We refuse to compromise on ingredients, preparation, or presentation. Every sandwich carries the Primo name — and that means something.
Community First
We're not just a restaurant — we're a Charlotte institution. We invest in our neighborhood, support local suppliers, and treat every customer like family.
Fresh Always
No shortcuts. No frozen shortcuts. No compromises. If it's not fresh enough to serve to our own families, it's not going on your hoagie.
Constant Innovation
While we honor our roots, we never stop improving. Our seasonal specials, new flavors, and evolving menu keep the primohoagies experience exciting and fresh.
Honest Business
Transparent pricing, accurate orders, and fair treatment for every team member and customer. We do things the right way, every time — no exceptions.
Joy in Every Bite
We believe food should make people happy. From the moment you smell the bread baking to the last bite of your primos hoagie — joy is always on the menu.