TOGO's Eatery, Another Start Up Business in San Jose, CA

One Reason to Start a Business

"Find a need and fill it. "  Jack Nadel, Use What You Have to Get What You Want.  Sometimes the simplest idea will make millions of dollars. 

All of us look for great quality food and a low price these days.  This statement was true 40 years ago. I remember this story of a college student who built a sandwich empire on these words.  Mike Cobler was the college student who bought a local sandwich shop in downtown San Jose close to SJSU. The shop, TOGO’s, is still a success story. 

TOGO's Eatery, Campbell, CA

TOGO’s as a Start Up

In 1971, a struggling college student stepped outside the box and purchased a sandwich shop on campus with his life savings, $19,000.  Cobler’s focus was to offer good quality and low prices. People could buy his sandwiches for 75 cents, roast beef sandwiches were 85 cents.

It was and still is the art of making the sandwiches which captivates people.  First, they order their sandwiches from a numbered list. Next, sandwich makers pile fresh items on the customer choice of bread.  They excel at the one thing they do.

Togo’s second sandwich shop opened nearby in Campbell, CA three years later when Cobler realized many of his customers had graduated and started working. These customers were searching for a place to go like where they used to go as students. 

Cobler was able to expand through the franchise method and still control the same value, ingredients, and service created.  He did agree to sell in 1997, remaining on as Consultant and owned 12 Bay Area shops.

TOGO’s Today

The headquarters has returned to San Jose, CA when acquired by Mainsail Partners, a San Francisco−based private equity firm in 2007. These sandwich shops are found throughout USA.  And of course, with great sandwiches at low cost. 

Yes, there are many entrepreneur stories like this in Silicon Valley.  I enjoy researching some of these stories outside the technology industry.  Togo's!

I'm hungry, it is time to go buy Togo's sandwich #17 for lunch!
What is your favorite sandwich?

Original sandwich shop in San Jose, CA

Second store in Campbell, CA

TOGO's Eatery

Uncovering stories off the beaten path ~ The Fun Tour Guru

*Stories are found through research and not sponsored by companies.

Don't Miss: Cable Car Museum - San Francisco

A popular ride in the San Francisco is of course the cable cars – and a great place to stop and explore is the Cable Car Museum. 

One of my previous San Francisco events was with a group of Australian engineers and (of course!) I received many questions about the Cable Car Museum, where it was, and the easiest way to get there. The research I prepared reminded me of the amazing entrepreneur story behind these famous Cable Cars.

Historic San Francisco Cable Cars

Cable Car Museum

The Cable Car Museum (415) 474-1887 is free to visit and located in the historic Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse.  Open daily (please call in advance to verify hours open) except a few major holidays. 

This excellent self guided tour overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the engines. You will see 3 antique cars from 1870s and of course there is a store to buy gifts.

Excuse this image - taken in process during the rain.  Location: Washington & Mason

San Francisco Entrepreneur Story Behind the Cable Cars

The San Francisco entrepreneur story we often forget from our Gold Rush days is about the man and inventor, Andrew Smith Hallidie.  Who is this? Yes, Hallidie was the inventor considered the Father of the Cable Cars. As many of these stories are passed down through the years, you may hear different versions.

Do you know that Hallidie’s father was an inventor in Great Britain with a patent for wire rope cable?  It was the Gold Rush which brought father and son to California. Many miners became disappointed and Andrew’s father returned to England. Hallidie stayed and worked many jobs like we do -- as a gold miner, blacksmith, surveyor, and builder of bridges throughout California. He was instrumental in using wire ropes to lower cars to haul ore from the mine to the mill. 

As many people did during the Gold Rush days, Andrew Smith Hallidie left the mining camps and returned to San Francisco where he started manufacturing wire rope. The Hallidie ropeway and aerial tramway were a couple of successful inventions and patents of his. After observing the suffering horses hauling heavy loads up and down the slick cobbled streets of these steep San Francisco hills, Hallidie created the loop mechanism where cable cars would be towed by an underground cable in 1873 and successfully created the cable car line.

Don’t Miss Attraction: Cable Car Museum

Cable car success reached throughout the world during this early period with the largest system in Melbourne, Australia. 

Today? San Francisco’s Cable Cars are a National Historic Moving Monument.

Be sure to purchase a day pass and get off of the Cable Cars at Washington and Mason streets. Go inside this Museum and discover even more of this story for yourself. It is not necessary   to be an engineer to enjoy the story.  

Do you like this article? Please review the items in this sidebar and share with your friends.  Add your insights about Cable Cars and talk with us below.

There is always more information to every story ~ The Fun Tour Guru

Bonus Insider Tip see below fun pictures (in action) and things to know when riding cable cars: 

Don't stand behind the gripman. 

  Hold on tightly to the loops.

Be prepared for the crowds in the cars on rainy days.

Other San Francisco activities are Chinatown Walks.

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Discover my Favorite San Jose Restaurant on a Walking Spree

Brews in San Jose, CA 

This "story" is about a favorite restaurant and brewing company which started in Silicon Valley. 

I recently had a request to meet up with out-of-town business colleagues – visitors to San Jose (from Canada and New York ) – who were in town for a conference. When they asked me where to eat, I asked, "Do you like beer?" The answer was "yes" and I knew exactly where to go.

Yes, it is fun to take this social media to another level, and meet up with professionals with whom you have been interacting with in different online forums for a couple of years. And, it was fun to tell some insider secrets about San Jose while walking to dinner from their hotel.   

Dinner, I chose an upscale, lively, casual, and fun place to go. The  idea for this restaurant was created in the south bay by 2 businessmen in 1987. No, not a wine place this time, it involves beer brewery.  Gordon Biersch (Known as GB). Yes, most people know about Gordon Biersch.

Two entrepreneurs, did you know Dan Gordon (brewer) and Dean Biersch (restauranteur and beer-lover) opened their first restaurant in downtown Palo Alto in 1988?  

And, they opened their state-of-the-art brewery and bottling facility in downtown San Jose in 1997.

Their vision, written on their website:  “To create a monument to beer, where people could come drink freshly-brewed beer and have a great meal simultaneously. Only authentic, German-style beers would be served and in the tradition of the ones Dan brewed while attending The Technical University of Munich, or the most renowned brewing school in the world.”

My type of place!  GB has this start-up Silicon Valley business history which blends with San Jose history.  And, most important, they have excellent beer, food, and a place to gather for amazing conversations (perhaps because of the beer?) 

Anyway, there is a great selection of food items to choose from which meets most everyone’s needs. If you should not be a beer enthusiast, there is a full bar available.  I haven’t tried any bar drinks though. Personally, I love the German-style beer.

Worth a splurge:  Add the Garlic Fries, soooo tasty! 

Dinner meet-up at Gordon Biersch

Gordon Biersch San Jose CA Courtesy of Miranda Miller

There are tours available at the brewery upon request and by appointment only.

It is all about the dinner.  What is your favorite entree?  

Walking tour on the way to eat dinner ~ have fun! The Fun Tour Guru 

Yes, upon request, I will show you highlights of San Jose too on a walking spree.