Our Story

The very first Panino’s Italian restaurant was opened in downtown Colorado Springs by Everetta Lou and Tony Frasca in 1974, and was originally named Pizza Plus. In fact, two very popular items on the Panino’s menu, the Big T pizza and the Lou’s Best pizza, are named after the founders. In 1982 the second Pizza Plus was opened on 8th Street in the Broadmoor area.

By 1991 the original Pizza Plus restaurants had grown by leaps and bounds, and was renamed Panino's Restaurant. The name changed was driven by the immense popularity of the Panino sandwich. As the reputation of the restaurants continued to grow, other family members began to open new stores. Now there are several Panino’s restaurants across the United States, including three in Colorado Springs, one location in Fort Collins, and one location in the Twin Cities of Minnesota selling the Famous Panino Sandwich.

Although the Panino’s family of restaurants has grown considerably since the early days in Colorado Springs, we are proud to say that all of our locations are still owned and operated by members of the Frasca family.