Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop Expands to Southern Arizona; Tucson Military Veteran Signs on as Newest Franchisee

(TUCSON, Ariz. – Oct. 29, 2026) –– Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop, the innovative sandwich brand serving up its signature sandwiches at more than 60 locations across Arizona and California, has signed longtime Tucson resident and military veteran Daniel Hanamoto as its newest franchisee, with plans to open the brand’s first Southern Arizona location in Tucson.

The venture marks a new chapter for Hanamoto, whose more than two decades of military service in Tucson and longtime appreciation for Mr. Pickle’s have helped guide his own path to restaurant ownership.

Hanamoto grew up in Hilo, Hawaii, and left to join the military shortly after high school. His service brought him to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson in 2003, where he began working as an aircraft electrician on A-10s before later working on to F-16s.

What began as a military assignment eventually became a place to call home. Hanamoto and his wife, who shares his hometown roots in Hilo, settled in Tucson, bought a home and raised their three sons together in the city.

The idea of owning a restaurant had come up several times in conversations between Hanamoto and his wife over the years. They both had considered what it might be like to lead a restaurant, even looking into a franchise years earlier. Nothing came of those plans, but Hanamoto found himself thinking about a different future after retiring from the military in April 2026 following more than 23 years of service.

Hanamoto first discovered Mr. Pickle’s more than a decade ago while visiting his best friend in San Jose, California, who suggested they get lunch at one of his favorite spots. Hanamoto quickly became a fan after trying a Mr. Pickle’s sandwich himself, making it a point to stop by whenever he returned to California.

“What I like about Mr. Pickle’s is that they’re always finding ways to keep the menu interesting without losing the quality food and personality that have made so many people fans in the first place,” said Hanamoto. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed as a customer, and now I want to make sure we’re delivering that same experience in my own restaurant.”

After retiring from the military, Hanamoto took a job in a familiar field, but it didn’t offer the kind of challenge he was looking for. The restaurant idea he and his wife had talked about years earlier began to feel more realistic. Hanamoto took the leap to see what it would take to bring a Mr. Pickle’s of his own to the community.

Now, with his family’s support, Hanamoto is preparing to trade aircraft maintenance for restaurant operations. He plans to oversee the day-to-day business himself, introducing more people across Southern Arizona to the Mr. Pickle’s signature sandwiches and menu items he’s enjoyed for years.

“Mr. Pickle’s stands out from the rest, and I’ve always thought people in Tucson would love it, too,” said Hanamoto. “This is a close-knit community that I’ve called home for more than 20 years. I’m excited to be the one bringing the brand here and giving people the chance to try it.”

Hanamoto is currently working with the company’s franchise development team to secure a location, with a potential site under consideration.

The Tucson veteran joins Mr. Pickle’s as the company continues to focus on growth through locally operated restaurants, working with franchisees who know their communities and want to play an active role in the businesses they build.

“Daniel brings years of experience working with teams and understands the responsibility that comes with leading others,” said Mike Nelson, CEO of Mr. Pickle’s. “His willingness to learn and build a business of his own reflects the kind of commitment we value in our franchisees. We’re proud to have him leading our expansion into Southern Arizona.”

Mr. Pickle’s opened its first sandwich shop in Northern California in 1995 before expanding into Arizona following the brand’s purchase by Nelson. Now headquartered in Scottsdale, the company has continued growing across Arizona and California, building a following for its specialty sandwiches made with ingredients sourced from artisan bakers, regional farms and ranches.

The brand strives to give guests more ways to enjoy it’s menu, too. Following its first major menu revamp, the brand introduced wraps and expanded its oven-toasted options with bold new flavors. Through its Pickle Points Fan Rewards program, guests can also earn points on each purchase toward earning free menu items and take advantage of exclusive promotions throughout the year.

The company earned national recognition for its growth and innovation in 2026, reaching No. 65 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, its highest ranking to date. Mr. Pickle’s also secured the No. 31 spot on Restaurant Business’ Future 50 list.

Mr. Pickle’s has also upgraded its technology with PAR Technology, connecting loyalty, ordering and customer data under one platform to make daily operations easier for franchisees and improve the guest experience.

For more information about Mr. Pickle’s or franchise opportunities, visit www.mrpickles.com.