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Miller's Famous Sandwiches, a Rhode Island-based brand, is looking to open franchises in the Bridgeport area.

Miller's Famous Sandwiches, a Rhode Island-based brand, is looking to open franchises in the Bridgeport area.

Miller's Famous Sandwiches, a 50-year-old sandwich brand that originated in Rhode Island, is looking to expand into Connecticut with new franchise locations.

The third-generation, family-owned shop currently has restaurants in East Providence, R.I. and Attleboro, Mass., and is eyeing Bridgeport as its next community. 

Miller’s plans to open two or three local restaurants over the next few years, with other targeted growth markets including Hartford, New Haven and Stamford, according to a news release. Each restaurant will be approximately 1,500 to 2,200 square feet and employ 20 to 25 full- and part-time workers. 

The brand, which opened in 1972 in East Providence, started out simply, selling roast beef and ham sandwiches with baked beans and chips. Original owners Henry and Ruby Miller retired in 1986, selling the business to their daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Roger Graham. The third generation, Roger Graham Jr. and his wife Gwendolyn, opened the Attleboro location in 2010.

Roast beef is still a staple at Miller's, and the brand cooks 12,000 pounds of fresh roast beef each month for its sandwiches, according to its website. Other signature sandwiches are made with turkey, chicken, pulled pork and pastrami, and Miller's also offers a seasonal lobster roll. Sides include fries, onion rings, baked beans, cole slaw and clam strips.

“Happy and hungry diners have been getting their fill of Miller’s Famous Sandwiches for half a century. Customers who remember enjoying Miller’s signature roast beef sandwiches as children are now bringing their children to experience the magic,” said Gwendolyn Graham, Miller's president. “People love Miller’s and we’re excited to bring our unique product and services to customers in other communities such as Bridgeport.”

Leeanne is the food and consumer reporter for Hearst Connecticut, handling coverage of restaurant openings and closings, trends, events and general news about CT food and beverage businesses.

She's been working in Connecticut news for more than 15 years, most recently as the food and dining reporter for the Hartford Courant. A native of Worcester, Mass., she holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University.