1977
440
$200,000
$40,000
$1,050,000
No
Potbelly Sandwich Works is a fast-casual sandwich shop known for its toasty warm sandwiches, hand-dipped milkshakes, fresh salads, and welcoming neighborhood vibe. With a loyal customer base and a commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, Potbelly delivers a memorable dining experience in a cozy, inviting setting. As a franchisee, you tap into a well-established brand with a scalable business model and strong unit-level economics.
Why Invest in a Potbelly Sandwich Works Franchise?
✅ High Consumer Demand: With a growing shift toward fresh, fast, and flavorful food, Potbelly sits perfectly at the intersection of quality and convenience. Its handcrafted sandwiches, fresh salads, soups, and hand-dipped shakes appeal to a wide demographic.
✅ Proven Track Record: With over four decades of operational excellence and strong brand equity, Potbelly has built a reputation for high customer satisfaction and consistency.
✅ Scalable Business Model: From airports and malls to urban centers and suburban communities, Potbelly’s flexible footprint supports various formats.
✅ Strong Unit Economics:
Average Unit Volume (AUV): ~$1.3 million/year
EBITDA Margin: ~15%
Annual Profit Estimate: ~$195,000/unit
✅ Growing Franchise Network: Potbelly is expanding rapidly across key U.S. markets through multi-unit franchise agreements, offering territory protection and high ROI potential.
✅ Brand Popularity: The brand is widely recognized for its warm hospitality, comfort food, and community-driven approach—helping drive repeat business and strong word-of-mouth marketing.
Potbelly Sandwich Works began its journey in 1977 when Peter Hastings started serving warm, toasted sandwiches from his antique store in Chicago, using a potbelly stove—hence the name. In 1996, entrepreneur Bryant Keil bought the shop and transformed it into a scalable franchise model, launching multiple locations across the USA.
The company introduced franchising in 2009 and went public in 2013 under the name Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB). With over 430+ locations across the United States and expanding international presence—including a successful entry into the Indian market in 2017—Potbelly continues to grow as a dominant player in the fast-casual restaurant category.
Potbelly provides world-class franchise support to ensure your success:
🔹 Franchise Onboarding: Initial training includes 6 weeks of hands-on training at corporate and store locations.
🔹 Store Setup Assistance: Help with site selection, layout design, construction management, and equipment sourcing.
🔹 Operations Training: Full operational support for food prep, inventory, hygiene, and quality control.
🔹 Staff Hiring & HR Support: Guidance on hiring and training your team to maintain brand standards.
🔹 Marketing Support: National and local marketing campaigns, branding, social media tools, and loyalty programs.
🔹 Technology & IT Support: POS systems, digital ordering, app integration, delivery partner setup, and analytics dashboards.
Potbelly is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals or groups who:
Have strong business acumen and leadership skills.
Possess experience in restaurant or retail operations (preferred, not required).
Are committed to delivering excellent customer experiences.
Have the financial capability to develop and operate multiple units.
Align with Potbelly’s brand values and community-focused culture.
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales
Marketing Fee: 2% of gross sales
Total Investment Range: $650,000 – $1,050,000
Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $200,000
Minimum Net Worth Required: $500,000
Franchise Units (as of 2024): Approx. 440 locations (with a mix of franchised and company-owned units)
Established Year: 1977
Franchising Since: 2009
