October 26, 2026 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – Potbelly, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, announced today the appointments of Robert Bhagwandat as Vice President of Franchising and Andie Smirl as Director of Franchise Development. Working alongside Senior Vice President of Franchising and Development Jennifer Durham, they will focus on attracting qualified operators, supporting franchise obligations and new-unit investments with existing franchise owners and advancing development in priority markets.
Bhagwandat will oversee franchise recruitment and sales, focusing on driving growth with qualified multi-unit restaurant operator groups. Smirl will work closely with prospective franchise owners to progress the sales process, and she will guide expansion efforts in top priority markets.
“Robert and Andie understand that thoughtful growth starts with strong relationships,” said Durham. “They each bring a valuable perspective on what operators look for throughout the franchise sales process, from evaluating an opportunity to opening shops and growing their portfolios. Their combined expertise will strengthen our team as we execute our plan to bring Potbelly to more communities.”
Joining Potbelly from Checkers & Rally’s, Bhagwandat most recently served as Senior Director of Franchise Development and Acting Vice President of Development. His experience spans franchise recruitment, real estate, operations and market development, with a focus on attracting multi-unit operators and supporting expansion across traditional and non-traditional settings.
Smirl brings nearly a decade of experience across franchise operations, sales and development. In her previous role, she served as director of franchise sales for Houston TX Hot Chicken. Earlier in her career, she worked in restaurant operations before transitioning into franchise development, giving her firsthand perspective on how growth decisions translate at the shop level.
At Potbelly, Bhagwandat and Smirl will give proven restaurant operators opportunities to invest in a system that offers multi-unit operators a scalable model with multiple revenue channels, including in-shop, digital and catering, along with flexible formats that broaden site selection opportunities. As the brand continues expanding across the United States, it is seeking qualified multi-unit restaurant groups looking to diversify into the sandwich segment.
For additional information about the Potbelly franchise opportunity, visit https://franchising.potbelly.com.
Founded in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly Sandwich Works is a neighborhood sandwich concept known for warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes, and genuine “good vibes” hospitality. Each shop reflects the unique character of its local community, all while delivering a consistent guest experience. A strong operational model, industry-leading average unit volumes and healthy shop-level profitability have consistently positioned Potbelly among the top-performing sandwich concepts in the fast-casual restaurant industry, earning the brand repeated recognition on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. Potbelly has also received significant industry recognition through honors, including Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list and Yelp's Fastest Growing Brands ranking, QSR Magazine’s Best Places to Work, and Franchise Business Review's Top Franchise Cultures list, highlighting the brand's momentum, franchisee satisfaction and strong company culture. Backed by a robust development pipeline, Potbelly is entering its next phase of growth, advancing toward the brand's 500th location nationwide. As Potbelly approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, prioritizing operational simplicity, exceptional franchisee support and a focus on long-term shop profitability remain consistent across its system. For more information, please visit our website at franchising.potbelly.com.
SOURCE Potbelly Sandwich Works
Potbelly Corporation is a neighborhood sandwich concept offering toasty warm sandwiches, signature salads and other fresh menu items served by engaging people in an environment that reflects the Potbelly brand.