Consulting Industry CEO Signs Five-Shop Potbelly Development Deal in Phoenix

March 17, 2026 // Franchising.com // SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Potbelly has signed a five-shop franchise development agreement in the Phoenix metropolitan area with Scottsdale-based entrepreneur and consulting industry CEO Andrew Walker. The agreement marks a significant step in the brand’s continued Southwest expansion and will bring new Potbelly shops to Scottsdale, Mesa and surrounding communities.

Walker will operate the locations through Happy Mountain Eats LLC, his Scottsdale-based restaurant development company. He plans to open the first shop in 2027 and is currently working with local real estate partners to secure high-visibility locations throughout the territory.

While the initial agreement includes five shops, Walker is approaching development with a disciplined, long-term strategy and sees additional growth opportunities across the rapidly expanding Phoenix market. There are currently 11 Potbelly shops operating in Arizona.

A seasoned operator and CEO with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling high-growth, technology-enabled services companies, Walker brings deep operational expertise and a people-first leadership style to his Potbelly franchise venture. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside global enterprises and private equity-backed firms, serving on founding leadership teams and as CEO while leading organizations through periods of rapid growth, operational transformation and cultural development.

Applying that experience, Walker is taking an operator-investor approach to his Potbelly venture, combining disciplined site selection, strong local partnerships and a focus on unit-level economics to build a scalable multi-shop platform.

“As someone who has spent my career building and scaling businesses, I was drawn to the opportunity to grow a brand with such a strong foundation and loyal following,” said Walker. “Potbelly combines strong unit economics, a differentiated guest experience and a culture built around community. That combination creates a compelling opportunity to scale thoughtfully in high-growth markets like Phoenix. I’m excited to build a strong team, create an engaging culture and make each of our shops a true neighborhood gathering place.”

Walker also plans to become actively involved in the Scottsdale and Phoenix business communities, supporting local organizations and building relationships that strengthen each shop’s connection to its surrounding neighborhood.

“Andrew embodies the kind of growth-minded, community-focused entrepreneur we’re proud to welcome into the Potbelly franchise family,” said Jennifer Durham, SVP of Franchising and Development at Potbelly. “His extensive leadership experience and operational mindset align well with what it takes to successfully grow the brand in Phoenix.”

SOURCE Potbelly Sandwich Works

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