Potbelly Franchisee Jignesh Patel Named a 2026 IFA Franchisee of the Year

September 24, 2026 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – Potbelly announced today that the International Franchise Association (IFA) named franchisee Jignesh Patel a 2026 Franchisee of the Year, recognizing his entrepreneurial leadership and commitment to the brand.

Jignesh will be honored during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16. Nominated by their respective brands, IFA Franchisee of the Year recipients represent leading franchise owners from across the country who demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development and service to others.

Since joining Potbelly, Jignesh has established himself as a growth-minded operator, pairing ambitious development with strong operations and a people-first mindset. Together with fellow franchisee Nitin Patel, he grew an original six-shop development commitment to 15 locations across the Austin market after becoming one of the first franchisees to participate in the Potbelly 50/50 Large Area Developer Incentive Program. The pair currently operates three Austin-area shops, with a fourth opening soon. Beyond development, community outreach is central to Jignesh’s approach to ownership, from creating welcoming neighborhood gathering places to providing employees with opportunities to grow into leadership roles. As their business continues to scale, he remains focused on investing in experienced leadership, strong teams and the infrastructure needed to support long-term success.

“Jignesh embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to people that define a great Potbelly franchisee,” said Jennifer Durham, Senior Vice President of Franchising and Development at Potbelly. “He has approached growth thoughtfully, building strong teams and investing in the communities his shops serve while remaining focused on delivering a great neighborhood experience. We’re incredibly proud to see his leadership recognized by IFA.”

For Jignesh, the recognition reflects the people behind the growth and his commitment to creating Potbelly shops that become meaningful parts of their neighborhoods.

“Being named an IFA Franchisee of the Year is an incredible honor and a reflection of the team that has helped us build and grow,” said Jignesh. “We see tremendous opportunity ahead with Potbelly, but our focus has always been on growing the right way, investing in our people, delivering great food and good vibes and building shops that become part of the communities we serve.”

As Potbelly grows nationwide, the brand remains focused on awarding franchises to experienced franchisees, entering markets strategically and delivering the craveable food and neighborhood hospitality guests have loved for nearly 50 years.

SOURCE Potbelly Sandwich Works

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