Potbelly Sandwich Shop Serving Up Aggressive Franchising Strategy in 2019

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the Chicago-based neighborhood sandwich concept beloved for its toasty warm sandwiches, unique signature salads, and a fresh menu served up by friendly engaging people, has grown from its first shop in the Windy City into an industry player with more than 425 open shops across the United States. In 2019, the brand is gearing up for continued growth, this time through an aggressive franchising strategy in new markets.

            “Everything we do carries a commitment to quality, and our franchise expansion plan is no different. Just like we select high-quality ingredients for our menu items, we’re seeking to award franchise opportunities to experienced multi-unit franchisees who have the experience and capacity to expand our footprint and operate the best sandwich shops in America,” said Jeff Welch, Senior Vice President of Development for Potbelly. “Potbelly isn’t just a sandwich shop, it’s the neighborhood spot where the community can come together to take a break from a busy day. We are excited to reach new customers by way of our franchise expansion plan.”

The Potbelly franchise team is growing the brand through franchising, positioning it well for continued growth in 2019. In the near term, Potbelly expects to open 10 new franchise locations by the time 2019 comes to a close.

            Prospective franchisees will find the Potbelly opportunity unique and marked by a number of differentiators that set it apart from the competition. Notably, there are prime markets still available for development, mobile ordering and innovative menu options that drive sales (including three dayparts), and flexible footprint opportunities which increase options for site selection. Also unique to Potbelly is its proven success in various market sizes, enabling franchisees to invest confidently. Moreover, franchisees benefit from the buying power of a major national brand and Potbelly offers its franchise partners scalability and multiple channels of operation, such as catering.

So, how does the brand stack up to the competition? Industry analysts agree that Potbelly is on track to continue to grow, ranking highly on the industry’s most prestigious lists, including:

• #71 on Franchise 500, Entrepreneur, 2019
• Top 100 Restaurant Chains, Nation’s Restaurant News, 2018

            The proven Potbelly concept provides a great investment opportunity for experienced multi-unit groups looking to add another successful segment to their portfolio. Potbelly’s signature neighborhood, mealtime hangout atmosphere brings together great food and eclectic décor to command a loyal fan following. Potbelly is committed to providing its franchisees with the tools and resources they need to achieve the level of success they expect.

           2019 is a great time to team up with Potbelly. If you are looking to expand your portfolio of investments, “fire up the stove” today and join the Potbelly family. For more information on Potbelly franchising opportunities, visit https://www.potbelly.com/franchising or contact peter.ortiz@potbelly.com.

SPONSORED BY:
Potbelly Sandwich Works
With a 46-year track record, 1.3M+ Avg. Gross Sales* and flexible footprints, Potbelly is a perfect addition to your portfolio. *Top 25% of franchised Potbelly shops operating during 12-period timeframe in 2022. Learn More