Leading Franchise Industry Media and Conference Company Presents Potbelly Franchisee with Highly Regarded Award

CHICAGO – Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, announced today that multi-unit franchise owner Shak Patel was recently named a “Most Valuable Performer” (MVP) at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC). Presented by Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine, a publication of Franchise Update Media, which also hosts MUFC, the MVP awards honor franchisee excellence. Judges review MVP nominees based on performance, exceptional leadership, operational excellence and community engagement across their portfolios.

Selected from a highly competitive group of nominees, Patel was entered into and won his MVP honors in the Noble Cause Award category. This honor recognizes Patel’s unwavering support for those in need and highlights his commitment to giving back and making a meaningful impact beyond the four walls of his shops.

Owner and operator of six Potbelly locations across North Carolina under his ownership group, Breaking Bread LLC, Patel has built a reputation as a people-first operator with a deep passion for the brand and the communities he serves. With nearly 20 years of experience in franchising, his journey began in hospitality at just 18 years old and has since evolved into multi-unit ownership defined by strong team culture, consistent growth and meaningful local impact. The Potbelly corporate team, along with his shop team members, cherish Patel’s hands-on leadership style, focus on employee development and ongoing charitable efforts, including meal donations, youth sports sponsorships and volunteer work with local organizations. In addition, Patel has led volunteer efforts with organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, where he and his team have helped pack thousands of meals for families in need. He also prioritizes engaging all of his restaurant teams in community initiatives, rotating participation across locations to ensure employees experience firsthand the impact of giving back.

“As a leader, my goal has always been to put others first, whether that’s my team or our guests,” said Patel, to whom Potbelly also recently presented with the “Potbelly Way Award” at the Potbelly System Summit, recognizing his leadership and community engagement. “If we can deliver a great product while making someone smile or feel valued, that’s a win. I truly believe that when you invest in people and push them to achieve more in and out of the workplace, success naturally follows.”

After stepping away from working within his family’s franchise business, Patel forged his own path, gaining experience with Salsarita’s, where he rose through the ranks to oversee more than 25 locations across the East Coast. In 2017, he parlayed his experience into franchising with Potbelly, steadily expanding his footprint in the Charlotte market and recently taking on two non-traditional locations on Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Looking ahead, Patel aims to expand his portfolio to 10 restaurants in the coming years, with a long-term vision of continuing within the communities he serves.

Patel is known for fostering a culture of accountability and growth within his restaurants, often mentoring team members beyond the workplace. His Noble Cause recognition reflects a deeply rooted commitment to service, and his approach has led to strong retention, a loyal core team and a business environment where employees are motivated to succeed.

“Shak represents the best of our franchise community,” said Jennifer Durham, Senior Vice President of Franchising and Development for Potbelly. “His devotion to the brand and to developing his team, while also making a difference in his community, rightfully set him apart. He leads with integrity, and we are incredibly proud to see him recognized with this honor.”

Potbelly has been serving neighborhoods for nearly fifty years, offering its signature lineup of toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, hand-dipped shakes and baked cookies in an environment designed to reflect the local community. With nearly 470 shops nationwide and plans to cross the 500-shop threshold in 2026, the brand continues to expand through both company and franchise development in high-potential markets across the country.

For more information about franchising with Potbelly, visit www.potbelly.com/franchising.

About Potbelly

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, impressive average unit volumes and shop profitability consistently place the brand among the top-performing sandwich concepts in the fast casual sector of the restaurant industry. Additionally, QSR magazine named Potbelly to its “Best Places to Work in 2025” ranking, earning the spot because of the people-first culture that envelops the company. Backed by a robust development pipeline, Potbelly is entering its next phase of growth with plans to open 50 new shops in 2026 and advance 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.

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