Iconic Sandwich Brand Expands Through Traditional and Non-Traditional Development as Growth and Culture Gain Industry Acclaim 

CHICAGO – Potbelly, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, continued its strong growth trajectory during the second quarter of 2026, expanding its national footprint through new shop openings and setting the stage for the future with strategic franchise development agreements in both traditional and non-traditional segments. During the quarter, the brand also received national recognition for its continued growth, strong franchise culture and industry leadership.

“Experienced multi-unit franchisees continue to recognize the long-term opportunity we’re building,” said Jennifer Durham, Senior Vice President of Franchising and Development at Potbelly. “They’re investing in markets where our brand can serve guests throughout their daily routines and we’re supporting that growth with operational excellence, franchisee support and strategic development.”

The aforementioned pipeline expansion through fresh franchise agreements in key growth markets includes a four-shop agreement in Knoxville, Tennessee and a 10-shop agreement for the Central Florida/Orlando region. Nick, Kenny and Ronnie Patel, a family-led owner/operator group with deep experience in convenience store, foodservice and hospitality, are behind the East Tennessee franchise growth. In the Central Florida market, Mihir and Bhavesh Patel, along with their uncle BD Patel, a 30-year restaurant franchisee of Dunkin’, Quiznos and Mooyah Burgers, are leading the regional expansion. Both franchise groups are indications of the strength of the operator groups Potbelly is attracting.

New openings across Texas, North Carolina and Florida, along with a non-traditional location opening at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, also fueled Q2 momentum for the brand. The additions exemplify the brand’s flexibility to fit into a diverse set of venues, which include inline, endcap, drive-thru, travel center, hospital, convention center, university, airport, military installation and office campus.

Q2 2026 also brought significant recognition from several restaurant and franchise industry media groups, as well as a major U.S. commerce platform. Potbelly was named to Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” rankings and was listed by Franchise Business Review as a “Top Franchise Culture” brand. Additionally, Yelprecognized Potbelly on its “Fastest Growing Brands” in the United States list. Those accolades reinforce the brand’s industry-leading average unit volumes and growing development pipeline as Potbelly advances toward its milestone 500th shop nationwide.

“Our team has remained focused on supporting franchisees and our corporate-owned shops to execute at a high level as we evolve the brand in positive ways,” said Adam Noyes, President and CEO of Potbelly. “Whether it’s opening neighborhood shops in new communities, expanding our presence through non-traditional locations or earning recognition from across the industry, each accomplishment reflects the strength of our people, our franchise partners and the experience we’re creating for our guests.”

As Potbelly continues to expand nationwide, the brand remains focused on expanding with experienced franchisees, selecting markets strategically and delivering craveable food and the neighborhood hospitality guests have loved for nearly 50 years.

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

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, 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.