With document common unit volumes, a sturdy growth pipeline and accelerating franchise demand, the model expects 50 new retailers and its five hundredth opening in 2026
Chicago, IL (RestaurantNews.com) Potbelly Sandwich Works, the enduring neighborhood sandwich store, is closing out 2025 with distinctive systemwide momentum, powered by accelerated store growth, robust gross sales efficiency, and increasing nationwide demand. With 30 new retailers deliberate to open in 2025, and 387 commitments for progress, the model is coming into 2026 with its strongest new store pipeline in its historical past.
Potbelly expects to open 50 new retailers subsequent 12 months, representing 10%+ systemwide progress throughout each firm and franchise growth. This enlargement will place the model to have fun its five hundredth store in 2026, a significant milestone in Potbelly’s long-term plan to exceed 2,000 places nationwide.
Alongside its fast growth progress, Potbelly continued to ship distinctive gross sales momentum all through 2025. The model drove visitors and income on an already robust Common Unit Volumes of $1.3 million and constant year-over-year gross sales progress throughout markets. Additional, Potbelly’s funding in expertise allowed continued profitability progress. As our Potbelly Perks loyalty base units new heights, over 40% of orders at the moment are positioned digitally and thru the Potbelly Perks app. The app creates a simple means for loyal visitors to customise their order and earn cash, whereas the digital orders are processed seamlessly by kitchen groups driving throughput and profitability.
Further store efficiency highlights embody:
- File-breaking Nationwide Sandwich Day, with Perks gross sales up 50% and double the brand new loyalty sign-ups versus 2024
- Catering progress that continues to outperform expectations as one of many model’s main income drivers
- Twenty-two retailers hitting their highest weekly gross sales ever
- Introduction and fast adoption of Potbelly’s new wraps, now averaging 100 per store per week, with Portland Airport main at greater than 560 wraps per week
A big change for Potbelly was the acquisition of the model by RaceTrac, Inc., (“RaceTrac”) a family-owned, high-growth chief within the comfort retailer business, which was accomplished in October of this 12 months. For generations, Potbelly and RaceTrac have been devoted to serving nice meals, providing pleasant faces, and creating moments that make individuals’s days happier and extra gratifying. The acquisition strengthens RaceTrac’s place within the evolving retail panorama, combining each manufacturers’ capabilities in actual property, franchising, operations, meals innovation and advertising and marketing to drive progress and buyer loyalty. Potbelly’s priorities underneath its new possession stay unchanged and intently aligned with franchise homeowners: driving worthwhile store progress nationwide and delivering robust, sustainable returns. To that finish, present and new franchise homeowners signed 12 Store Improvement Space Agreements (SDAAs) representing 125 new store commitments for 2025. Moreover, roughly 70% of the model’s new store progress is with present franchise homeowners.
As curiosity from multi-unit operators grows, Potbelly continues to highlight its Massive Space Developer (LAD) incentives, designed to assist certified franchise homeowners safe unique rights throughout one of many model’s 1,500+ accessible commerce areas. These incentives, paired with Potbelly’s efficiency consistency and powerful unit economics, have contributed to a sturdy pipeline heading into the brand new 12 months.
Main this subsequent part of progress is Jennifer Durham, Potbelly’s Senior Vice President of Franchising and Improvement.
“Potbelly’s momentum is plain,” mentioned Durham. “This model has all the pieces right this moment’s franchise homeowners need, together with an distinctive $1.3 million AUV, a enterprise mannequin that’s confirmed, scalable and constructed for long-term success, and a management workforce that’s vested in every store’s success. Our growth pipeline is robust, our franchisee curiosity is rising, and I’m energized to steer the subsequent chapter of progress as we broaden Potbelly’s presence in key markets nationwide.”
Potbelly’s efficiency and model popularity continued to earn nationwide consideration all year long together with:
- Ranked #336 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500
- Ranked #137 on Franchise Instances Prime 400
- Ranked #99 on Nation’s Restaurant Information Prime 500
- Named #23 on the Prime 100 Quick Informal Movers & Shakers
- Acknowledged as one in all QSR’s Finest Manufacturers to Work For
To shut out 2025, Potbelly will host its ultimate franchise webinar, “Behind The Warmth: Wrapping Up 2025 and a Look Forward to 2026.” The session will cowl the 12 months’s main milestones, preview 2026 progress plans, and introduce potential franchise homeowners to the model’s growth alternatives.
The dwell webinar is open to all and can happen on December 17 at 4:30 p.m. Japanese Time. Registration is now accessible at:
As Potbelly strikes into 2026 with rising common unit volumes, increasing progress commitments and rising multi-unit curiosity, the model stays targeted on delivering craveable sandwiches, heat neighborhood hospitality and a high-performing franchise mannequin constructed for long-term success.
For extra details about accessible franchise alternatives with Potbelly Sandwich Works, please go to franchising.Potbelly.com.
About Potbelly:
Potbelly Company is a neighborhood sandwich idea that has been feeding clients’ smiles with heat, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and different recent menu gadgets, custom-made simply the best way clients need them, for greater than 40 years. Potbelly guarantees Contemporary, Quick & Pleasant service in an setting that displays the native neighborhood. Since opening its first store in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has expanded to neighborhoods throughout the nation – with greater than 450 retailers in america together with greater than 100 franchised retailers in america. For extra info, please go to our web site at franchising.potbelly.com.
IMPORTANT FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE: The monetary efficiency info introduced, together with common unit volumes and gross sales knowledge, represents historic efficiency and shouldn’t be thought of as possible outcomes for brand new franchisees. Particular person outcomes might range. Earlier than investing, any potential franchise proprietor should evaluation Potbelly’s Franchise Disclosure Doc. This info is just not a suggestion to promote a franchise, which might solely be made by means of supply of a Franchise Disclosure Doc in compliance with relevant legal guidelines.
Contact:
Ryann Gutierrez
Blue Engine
Ryann.Gutierrez@theblueengine.com
