What is the definition of 'Suppliers' in the context of Potbelly Sandwich Works?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Confidential Information" – Our proprietary and confidential information relating to the development and operation of Potbelly Shops, including: (1) site selection criteria and layouts, designs and other plans and specifications for Potbelly Shops; (2) ingredients, recipes and related information concerning any food items we authorize; (3) training and operations materials and manuals; (4) methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, food preparation techniques, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge, and experience used in developing and operating Potbelly Shops; (5) marketing, promotional and advertising research and programs for Potbelly Shops; (6) identity of suppliers, and knowledge of specifications and pricing for authorized food products, materials, supplies and equipment, we authorize; (7) any computer software or similar technology which is proprietary to us or the Branded System, including, without limitation, digital passwords and identifications and any source code of, and data, reports, and other printed materials generated by, the software or similar technology; (8) knowledge of operating results and financial performance of Potbelly Shops, other than Potbelly Shops you own; (9) graphic designs and related intellectual property; (10) customer solicitation, communication and retention programs, along with data and information used or generated in connection with those programs; (11) all data and other information generated by, or used in, the operation of your Potbelly Shops, including customer names, addresses, phone numbers, pricing and other information supplied by any customer (such as credit card information or personal information), and any other information contained at any time and from time to time in the computer hardware and/or operating software (including point-of-sale equipment and software) we specify for use at your Potbelly Shops or that visitors to your Potbelly Shops (including you and your personnel) provide to the Website (defined below) for the network of Potbelly Shops; (12) future business plans relating to Potbelly Shops and the Potbelly Sandwich Shop® franchise opportunity, including expansion and development plans; and (13) any other information that we reasonably designate as confidential or proprietary.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–355)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Potbelly Sandwich Works's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the identity of suppliers is considered confidential information. Specifically, the FDD defines confidential information as including the "identity of suppliers, and knowledge of specifications and pricing for authorized food products, materials, supplies and equipment, we authorize".
This means that Potbelly Sandwich Works considers the specific companies and vendors that provide food, materials, supplies, and equipment to their shops as proprietary information. This also extends to the knowledge of the specifications and pricing related to these authorized products.
For a potential franchisee, this implies that they will not have access to this supplier information before signing the agreement. After becoming a franchisee, Potbelly Sandwich Works will provide the approved supplier list, which the franchisee must adhere to. This ensures quality control and consistency across all Potbelly Sandwich Works locations, but it also limits the franchisee's ability to negotiate prices or source their own products.