What is the dependency between the services provided by Potbelly Sandwich Works and the operations of a franchise?

According to Potbelly Sandwich Works's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise program is designed such that Potbelly Sandwich Works, in its capacity as the franchisor, provides some of the same services to franchisees that its affiliates provide to company-owned locations. However, Potbelly Sandwich Works does not provide certain services that a business owner would typically handle themselves. These include services such as financing, accounting, legal, personnel, and management.

This division of responsibilities means that the success of a Potbelly Sandwich Works franchise is partially dependent on the availability, cost, and quality of the services that the franchisee must obtain independently. If a franchisee struggles to secure affordable financing, competent accounting services, or effective management support, it could negatively impact the operations and financial performance of the Potbelly Sandwich Works shop.

Prospective franchisees should carefully consider their ability to manage these aspects of the business and factor in the costs of these services when evaluating the potential profitability of a Potbelly Sandwich Works franchise. It is essential to have a solid plan for securing these necessary services to ensure smooth and successful operations.