Is a Potbelly Sandwich Works franchisee required to accept credit and debit cards?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (5) purchase or lease, and install, all required fixtures, furniture, furnishings, signs, vehicles (if we require or allow you to provide delivery and catering services from your Shop), and equipment (including required computer, point-of-sale, and other electronic information systems and all equipment components and software necessary for you to accept and process our gift, loyalty and rewards cards and participate in our gift card, customer loyalty, rewards, affinity, and similar programs) (collectively, "Operating Assets"); and
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 79)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Potbelly Sandwich Works's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase or lease the equipment necessary to participate in Potbelly's gift card, customer loyalty, rewards, affinity, and similar programs. This equipment includes computer, point-of-sale, and other electronic information systems, along with all necessary components and software.
This requirement ensures that all Potbelly Sandwich Works locations can process gift, loyalty, and rewards cards, maintaining a consistent customer experience across the franchise system. By mandating specific systems, Potbelly Sandwich Works aims to standardize operations and maintain brand consistency.
While the FDD excerpt specifies the need to accept and process gift, loyalty, and rewards cards, it does not explicitly state that franchisees must accept credit or debit cards. A prospective franchisee should clarify with Potbelly Sandwich Works whether accepting credit and debit cards is mandatory or if it is optional, and if there are any specific requirements or approved systems for processing these payments.