Is the Potbelly Sandwich Works franchising entity a limited liability company?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
RIDER TO THE POTBELLY FRANCHISING, LLC FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN
West Madison Street, Suite 1000, , This Rider (the "Rider") is made and entered into as of the day of, 20 (the "Effective Date") (regardless of the dates of the parties' signatures) by and between POTBELLY FRANCHISING, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company with its principal business address at 500 Chicago, Illinois 60661 ("we," "us," or "our"), and whose principal business address is ("you" or "your"). part of the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–355)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Potbelly Franchising, LLC, the entity that grants franchises for Potbelly Sandwich Works, is an Illinois limited liability company. This is explicitly stated in several sections of the FDD, particularly in the context of agreements and legal documentation.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that the franchise agreement is with a limited liability company rather than a sole proprietorship or a corporation. This structure can offer certain legal and financial protections to the franchisor. It's a fairly common structure in the franchise industry, as it can help to separate the assets and liabilities of the franchising entity from those of its owners or parent company.
Specifically, the FDD mentions Potbelly Franchising, LLC in the context of franchise agreements, shop development area agreements, and related riders for specific states. The fact that Potbelly Franchising, LLC is identified as an Illinois limited liability company in these legal documents confirms its business structure and the legal framework under which it operates its franchising activities.