How many company-owned Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets were at the start of 2023?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
re Document, may be one source of this information.
| Outlet Type | Year | Outlets at the Start of the Year | Outlets at the End of the Year | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised | 2022 | 46 | 45 | -1 |
| 2023 | 45 | 79 | +34 | |
| 2 |
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION (FDD pages 70–78)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Potbelly Sandwich Works's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, at the start of 2023, there were 384 company-owned outlets. This number is based on the data reported as of December 31 of each year.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates the scale of Potbelly Sandwich Works's corporate operations and provides a benchmark for comparison against franchised locations. It's important to note that these company-owned outlets are owned by one or more of Potbelly Sandwich Works's affiliates, as stated in the FDD.
The number of company-owned stores can reflect Potbelly Sandwich Works's strategy regarding market penetration, brand control, and revenue generation. A significant number of company-owned stores might suggest a more hands-on approach to managing the brand and testing new strategies before implementing them across the franchise system. Franchisees may want to inquire about the performance metrics of these company-owned stores and how they contribute to the overall growth and stability of the Potbelly Sandwich Works system.
It is also worth noting the change in the number of company-owned Potbelly Sandwich Works locations. During 2023, the number of company-owned Potbelly Sandwich Works decreased by 39 locations, ending the year with 345 company-owned locations.