How many franchised Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets were at the start of 2022?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| 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 | |
| 2024 | 79 | 95 | +16 | |
| Column 1 Outlet Type | Column 2 Year | Column 3 Outlets at the Start of the Year | Column 4 Outlets at the End of the Year | Column 5 Net Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Company- Owned | 2022 | 397 | 384 | -13 |
| 2023 | 384 | 345 | -39 | |
| 2024 | 345 | 346 | +1 | |
| Total Outlets | 2022 | 443 | 429 | -14 |
| 2023 | 429 | 424 | -5 | |
| 2024 | 424 | 441 | +17 |
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, there were 46 franchised outlets at the start of 2022. By the end of 2022, the number of franchised locations decreased to 45, representing a net change of -1 for the year. This information is based on the data provided in Table No. 3, which summarizes the status of franchised outlets from 2022 to 2024.
For a prospective franchisee, this data indicates the initial scale of the franchised Potbelly Sandwich Works network at the beginning of 2022. The subsequent net decrease in franchised outlets during 2022 could be due to closures, terminations, or non-renewals of franchise agreements. Understanding these trends is important for potential franchisees to assess the stability and growth of the franchise system.
It's worth noting that while the number of franchised locations experienced a slight decrease in 2022, the following years, 2023 and 2024, showed significant growth with net changes of +34 and +16, respectively. This suggests a potential turnaround and expansion of the franchise network after 2022. Prospective franchisees should investigate the reasons behind the initial decrease and the subsequent growth to gain a comprehensive understanding of the franchise's performance and future prospects.
Overall, the data provides a snapshot of the franchised Potbelly Sandwich Works network's evolution over three years, highlighting the importance of analyzing both positive and negative trends when evaluating a franchise opportunity. A potential franchisee should further investigate the reasons behind these changes to make an informed decision.