What was the net change in the number of company-owned Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets in 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' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the net change in the number of company-owned outlets in 2022 was a decrease of 13. Specifically, Potbelly Sandwich Works started 2022 with 397 company-owned outlets and ended the year with 384 company-owned outlets. This represents a reduction in the company-owned store count.
For a prospective franchisee, this information provides insight into the operational strategy of Potbelly Sandwich Works. A decrease in company-owned stores could signal a strategic shift towards more franchised locations or could be due to closures or sales of company-owned stores to franchisees. Understanding the reasons behind this net change is crucial for assessing the overall health and direction of the franchise system.
It's important to note that while the number of company-owned stores decreased, the number of franchised outlets experienced a slight decrease as well, going from 46 to 45 during 2022. The total number of Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets also decreased from 443 to 429 in 2022. This broader context helps in understanding whether the decrease in company-owned stores is part of a larger trend within the franchise system or if it is an isolated event. A prospective franchisee should investigate the reasons for these changes to better evaluate the stability and growth potential of the franchise.