What was the total number of Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets 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' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the total number of outlets at the start of 2022 was 443. This number includes both franchised and company-owned locations. Specifically, there were 46 franchised outlets and 397 company-owned outlets at the beginning of 2022.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates the overall scale of Potbelly Sandwich Works' operations at that time. It's important to note that the total number of outlets decreased during 2022, ending the year with 429 locations. This net change of -14 suggests that more locations closed than opened during that year.
Understanding the historical trends in outlet numbers can be valuable for potential franchisees. While 2022 saw a net decrease, subsequent years may have shown different patterns. Reviewing these figures over multiple years provides a more comprehensive view of the franchise's growth and stability. This data helps in assessing the brand's performance and potential risks or opportunities associated with investing in a Potbelly Sandwich Works franchise.