What was the total number of Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets at the start of 2023?
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, the total number of outlets at the start of 2023 was 429. This number includes both franchised and company-owned locations. Specifically, there were 45 franchised outlets and 384 company-owned outlets at the beginning of 2023.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates the existing scale and composition of the Potbelly Sandwich Works system. It shows the relative proportion of franchised versus company-owned stores, which can provide insights into the company's overall strategy and support for franchisees. A franchisee might consider this balance when evaluating their potential investment and the level of corporate involvement they can expect.
It's also important to note the net change in outlet numbers during 2023. The total number of Potbelly Sandwich Works outlets decreased by 5 during 2023, with franchised outlets increasing by 34 and company-owned outlets decreasing by 39. This information can help a potential franchisee understand the growth trends and stability of the franchise system.