Who does Potbelly Sandwich Works train?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
After you sign the Franchise Agreement, we will train the Managing Owner . Our training program is scheduled to be approximately 6 weeks, and the Managing Owner must also attend a 4 day owner training course at a designated training Potbelly Shop. Training must occur before your
Shop opens. Training focuses on our philosophy, System Standards, and the material aspects of operating a Potbelly Shop, excluding aspects relating to labor relations and employment practices. These training programs are held at a certified training location and/or designated training Potbelly Shop we designate.
Required training attendees must complete to our satisfaction the full training program for their respective roles and pass applicable operations and proficiency tests. You must pay all travel and living expenses, wages, and workers' compensation insurance costs your attendees incur during training. If we determine that the Managing Owner cannot complete initial training to our satisfaction (and he or she, or a replacement, cannot complete a repeat training program to our satisfaction), we may terminate the Franchise Agreement. (Franchise Agreement - Section 4.A.) After the initial training, your Shop always must have on staff a trained General Manager so that the quality of the products and the Potbelly brand is maintained. If a trained General Manager leaves your employment for any reason, you must appoint and begin training a replacement General Manager within 30 days.
The Managing Owner may request additional or repeat training at the end of the initial training program if he or she does not feel sufficiently trained to operate a Potbelly Shop. We and you will jointly determine the duration of any additional training, which is subject to our personnel's availability. You must pay our then-current charges for additional or repeat training.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Potbelly Sandwich Works' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, after signing the Franchise Agreement, Potbelly Sandwich Works will train the Managing Owner. The training program is scheduled for approximately 6 weeks, and the Managing Owner must also attend a 4-day owner training course at a designated Potbelly Sandwich Works training shop. Training must occur before the shop opens and focuses on the Potbelly Sandwich Works' philosophy, system standards, and the material aspects of operating a Potbelly Sandwich Works shop, excluding aspects relating to labor relations and employment practices. These training programs are held at a certified training location and/or designated training Potbelly Sandwich Works shop.
Potbelly Sandwich Works also requires that required training attendees must complete the full training program for their respective roles and pass applicable operations and proficiency tests. The franchisee must pay for all travel and living expenses, wages, and workers' compensation insurance costs for their attendees during training. If Potbelly Sandwich Works determines that the Managing Owner cannot complete initial training to their satisfaction, and a replacement cannot complete a repeat training program to their satisfaction, Potbelly Sandwich Works may terminate the Franchise Agreement.
After the initial training, the Potbelly Sandwich Works shop must always have a trained General Manager on staff to maintain the quality of the products and the Potbelly Sandwich Works brand. If a trained General Manager leaves employment, the franchisee must appoint and begin training a replacement General Manager within 30 days. All shop employees in customer contact positions must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language fluently to pass the portions of the training program and communicate clearly with customers and other third parties.