Under what trademark does Potbelly Sandwich Works primarily operate?
Potbelly_Sandwich_Works Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchisor is Potbelly Franchising, LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). "You" means the entity to which we grant a franchise (and, if applicable, development rights). Because you will be a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, your owners must sign our "Guaranty and Assumption of Obligations." This means that all or some of our Franchise Agreement's provisions (Exhibit B) also will apply to your owners.
We are an Illinois limited liability company formed in August 2009. Our principal business address is 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60661. We operate primarily under our limited liability company name and the "Potbelly Sandwich Shop®" trademark and no other name. We have no predecessors. If we have an agent in your state for service of process, we disclose that agent in Exhibit A.
We grant franchises for Shops operating under the "Potbelly Sandwich Shop®" name and other trademarks (the "Marks"). (In this disclosure document, we call the Shops in our system "Potbelly Shops"; we use the term "Shop" to describe the Potbelly Shop you will operate.) Potbelly Shops prepare and sell sandwiches, soups, salads, shakes, desserts, and other food and beverage products (collectively, "Products"). Products are prepared according to specific recipes, standards, and procedures and use high quality ingredients, including certain proprietary items (collectively, "Potbelly Trade Secret Products") and other ingredients (not constituting Potbelly Trade Secret Products) that are branded and/or packaged exclusively for Potbelly Shops (collectively, "Potbelly Branded Products"). (Potbelly Branded Products also include non-food products that are branded and/or packaged exclusively for Potbelly Shops.)
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Potbelly Sandwich Works's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company primarily operates under the "Potbelly Sandwich Shop®" trademark. This is the main brand name that franchisees will use to identify their shops and market their products. The franchisor, Potbelly Franchising, LLC, grants franchises for shops operating under this name, as well as other trademarks, collectively referred to as the "Marks."
Prospective franchisees should understand that while Potbelly Sandwich Works may have other trademarks, the "Potbelly Sandwich Shop®" trademark is the primary one under which they will operate. This means that all branding, marketing, and shop signage will likely feature this trademark prominently. Franchisees should familiarize themselves with the guidelines and standards associated with the use of this trademark to ensure compliance with the franchise agreement.
It is also important to note that Potbelly Sandwich Works's affiliate, Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC, owns the Marks and licenses them to Potbelly Franchising, LLC. Franchisees will be required to operate their shops according to the business formats, methods, procedures, designs, layouts, standards, and specifications set by both Potbelly Franchising, LLC and Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC. This highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between the two entities and their respective roles in the franchise system.