Potbelly

Operations

Potbelly signs deal to expand in Seattle-Tacoma market

This latest move in a series of deals will refranchise nine corporate locations and add another 13 new franchised units in Washington state.

Operations

Potbelly consumers are 'hanging in there,' says CEO

The Chicago-based sandwich chain reported same-store sales up 8%, driven by traffic. That momentum is expected to continue into Q4.

The more-than 430-unit chain is pushing both refranchising and new unit franchise growth.

Bryant Keil, who built a Chicago antique store into a chain of sandwich shops, has signed a 27-unit agreement to operate locations with his son Hampden.

And in other fast-casual highlights from investor conferences: Portillo's is killing it in the Sun Belt, and Potbelly is carrying momentum into 2Q.

The Chicago-based sandwich chain said its same-store sales and profitability will easily beat expectations this quarter.

Central business district units and catering sales have almost returned to pre-Covid levels on "traffic-driven tailwinds."

CEO Bob Wright is not quite ready to say "national rollout," but the test has improved order accuracy, speed and food quality while cutting labor costs.

Growth in catering also helped the fast-casual chain reach record average unit volumes in the third quarter.

The sandwich chain is testing new in-store technology as digital sales now represent more than a third of revenue.

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