Potbelly

Financing

Potbelly has apparently started the year off more strongly than expected

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

Operations

Potbelly puts pandemic in rearview mirror

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.

The Bottom Line: Nierenberg Investment Management Company gushed about moves the sandwich chain is making, but wants company insiders to buy more stock.

The 443-unit fast-casual sandwich chain said it intends to grow to 2,000 locations in the next decade and become a largely franchised operation.

The fast-casual sandwich shop, which started 45 years ago in a Chicago antique store, wants to become a majority-franchised chain.

The fast-casual sandwich chain is rolling out a new menu little more than two years after its last menu revamp. It is also scrapping a new store design that didn’t achieve its goals.

David Daniels will lead the branding, marketing and digital teams at the fast-casual sandwich chain.

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