Potbelly Sandwich Shop announced today that Wilmington-based franchisees Brent and Michele Brouse are opening a location in Wilmington, North Carolina, at 2515 S. 17th St., Unit A. Officially opening to the public on Monday, July 6, the shop is located near the New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The new Potbelly location will be offering an online promotion kicking off July 6, where the first 100 customers to order via the online app will receive one free sandwich for their next visit. The shop will also have significant outdoor seating available for up to 60 guests to enjoy meals safely.
Brent and Michele Brouse’s Potbelly will bring more than 20 jobs to the area. Passionate about the community, they reside in Wilmington and together have strong professional backgrounds that suit them well for the Potbelly franchise investment. In addition to his restaurant industry experience with Lettuce Entertain You, Inc., Brent has spent several years in finance. Michele’s professional experience includes planning large-scale tradeshows and conventions.
“We’re thrilled to open our Potbelly location for our neighbors here in Wilmington to enjoy. Now more than ever, individuals in the area are looking to venture to different places and try new restaurants – safely, of course,” says Brent. “We’ve been familiar with the Potbelly brand for years, so it’s a great feeling to be able to offer our variety of delicious sandwiches, soups and more to the community. They’ll be coming back for seconds in no time!”
The Potbelly Wilmington location is part of a franchise agreement for the development of 13 new shops across North and South Carolina. The deal with Brent and Michele Brouse includes opening shops along the eastern section of the states, as well as in nearby inland markets.
“Brent and Michele are the perfect fit to bring Potbelly to Wilmington. With their deep understanding and connection to the community, I can think of no one better to introduce the brand,” adds Peter Ortiz, Vice President of Franchise Development at Potbelly. “We’re excited to see how the Brouses make Potbelly a local favorite in the coming months.”
A grand opening event is tentative for the fall, pending the CDC’s recommendations on mid-size gatherings. The Potbelly Wilmington location will follow CDC guidelines throughout its opening and will be taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of its customers and employees. Precautions include requiring employees to wear facemasks and gloves at all times (gloves to be worn at all times by drivers and curbside employees; in-store employees must wash hands and change gloves every 60 minutes while working with cash or anytime they leave their station), regular sanitation of the POS systems and phone screens, cleaning tables after each use (employees to place a note on the table so customers know when a table has been sanitized), new floor decals that show customers how to social distance in line, and plexiglass barriers at the cashier’s station and in line.
Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Times are subject to change as North Carolina reaches further stages in the reopening process. This location will also begin to offer breakfast in the coming months. Delivery and contactless curbside pickup are available through Potbelly.com or the Potbelly app. All deliveries include tamper-proof stickers to ensure safety.
