Potbelly Corporation announced the appointment of Larry Strain as its Chief Development Officer, effective immediately. Potbelly is contracting with Restaurant Development Experts, LLC in connection with Strain’s engagement for this role and Bob Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Potbelly, will have oversight responsibility for him in this leadership position. Strain will oversee four key areas of shop development including Corporate Development Services, Franchise Sales & Development, Brokerage Services & Tenant Representation, and Strategic & Trade Area Level Market Planning.

Wright says, “The addition of Larry and his wealth of experience in real estate and franchise development is critical in advancing Potbelly to our next phase of growth. Larry is a highly regarded retail development and business strategist with the necessary background to advance Potbelly in the next stage of our ‘Traffic-Driven’ Profitability Strategic Plan. I could not be more excited to welcome him to our executive team.”

Strain adds, “I am thrilled to join the Potbelly family and participate in its pivot to longer-term sustainable growth. I look forward to partnering with Potbelly’s hardworking franchisees and over 6,000 Potbelly associates. I am highly confident in my ability to leverage my experience and look forward to contributing to Potbelly’s future success.”

Strain is a Founding Partner of RDE, LLC and creator of a revolutionary market intelligence platform that provides retailers with customized growth and optimization plans. Prior to RDE, he was the CDO for INQUE and Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Store Development for Global Partners, LP. Previously, Strain held real estate and store development roles with McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Brands and Starbucks.

Strain holds a CCIM designation from the CCIM Institute.