Potbelly Sandwich Shop signed an agreement that will soon bring a new location to the Houston area in Tomball, Texas. Currently slated to open in late summer, the 2,000-square-foot shop will be located in Tomball Marketplace. The widely acclaimed neighborhood hangout is known for its signature sandwiches, hand-dipped milkshakes, and live, local music.
Potbelly shops have earned a reputation in communities across the U.S. for its food, fun décor, and fresh tunes. Ralph Baig, the new sandwich shop’s owner, is a Cypress, Texas native with close community connections and an extensive background in business management and operations.
“I have always dreamed of opening a Potbelly Sandwich Shop in the Houston area that the community could rally around,” Baig says. “Having worked for Potbelly for several years, I am thrilled to share the mouthwatering sandwiches and shakes with the community. I know my neighbors are going to love the new shop.”
Baig will manage the sandwich shop’s day-to-day operations including handling new staff recruitment and booking local musicians when Tomball’s “best place for lunch” opens this summer.
Tomball’s Potbelly Sandwich Shop will hire 12–15 staff members, including customer service staff and managers.
“Potbelly carefully selects the entrepreneurs and operators who franchise with us. It’s vital our brand is represented by people with a commitment to their community and proven entrepreneurial success. Baig and his team are an ideal addition to the Potbelly family,” says Rick Fossali, senior director of domestic franchising for Potbelly Sandwich Shop. “Every new sandwich shopis designed to resemble the community in which it resides. Baig has done an excellent job of developing a sandwich shop that will make Tomball residents feel right at home.”
Potbelly Sandwich Shop first opened in Chicago in 1977, and now includes more than 300 shops across the United States. There are also 20-plus franchise shops in the United States and abroad, and the company is projectingmore franchised shops to open in 2015.
