Potbelly, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, announced that father-son duo, Barry and Remington Burke, are expanding their original nine-shop franchise agreement for the Greater Dallas area to now include six additional shops in East Texas. The 15 planned shops will strengthen the brand’s steady growth across Texas, which currently totals more than 60 locations.
Building on their initial focus in McKinney and Denton counties, the Burkes will broaden their footprint to include Sherman and East Texas communities such as Tyler and Longview. With a mix of bustling suburban hubs and smaller, close-knit towns, the region is experiencing rising population and commercial activity, presenting substantial potential for Potbelly to become a key part of the market’s vibrant economic landscape. The expansion into East Texas comes with a significant opportunity to secure optimal, high-visibility locations and thoughtfully position each shop to best serve its neighborhood. Their first shop is slated to open in the second half of 2026, with additional locations rolling out strategically to reinforce operational excellence and long-term success.
“From the beginning, we saw tremendous potential for Potbelly across the Greater Dallas area, and as we continued evaluating the market, it became clear that the opportunity extended even further into East Texas,” said Remington Burke. “That clear market potential, combined with the enthusiasm for Potbelly that we continued to see from residents, led us to expand our initial agreement. Communities like Sherman, Tyler and Longview have strong local identities and community spirit, making them a natural fit for the brand’s neighborhood-driven culture. Expanding our franchise agreement also allows us to be even more strategic about how and where we grow the brand, while creating go-to gathering spots where guests can enjoy toasty sandwiches and feel connected to their community.”
The Burkes will draw on decades of combined experience in multi-unit restaurant operations and community relations through their work with Wingstop and FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers. Their professional backgrounds have positioned them to assess markets strategically, drive long-term growth and cultivate high-performing teams that consistently deliver the exceptional guest experience for which Potbelly is known.
Additionally, with the expanded agreement accounting for 15 shops, the Burkes now qualify for the brand’s 50/50 Large Area Developer Incentive Program, an initiative designed to reward franchise partners committed to accelerated and intentional multi-unit growth. The program provides meaningful financial incentives to operators who commit to developing at least 15 shops within eight years and open locations ahead of their scheduled timelines, including reduced franchise fees and a reduction in royalty rates for the period a shop is opened ahead of its targeted opening date.
“We’re looking forward to growing with Barry and Remington, who both bring exceptional operational experience and a thoughtful approach to market development,” said Jennifer Durham, SVP of Franchising and Development at Potbelly. “Their commitment reflects the momentum we’re seeing across Texas and the confidence our franchise partners have in the brand’s foundation and support systems. We’re eager to see how the Burkes’ expanded footprint in East Texas will foster meaningful community engagement while allowing the brand to grow alongside these vibrant neighborhoods for years to come.”
Potbelly has been serving neighborhoods for more than 45 years, offering its signature lineup of toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, hand-dipped shakes and baked cookies in an environment designed to reflect the local community. With more than 460 shops nationwide, the brand continues to grow through strategic franchise development in high-potential markets across the country.
For more information about franchising with Potbelly, visit www.potbelly.com/franchising.
