Potbelly Corporation, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, announced the completion of a deal that will expand the company’s presence in the greater Seattle-Tacoma region of Washington state. As the company continues to execute its long-term growth strategy, with franchise deals underway across the U.S., this agreement will increase the total number of shops in the area to 22 in partnership with Sound Sandwich LLC, a locally based, experienced franchisee.
The agreement includes the transfer of ownership of nine existing restaurants. Additionally, the franchisee will develop 13 new units in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties over the next eight years.
“We’re thrilled to put the Potbelly experience within the reach of more people in the Seattle-Tacoma region,” says Bob Wright, President and CEO of Potbelly. “This is a market that performs well but is significantly underpenetrated right now. We see tremendous whitespace for our brand and look forward to supporting our franchisee as they open the doors to new shops in the years ahead.”
Sound Sandwich LLC is led by experienced franchisee partners, with deep knowledge and expertise owning, operating, and developing a portfolio of multi-unit, interstate operations, including hotels, travel centers, and restaurants. Their business model is centered around singular brand focus, people-centric operations, and growth informed by actionable data.
“It’s always a pleasure working with proven franchisees that share our excitement and vision for the Potbelly brand,” says Lynette McKee, Senior Vice President of Franchising at Potbelly. “We are excited about the great potential this agreement offers us, and we look forward to working closely with such a fantastic partner to continue our growth momentum in Washington state.”
As part of Potbelly’s ongoing Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative, the company has a long-term goal of reaching 2,000 shops, with at least 85% of those locations being franchised.
