Potbelly Sandwich Shop is a fast casual restaurant franchise known for its warm, toasted sandwiches, hearty soups, fresh salads, hand dipped shakes, and homemade desserts. The franchise fee ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, and the brand has…
Total Investment
$654K – $1.3M
Franchise Fee
$10,000 to $40,000
Royalty Rate
6% of Shop Gross Sales
Total Units
443
Franchising Since
2017
🌻About POTBELLY Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop is a fast casual restaurant franchise known for its warm, toasted sandwiches, hearty soups, fresh salads, hand dipped shakes, and homemade desserts.
The franchise fee ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, and the brand has been franchising since 2017.
Founded in 2009, Potbelly has grown into a nationally recognized name in the fast casual sandwich segment.
💰POTBELLY Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$654K
Average Investment
$964K
Maximum Investment
$1.3M
Fee Type
Amount
Notes
Initial Franchise Fee
$10,000 to $40,000
One-time payment upon signing
Royalty Fee
6% of Shop of gross sales
Ongoing; paid monthly
Marketing/Ad Fund
3% of Gross Sales
National brand fund
Total Investment Range
$654,019 – $1,274,099
Includes build-out, inventory, working capital
The investment range of $654K–$1.3M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (6% of Shop) and marketing fee (3% of Gross Sales) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
📋Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
Item
Low
High
ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT
Type of Low Amoun
$20,000
$40,000
Franchise
Agreement
Rental of Premises
$17,400
$27,549
Architectural Fees
$13,500
$57,560
As Agreed As Incurred Third Parties
Furniture, Fixtures
$97,000
$180,085
PSW, LLC
Smallwares
$11,000
$45,000
As Agreed As Incurred Third Parties
Training Expenses
$4,000
$50,000
Professional Fees
$10,000
$20,000
Business Licenses
$795
$5,000
Office Equipment
$1,000
$5,000
Type of Low Amount High Amount Method of When Due To Whom
Expenditure Payment Pa
$10,000
$15,000
Opening Inventory
$3,698
$20,000
Additional
$100
$100,000
Estimated cost per square foot depends
on geographic location, size, local renta
$35
$60
The cost per square foot ranged between
$34
$58
had
construction costs per square foot ranging between
$100
$235
💵Additional Fees (Item 6)
Fee Type
Amount
Technology Fee
$195
🏦Financing (Item 10)
Detail
Information
Financing Available
No
Description
Franchisor does not offer financing.
📊POTBELLY Franchise Earnings — Item 19
!
POTBELLY does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
POTBELLY does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
⚖POTBELLY Litigation & Risk Flags
✓
Clean Litigation RecordPOTBELLY has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
📈POTBELLY System Growth
Total Units
443
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
443
POTBELLY currently operates 0 franchised locations and 443 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
❓POTBELLY Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a POTBELLY franchise ranges from $654,019 to $1,274,099, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $10,000 to $40,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
POTBELLY charges a royalty fee of 6% of Shop of gross sales, plus a 3% of Gross Sales contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the POTBELLY Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from POTBELLY to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
POTBELLY does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
POTBELLY has been franchising since 2017. The FDD shows an investment range of $654,019-$1,274,099, a 6% of Shop royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $10,000 to $40,000 and the total investment ranges from $654,019 to $1,274,099 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
Get free info on this franchise. We will send you a detailed FDD report by email.
Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from POTBELLY and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with POTBELLY or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com
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POTBELLY
Total Investment
$654K – $1.3M
💰 Costs & Fees
Franchise Fee$10,000 to $40,000
Royalty6% of Shop
Marketing Fee3% of Gross Sales
FinancingNot Available
🏢 System Overview
Total Units443
Franchising Since2017
Earnings Claim (Item 19)Yes
📄 Contract Terms
⚖️ Legal & Risk
Pending LitigationClean
Bankruptcy HistoryNone
Download the Full POTBELLY FDD
2024 · Public Registry Document
Free · No paywall · Instant FDD report
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