Potbelly Announces Plans to Enter Georgia with 15-Unit Development Agreement
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) has announced its expansion into Georgia through a new multi-unit development agreement with Royal Restaurant Group. The agreement includes plans to open 15 Potbelly shops in the greater Atlanta region, with development starting in January 2026 and three shops opening annually thereafter. This follows a previous 40-shop agreement with Royal Restaurant Group from October 2023. The franchise partner currently operates four Potbelly shops and has extensive experience in the restaurant industry. This expansion aligns with Potbelly's long-term goal of reaching 2,000 shops with 85% being franchised locations.
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) ha annunciato la sua espansione in Georgia tramite un nuovo accordo di sviluppo multi-unità con Royal Restaurant Group. L'accordo prevede l'apertura di 15 negozi Potbelly nella regione metropolitana di Atlanta, con lo sviluppo che inizierà a gennaio 2026 e tre negozi che apriranno annualmente in seguito. Questo segue un precedente accordo di 40 negozi con Royal Restaurant Group risalente a ottobre 2023. Il partner in franchising attualmente gestisce quattro negozi Potbelly e vanta una vasta esperienza nel settore della ristorazione. Questa espansione è in linea con l'obiettivo a lungo termine di Potbelly di raggiungere 2.000 negozi, di cui l'85% saranno location in franchising.
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) ha anunciado su expansión en Georgia a través de un nuevo acuerdo de desarrollo multiactual con Royal Restaurant Group. El acuerdo incluye planes para abrir 15 tiendas Potbelly en la región metropolitana de Atlanta, comenzando el desarrollo en enero de 2026 y abriendo tres tiendas anualmente después de eso. Esto sigue un acuerdo anterior de 40 tiendas con Royal Restaurant Group de octubre de 2023. El socio franquiciado actualmente opera cuatro tiendas Potbelly y tiene una amplia experiencia en la industria de restaurantes. Esta expansión se alinea con el objetivo a largo plazo de Potbelly de alcanzar 2.000 tiendas, de las cuales el 85% serán ubicaciones franquiciadas.
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB)가 Royal Restaurant Group와의 새로운 다점 개발 계약을 통해 조지아로의 확장을 발표했습니다. 이 계약에는 애틀랜타 대도시 지역에 15개의 Potbelly 가게를 열 계획이 포함되어 있으며, 개발은 2026년 1월에 시작되고 그 이후로 매년 3개의 가게가 열릴 예정입니다. 이는 2023년 10월에 Royal Restaurant Group과 체결한 40개 가게 계약에 이어지는 것입니다. 프랜차이즈 파트너는 현재 4개의 Potbelly 가게를 운영하고 있으며, 식당 산업에서의 광범위한 경험을 가지고 있습니다. 이번 확장은 Potbelly의 장기 목표인 2,000개 가게의 개설과 85%가 프랜차이즈 지점이 되는 것과 일치합니다.
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) a annoncé son expansion en Géorgie grâce à un nouvel accord de développement multi-unités avec Royal Restaurant Group. L'accord comprend des plans pour ouvrir 15 magasins Potbelly dans la région métropolitaine d'Atlanta, le développement commençant en janvier 2026 et trois magasins s'ouvrant chaque année par la suite. Cela fait suite à un précédent accord de 40 magasins avec Royal Restaurant Group datant d'octobre 2023. Le partenaire de franchise exploite actuellement quatre magasins Potbelly et possède une vaste expérience dans l'industrie de la restauration. Cette expansion s'inscrit dans l'objectif à long terme de Potbelly d'atteindre 2 000 magasins, dont 85 % seront des emplacements franchisés.
Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) hat seine Expansion nach Georgia durch einen neuen Multi-Unit-Entwicklungsvertrag mit Royal Restaurant Group angekündigt. Der Vertrag umfasst Pläne zur Eröffnung von 15 Potbelly-Filialen in der Metropolregion Atlanta, wobei die Entwicklung im Januar 2026 beginnt und danach jährlich drei Filialen eröffnet werden. Dies folgt einem vorherigen Vertrag über 40 Filialen mit der Royal Restaurant Group aus Oktober 2023. Der Franchise-Partner betreibt derzeit vier Potbelly-Filialen und verfügt über umfangreiche Erfahrung in der Restaurantbranche. Diese Expansion entspricht Potbellys langfristigem Ziel, 2.000 Filialen zu erreichen, von denen 85 % Franchise-Standorte sein werden.
- Secured new 15-unit development agreement for Atlanta market expansion
- Building on existing 40-shop agreement with proven franchise partner
- Strategic expansion aligns with goal of reaching 2,000 shops
- Franchise partner has demonstrated success with existing 4 shops
- Development won't begin until January 2026
- Slow rollout pace of only 3 shops per year
Insights
This franchise expansion deal represents a significant strategic move for Potbelly, marking their first entry into the lucrative Atlanta market. The 15-unit agreement with Royal Restaurant Group is particularly noteworthy given the franchisee's proven track record and extensive industry experience, including their existing 40-shop agreement and successful operation of four current locations.
The planned development timeline of three shops per year starting January 2026 provides a measured, sustainable growth approach. Royal Restaurant Group's leadership team's previous experience managing 230+ Wendy's locations adds credibility to their execution capability. This expansion aligns with Potbelly's ambitious target of 2,000 shops with 85% franchised locations, indicating strong momentum in their Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative.
The Atlanta market entry is strategically important, offering strong demographics and a robust food service market. This deal strengthens Potbelly's Southeast presence and demonstrates their ability to attract high-caliber franchise partners.
Franchise partner Royal Restaurant Group expects to bring more than a dozen Potbelly shops to the Atlanta market over the next five years
CHICAGO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB), the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, today announced plans to open its first shops in Georgia after finalizing a multi-unit development agreement with franchise partner Royal Restaurant Group. Through the agreement, Royal Restaurant Group, a national franchise group that successfully operates restaurant locations for global brands, will bring 15 Potbelly shops to Georgia, all in the greater Atlanta region. This is Potbelly’s first development agreement in Georgia and its second with Royal Restaurant Group.
“The signing of this development agreement marks a significant step forward in the execution against our long-term plans for growth and expansion, as it marks our entrance into the Atlanta market and the great state of Georgia,” said Bob Wright, President and CEO of Potbelly. “We are so appreciative of the team at Royal Restaurant Group for their ongoing support and partnership in bringing our warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and other fresh menu items to markets in the Midwest and southern U.S.”
The commitment covers regions primarily in central and northern areas of the Atlanta market. Development is expected to begin in January 2026, with three shop openings anticipated for each year following.
This announcement builds on a separate, 40-shop agreement that Potbelly signed with Royal Restaurant Group in October 2023. The franchisee currently has four Potbelly shops in operation and a strong pipeline of sites currently in development across markets in Ohio and Florida. The co-founders of Royal Restaurant Group collectively have more than 60 years of combined experience in the restaurant, hospitality and multi-unit franchise industries. Previously the co-founders served as the CEO and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, of one of Wendy’s largest franchise organizations with more than 230 units throughout the United States.
“Our deep industry experience and focus on customer service align perfectly with Potbelly’s vision of delivering guests great food, good vibes, and an overall exceptional experience,” said Randy Pianin, Co-founder and CEO of Royal Restaurant Group. “We’ve seen successful returns with the four shops we currently operate, and we look forward to introducing Potbelly’s one-of-a-kind offerings to hungry diners in Georgia in the years ahead.”
Potbelly has a long-term goal of reaching 2,000 shops over the next several years, with at least
Potbelly is seeking additional qualified candidates for development opportunities in other areas of the Atlanta market. Franchising opportunities are also available in markets across the U.S. including parts of Florida and Tennessee, Dallas, Houston and other Texas markets, and markets in OH, VA, and PA. You can learn more about franchise opportunities with Potbelly at https://www.potbelly.com/franchising-why-potbelly.
About Potbelly
Potbelly Corporation is a neighborhood sandwich concept that has been feeding customers’ smiles with warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and other fresh menu items, customized just the way customers want them, for more than 40 years. Potbelly promises Fresh, Fast & Friendly service in an environment that reflects the local neighborhood. Since opening its first shop in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has expanded to neighborhoods across the country - with more than 425 shops in the United States including more than 80 franchised shops in the United States. For more information, please visit our website at www.potbelly.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements that might be considered forward-looking statements or predictions of future operations including with respect to the Company’s ability to successfully execute its Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management’s belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties including that it is unable to successfully execute its Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative and that the Company is not able to achieve its plans for growth and expansion. Actual events may also differ from these expectations as a result of the risks identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.
Media Contact:
ICR
PotbellyPR@icrinc.com
FAQ
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