Potbelly Corporation Reports Results for Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Full Year 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Potbelly (NASDAQ: PBPB) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 financial results. Q4 highlights include:

- GAAP EPS of $0.15 (+67% y-y)
- Net income of $4.6M (+69% y-y)
- Adjusted EBITDA of $9.7M (+30% y-y)
- Revenue decreased 7.3% to $116.6M
- Average Weekly Sales up 1.1% to $25,230
- Same-store sales increased 0.3%

Full-year 2024 performance showed:
- Revenue declined 5.9% to $462.6M
- GAAP net income of $40.3M (including $35.3M tax benefit)
- Adjusted EBITDA increased 14.9% to $32.6M
- Same-store sales decreased 0.3%

The company opened 23 new shops in 2024 and secured 113 new franchise commitments. Total open and committed shops reached 727, an 18.8% increase over Q4 2023. The company also continued its share repurchase program, with $18.6M remaining available.

Positive

• Q4 GAAP EPS up 67% to $0.15
• Q4 Net income increased 69% to $4.6M
• Q4 Adjusted EBITDA grew 30% to $9.7M
• Secured 113 new franchise commitments in 2024
• 18.8% growth in total open and committed shops
• Full-year Adjusted EBITDA up 14.9% to $32.6M

Negative

• Q4 revenue declined 7.3% to $116.6M
• Full-year revenue decreased 5.9% to $462.6M
• Full-year same-store sales declined 0.3%
• Minimal Q4 same-store sales growth of 0.3%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Potbelly's Q4 and full-year 2024 results demonstrate strong profitability improvements despite top-line pressure. The company delivered exceptional bottom-line growth with Q4 adjusted EPS surging 550% year-over-year to $0.13 and Q4 adjusted EBITDA increasing 30% to $9.7 million. For the full year, adjusted EBITDA grew 14.9% to $32.6 million.

While total revenues declined 7.3% in Q4 and 5.9% for the full year, these decreases were primarily attributable to the extra week in fiscal 2023 and the strategic refranchising of 34 company-operated shops. The underlying business showed modest growth with Q4 same-store sales increasing 0.3% and average weekly sales rising 1.1% to $25,230.

Potbelly's franchise-focused growth strategy is gaining meaningful traction with 113 new franchise shop commitments signed in 2024 and 23 new shop openings. The company's total open and committed shop count reached 727, representing a substantial 18.8% year-over-year increase. This development pipeline positions Potbelly for accelerated unit growth with minimal capital requirements.

The substantial 550% growth in Q4 adjusted EPS signals the company's improving operational efficiency and successful execution of its five-pillar strategy. With continued focus on menu innovation, digital enhancements, unit growth, footprint modernization, and cost management, Potbelly appears well-positioned to deliver sustainable profitable growth.

Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.15 +67% y-y and Adjusted EPS of $0.13 +550% y-y

Q4 increased profitability with Net Income +69% y-y and Adjusted EBITDA +30% y-y

Q4 eight shop openings and 29 additional franchise shop commitments in the fourth quarter

CHICAGO, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB), (“Potbelly” or the “Company”) the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop concept, today reported financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and full year ended December 29, 2024 which included 13 and 52 weeks, respectively. The comparable prior-year periods in 2023 included 14 weeks in Q4 and 53 weeks for the fiscal year.

Key highlights for the quarter ended December 29, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023:

• Average Weekly Sales (AWS) increased 1.1% to $25,230 compared to $24,960.
• Company-operated same-store sales in the fourth quarter increased 0.3% compared to a 6.3% increase in the prior year.
• Total revenues decreased by $9.1 million or 7.3% to $116.6 million compared to $125.7 million, driven by the impact of the 53^rd week in 2023 and last year’s refranchising, which included the sale of 34 company shops since Q2 2023.
• GAAP net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $4.6 million compared to $2.7 million. GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.15 compared to $0.09.
• Adjusted net income¹ attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $3.9 million compared to $0.7 million. Adjusted diluted EPS¹ was $0.13 compared to $0.02.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 30.0% to $9.7 million compared to $7.5 million.

Key highlights for the year ended December 29, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023:

• Average Weekly Sales (AWS) increased 0.5% to $25,120 compared to $24,990.
• Company-operated same-store sales for the full year 2024 decreased 0.3% compared to an increase of 12.0% in the prior year.
• Total revenues decreased by $28.8 million or 5.9% to $462.6 million compared to $491.4 million, driven by the impact of the 53^rd week in 2023 and last year’s refranchising, which included the sale of 34 company shops since Q2 2023.
• GAAP net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $40.3 million compared to $5.1 million. GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.31 compared to $0.17. These increases were inclusive of a $35.3 million income tax benefit for the release of the Company’s tax valuation allowance.
• Adjusted net income¹ attributable to Potbelly Corporation was $9.2 million compared to $4.4 million. Adjusted diluted EPS¹ was $0.30 compared to $0.15.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 14.9% to $32.6 million compared to $28.3 million.

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see the accompanying financial tables below. For a discussion of why we consider them useful, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Bob Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Potbelly Corporation, commented, “We are pleased with what we have accomplished in 2024 as our team did a tremendous job executing against our five-pillar strategy. From re-igniting unit growth with 23 new shop openings and adding 115 shops to our open and committed shop total, to driving a 15% increase in Adjusted EBITDA and developing strong growth drivers with the enhancement of our perks loyalty program and significant menu innovation work, we believe we have taken yet another step toward achieving Potbelly’s long-term growth objectives. As we look ahead, we will continue to drive comp sales growth through menu innovation and investments in customer-facing digital assets, accelerate unit growth with a strong unit development pipeline and modernize our footprint, and exercise smart cost management to further improve profitability. We believe we have positioned Potbelly well for growth in 2025 and beyond.”

Financial Outlook        

The company introduces 1Q’25 and updated 2025 guidance below:

	1Q’25 Guidance
Same Store Sales % Growth	(1.5%) to (0.5%)
Adjusted EBITDA	$3.5M to $4.5M

	2025 Guidance
Same Store Sales % Growth	1.5% to 2.5%
New Unit Growth	At least 38 shops
Adjusted EBITDA	$33M to $34M

Development Update

During the fourth quarter, the Company opened eight Potbelly shops bringing the total number of new shops to 23 through the end of the fourth quarter and three additional locations so far during the first quarter of 2025.

In addition, during the fourth quarter, the Company signed franchise shop commitments for a total of 29 new Potbelly shops, bringing the total number of new franchise shop commitments signed in 2024 to 113. As of December 29, 2024, Potbelly has 727 open and committed shops representing an increase of 18.8% over the fourth quarter of 2023.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 48 thousand shares of its common stock for a total of approximately $0.5 million. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had $18.6 million available under its three-year share repurchase program authorized on May 7, 2024.

The Company may repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including using trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. The timing and total amount of common stock repurchases will depend upon business, economic and market conditions, corporate and regulatory requirements, prevailing stock prices, and other considerations.

Conference Call

A conference call and audio webcast has been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss these results. Investors, analysts, and members of the media interested in listening to the live presentation are encouraged to join a webcast of the call with accompanying presentation slides, available on the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.potbelly.com. For those that cannot join the webcast, you can participate by dialing 1-833-630-1088 in the U.S. & Canada, or 1-412-317-1817 internationally.

For those unable to participate, an audio replay will be available following the call through Thursday, March 13, 2025. To access the replay, please call 844-512-2921 (U.S. & Canada), or 412-317-6671 (International) and enter confirmation code 10195289. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

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 440 shops in the United States including more than 90 franchised shops in the United States. For more information, please visit our website at www.potbelly.com.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to these terms as used throughout this press release:

• Revenues – represents net company-operated sandwich shop sales and our franchise royalties and fees. Company-operated sandwich shop sales, net consist of food and beverage sales, net of promotional allowances and employee meals. Franchise royalties and fees consist of royalty income, franchise fee, and other fees collected from franchisees including advertising and rent.
• Company-operated same-store sales or same-store traffic – an operating measure that represents the change in year-over-year sales or entrée counts for the comparable company-operated store base open for 15 months or longer. In fiscal years that include a 53^rd week, the last week of the fourth quarter and fiscal year is excluded from the year-over-year comparisons so that the time periods are consistent. In fiscal years that follow a 53-week year, the current period sales are compared to the trailing 52-week sales to compare against the most closely comparable weeks from the prior calendar year.
• Average Weekly Sales (AWS) – an operating measure that represents the average weekly sales of all company-operated shops which reported sales during the associated time period.
• Average Unit Volume (AUV) – an operating measure that represents the average annual sales of all company-operated shops which reported sales during the associated time period.
• System-wide sales – an operating measure that represents the sum of sales generated by company-operated shops and sales generated by franchised shops, net of all promotional allowances, discounts, and employee meals. Net sales from franchised shops are not included in total revenues. Rather, revenues are limited to the royalties, fees and other income collected from franchisees.
• EBITDA – a non-GAAP measure that represents income before depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and the provision for income taxes.
• Adjusted EBITDA – a non-GAAP measure that represents income before depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense and the provision for income taxes, adjusted to eliminate the impact of other items, including certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying business performance.
• Shop-level profit (loss) – a non-GAAP measure that represents income (loss) from operations excluding franchise royalties and fees, franchise support, marketing and rent expenses, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expense, pre-opening costs, restructuring costs, loss on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities and impairment, loss on the disposal of property and equipment and shop closures.
• Shop-level profit (loss) margin – a non-GAAP measure that represents shop-level profit expressed as a percentage of net company-operated sandwich shop sales.
• Adjusted net income (loss) – a non-GAAP measure that represents net income (loss), adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring costs, impairment, loss on the disposal of property and equipment, shop closures, and other items we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance, including the income tax effects of those adjustments and the change in our income tax valuation allowance.
• Adjusted diluted EPS – a non-GAAP measure that represents adjusted net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of fully dilutive common shares outstanding.
• Shop commitments – an operating measure that represents the number of company and franchise shops that are committed to be developed. For franchise shops, a shop development area agreement (SDAA) or standalone franchise agreement represents a commitment. For company shops, a commitment is made through a good faith combination of business decision-making and capital allocation needed to develop and operate a new shop location.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Within this press release, we make reference to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted net income, shop-level profit, shop-level profit margin, and company-operated shop sales and total revenue excluding the 53rd week and refranchising which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company includes these non-GAAP financial measures because management believes they are useful to investors in that they provide for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making.

Management uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS to evaluate the Company’s performance and in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS exclude the impact of certain non-cash charges and other items that affect the comparability of results in past quarters and which we do not believe are reflective of underlying business performance. Management uses shop-level profit and shop-level profit margin as key metrics to evaluate the profitability of incremental sales at our shops, to evaluate our shop performance across periods and to evaluate our shop financial performance against our competitors. Company-operated shop sales and total revenue excluding the 53rd week and refranchising excludes the impact of one additional week for fiscal year 2023, as well as both shop sales and franchise revenue for all shops that were refranchised during 2023 and 2024. Management believes these adjustments provide better comparability of results to the prior period.

Accordingly, the Company believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, is a useful financial analysis tool that can assist investors in assessing the Company’s operating performance and underlying prospects. This analysis should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. This analysis, as well as the other information in this press release, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and footnotes contained in the documents that the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company in this press release may be different from the methods used by other companies. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the table, “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures.” Because the Company is not able to estimate the impact of specific line items, which have the potential to significantly impact, favorably or unfavorably, the Company's reported earnings in future periods, the Company is not providing a reconciliation for the 2024 guidance.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent the Company’s expectation or belief concerning future events. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “plans,” “strives,” “goal,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects” or “anticipates” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this press release may include, among others, statements relating to our (i) future financial position and results of operations, (ii) our strategies for improving profitability, (iii) 1Q’25 and full year 2025 outlook and guidance and (iv) our long-term growth objectives.

By nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by the forward-looking statement, due to reasons including, but not limited to, risks related to compliance with our Credit Agreement covenants and the future availability of credit; competition; general economic conditions; labor; demographic trends; our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; the success of our initiatives to increase sales and traffic; our shift to a more franchised business model; changes in commodity, energy and other costs; changes in consumer preferences; our ability to attract and retain qualified management and employees; the success of independent franchisees; consumer reaction to industry-related public health issues and perceptions of food safety; our ability to expand into new markets; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to grow our digital business; reputational and brand issues; security breaches; the price and availability of commodities; failure of our marketing efforts; consumer confidence and spending patterns; and weather conditions. In addition, there may be other factors of which we are presently unaware or that we currently deem immaterial that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the results referenced in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations are reasonable, we may not achieve our plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and currently available data and are neither predictions nor guarantees of future events or performance. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. See “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements” included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other risk factors described from time to time in subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other subsequent filings, all of which are available on our website at www.potbelly.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Investor Contact:
Jeff Priester
ICR
investor@potbelly.com

Media Contact:
ICR
PotbellyPR@icrinc.com

Potbelly Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations and Margin Analysis – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	For the Quarter Ended																For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024				% of Revenue				Dec 31, 2023				% of Revenue				Dec 29, 2024				% of Revenue				Dec 31, 2023				% of Revenue
Revenues
Sandwich shop sales, net	$	112,283			96.3		%		$	122,251			97.2		%		$	446,165			96.4		%		$	482,246			98.1		%
Franchise royalties, fees and rent income		4,345			3.7					3,498			2.8					16,433			3.6					9,163			1.9
Total revenues		116,628			100.0					125,749			100.0					462,598			100.0					491,409			100.0
Expenses
(Percentages stated as a percent of sandwich shop sales, net)
Sandwich shop operating expenses, excluding depreciation
Food, beverage and packaging costs		29,997			26.7					33,302			27.2					120,042			26.9					133,726			27.7
Labor and related expenses		32,412			28.9					35,188			28.8					129,252			29.0					143,744			29.8
Occupancy expenses		12,096			10.8					12,839			10.5					48,156			10.8					51,885			10.8
Other operating expenses		19,806			17.6					21,677			17.7					81,154			18.2					84,363			17.5
(Percentages stated as a percent of total revenues)
Franchise support, rent and marketing expenses		3,153			2.7					2,382			1.9					11,486			2.5					5,741			1.2
General and administrative expenses		12,958			11.1					14,938			11.9					46,968			10.2					48,496			9.9
Depreciation expense		3,406			2.9					3,236			2.6					12,669			2.7					12,138			2.5
Pre-opening costs		9			NM					1			NM					160			NM					115			NM
Loss (gain) on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities		301			0.3					(3,215	)		(2.6	)				462			NM					(2,142	)		(0.4	)
Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures		(13	)		NM					1,177			0.9					1,257			0.3					3,338			0.7
Total expenses		114,125			97.9					121,524			96.6					451,606			97.6					481,403			98.0
Income from operations		2,503			2.1					4,225			3.4					10,992			2.4					10,006			2.0
Interest expense, net		122			0.1					750			0.6					829			0.2					3,281			0.7
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			NM					—			NM					2,376			0.5					239			NM
Income before income taxes		2,381			2.0					3,475			2.8					7,787			1.7					6,486			1.3
Income tax (benefit) expense		(2,625	)		(2.3	)				723			0.6					(33,545	)		(7.3	)				909			0.2
Net income		5,006			4.3					2,752			2.2					41,332			9.0					5,577			1.1
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		392			0.3					16			NM					1,038			0.2					458			NM
Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	4,614			4.0		%		$	2,736			2.2		%		$	40,294			8.8		%		$	5,119			1.0		%
Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.15							$	0.09							$	1.35							$	0.18
Diluted	$	0.15							$	0.09							$	1.31							$	0.17
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		29,937								29,360								29,838								29,201
Diluted		30,651								30,191								30,720								30,088
____________________________
"NM" - Amount is not meaningful

Potbelly Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited (amounts in thousands, except par value data)
	Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,663			$	33,788
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $22 and $26 as of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		9,765				7,960
Inventories		3,744				3,516
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		7,882				7,828
Assets classified as held-for-sale		147				—
Total current assets	$	33,201			$	53,092
Property and equipment, net		50,533				45,087
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		133,207				144,390
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404				3,404
Goodwill		2,049				2,056
Restricted cash		815				749
Deferred tax assets		33,816				—
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		6,121				3,681
Total assets	$	263,146			$	252,460
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	9,552			$	9,927
Accrued expenses		32,872				35,377
Short-term operating lease liabilities		22,809				24,525
Current portion of long-term debt		—				1,250
Total current liabilities		65,233				71,078
Long-term debt, net of current portion		4,000				19,168
Long-term operating lease liabilities		127,929				142,050
Other long-term liabilities		8,036				6,070
Total liabilities		205,198				238,367
Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000 shares; outstanding 29,893 and 29,364 shares as of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		398				389
Warrants		1,745				2,219
Additional paid-in-capital		470,085				462,583
Treasury stock, held at cost, 10,445 and 10,077 shares as of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively		(120,338	)			(116,701	)
Accumulated deficit		(293,503	)			(333,797	)
Total stockholders’ equity		58,387				14,693
Non-controlling interest		(439	)			(600	)
Total equity		57,948				14,093
Total liabilities and equity	$	263,146			$	252,460

Potbelly Corporation Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited (amounts in thousands)
	Fiscal Year
		2024				2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	41,332			$	5,577			$	4,711
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense		12,669				12,138				11,890
Noncash lease expense		24,317				25,814				25,792
Deferred income tax		(34,091	)			—				18
Stock-based compensation expense		5,728				5,450				3,265
Asset impairment, shop closure and disposal of property and equipment		(136	)			1,058				3,651
Loss (gain) on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities		462				(2,202	)			—
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt		2,376				224				(10,191	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		234				482				270
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(1,826	)			(1,580	)			(387	)
Inventories		(269	)			177				(499	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,747	)			(3,989	)			(520	)
Accounts payable		(622	)			(1,025	)			2,239
Operating lease liabilities		(27,887	)			(30,721	)			(27,984	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(877	)			8,086				221
Net cash provided by operating activities		19,663				19,488				12,476
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(19,284	)			(17,053	)			(8,426	)
Proceeds from sales of refranchised shops		373				6,282				—
Other investing activities		(171	)			—				—
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,082	)			(10,771	)			(8,426	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under Revolving Facility		11,500				—				—
Borrowings under Term Loan		—				25,000				—
Borrowings under Former Credit Facility		—				14,600				39,050
Repayments under Revolving Facility		(7,500	)			—				—
Repayments under Term Loan		(22,827	)			—				—
Repayments under Former Credit Facility		—				(23,150	)			(40,350	)
Principal payments made for Term Loan		—				(2,838	)			—
Payment of debt issuance costs		(623	)			(2,205	)			(196	)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants		1,309				961				—
Employee taxes on certain stock-based payment arrangements		(2,229	)			(1,312	)			(813	)
Contributions from non-controlling interest		303				—				—
Distributions to non-controlling interest		(1,180	)			(854	)			(475	)
Treasury Stock repurchase		(1,393	)			—				—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(22,640	)			10,202				(2,784	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(22,059	)			18,918				1,266
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		34,537				15,619				14,353
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	12,478			$	34,537			$	15,619
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid		784				278				139
Interest paid		715				3,483				936
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unpaid liability for purchases of property and equipment		1,239				1,008				778
Unpaid liability for employee taxes on certain stock-based payment arrangements		16				13				15

Potbelly Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	For the Quarter Ended								For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023				Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023
Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation, as reported	$	4,614			$	2,736			$	40,294			$	5,119
Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures(1)		(13	)			1,177				1,257				3,338
Loss on extinguishment of debt(2)		—				—				2,376				239
Loss (gain) on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(3)		301				(3,215	)			462				(2,142	)
Legal settlements(4)		1,764				—				1,764				—
Strategic initiatives(5)		716				—				716				—
Total adjustments before income tax		2,768				(2,037	)			6,575				1,435
Income tax adjustments(6)		(3,477	)			25				(37,709	)			(2,135	)
Total adjustments after income tax		(709	)			(2,012	)			(31,134	)			(700	)
Adjusted net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	3,905			$	724			$	9,160			$	4,420
Adjusted net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share, basic	$	0.13			$	0.02			$	0.31			$	0.15
Adjusted net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share, diluted	$	0.13			$	0.02			$	0.30			$	0.15
Shares used in computing adjusted net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation per share:
Basic		29,937				29,360				29,838				29,201
Diluted		30,651				30,191				30,720				30,088

	For the Quarter Ended								For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023				Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023
Net income attributable to Potbelly Corporation, as reported	$	4,614			$	2,736			$	40,294			$	5,119
Depreciation expense		3,406				3,236				12,669				12,138
Interest expense, net		122				750				829				3,281
Income tax (benefit) expense		(2,625	)			723				(33,545	)			909
EBITDA	$	5,517			$	7,445			$	20,247			$	21,447
Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures(1)		(13	)			1,177				1,257				3,338
Stock-based compensation expense		1,400				2,042				5,728				5,449
Loss on extinguishment of debt(2)		—				—				2,376				239
Loss (gain) on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(3)		301				(3,215	)			462				(2,142	)
Legal settlements(4)		1,764				—				1,764				—
Strategic initiatives(5)		716				—				716				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	9,685			$	7,450			$	32,550			$	28,331

Potbelly Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures – Unaudited (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	For the Quarter Ended								For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023				Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023
Income from operations [A]	$	2,503			$	4,225			$	10,992			$	10,006
Income from operations margin [A÷B]		2.1	%			3.4	%			2.4	%			2.0	%
Less: Franchise royalties, fees and rent income		4,345				3,498				16,433				9,163
Franchise support, rent and marketing expenses		3,153				2,382				11,486				5,741
General and administrative expenses		12,958				14,938				46,968				48,496
Depreciation expense		3,406				3,236				12,669				12,138
Pre-opening costs		9				1				160				115
Loss (gain) on Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative activities(3)		301				(3,215	)			462				(2,142	)
Impairment, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closures(1)		(13	)			1,177				1,257				3,338
Shop-level profit [C]	$	17,972			$	19,245			$	67,561			$	68,528
Total revenues [B]	$	116,628			$	125,749			$	462,598			$	491,409
Less: Franchise royalties, fees and rent income		4,345				3,498				16,433				9,163
Sandwich shop sales, net [D]	$	112,283			$	122,251			$	446,165			$	482,246
Shop-level profit margin [C÷D]		16.0	%			15.7	%			15.1	%			14.2	%

	For the Quarter Ended						For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024			Dec 31, 2023			Dec 29, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Total revenues	$	116,628		$	125,749		$	462,598		$	491,409
Less: franchise royalties, fees and rent income		4,345			3,498			16,433			9,163
Sandwich shop sales, net	$	112,283		$	122,251		$	446,165		$	482,246
Less: sales from the 53rd week(7)		—			6,228			—			6,228
Less: sales from refranchised shops(8)		—			2,689			—			27,778
Company-operated shop sales excluding the 53rd week and refranchising	$	112,283		$	113,334		$	446,165		$	448,240
Add: franchise royalties, fees and rent income		4,345			3,498			16,433			9,163
Less: franchise revenue from the 53rd week(7)		—			127			—			127
Less: franchise revenue from refranchised shops(8)		2,157			1,625			9,014			3,130
Total revenue excluding the 53rd week and refranchising	$	114,471		$	115,080		$	453,584		$	454,146

Potbelly Corporation Selected Operating Data – Unaudited (amounts in thousands, except shop counts)
	For the Quarter Ended								For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023				Dec 29, 2024				Dec 31, 2023
Selected Operating Data
Revenue Data:
Company-operated comparable store sales		0.3	%			6.3	%		(0.3)		%			12.0	%
System-Wide Sales:
Sales from company-operated shops, net	$	112,283			$	122,251			$	446,165			$	482,246
Sales from franchise shops, net		30,321				25,238				114,330				77,443
System-wide sales	$	142,604			$	147,489			$	560,495			$	559,688

	For the Quarter Ended						For the Year to Date Ended
	Dec 29, 2024			Dec 31, 2023			Dec 29, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Company-operated shops:
Beginning of period	345			361			345			384
Openings	2			—			5			1
Shops sold to franchise	—			(13	)		(1	)		(33	)
Closures	(1	)		(3	)		(3	)		(7	)
Shops at end of period	346			345			346			345
Franchised shops:
Beginning of period	90			69			79			45
Openings	6			1			18			5
Shops sold to franchise	—			13			1			33
Closures	—			(4	)		(2	)		(4	)
Shops at end of period	96			79			96			79
System-wide shops:
Beginning of period	435			430			424			429
Openings	8			1			23			6
Closures	(1	)		(7	)		(5	)		(11	)
Shops at end of period	442			424			442			424

Potbelly Corporation
Footnotes to the Press Release, Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures & Selected Operating Data

1) This adjustment includes costs related to impairment of long-lived assets, loss on disposal of property and equipment and shop closure expenses.

2) This adjustment includes costs related to the loss recognized upon the termination of the Company’s term loan and former credit agreement for 2024 and 2023, respectively.

3) This adjustment includes costs related to our plan to grow our franchise units domestically through multi-unit shop development area agreements, which may include refranchising certain company-operated shops.

4) This adjustment relates to a loss contingency recorded for a pay disclosure claim in the state of Washington and the related legal fees.

5) This adjustment includes professional service and consulting costs related to nonrecurring strategic initiatives.

6) This adjustment includes the tax impacts of the other adjustments listed above based on the Company’s effective tax rate and the change in the Company’s income tax valuation allowance during the period.

7) This adjustment includes the shop sales and franchise revenue earned during the 53rd week of fiscal year 2023.

8) This adjustment includes the shop sales and franchise revenue for all shops that were refranchised during 2023 and 2024.

FAQ

What was Potbelly's (PBPB) Q4 2024 earnings per share?

Potbelly reported Q4 2024 GAAP EPS of $0.15, up 67% year-over-year, and Adjusted EPS of $0.13, up 550% from the previous year.

How many new stores did Potbelly (PBPB) open in 2024?

Potbelly opened 23 new shops in 2024, with 8 openings in Q4 alone, and secured 113 new franchise commitments throughout the year.

What was PBPB's same-store sales performance in Q4 2024?

Potbelly's company-operated same-store sales increased 0.3% in Q4 2024, compared to a 6.3% increase in Q4 2023.

How much revenue did Potbelly (PBPB) generate in Q4 2024?

Potbelly's Q4 2024 revenue was $116.6 million, down 7.3% from $125.7 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to refranchising and the extra week in 2023.

What is Potbelly's (PBPB) total shop count as of Q4 2024?

As of December 29, 2024, Potbelly had 727 open and committed shops, representing an 18.8% increase compared to Q4 2023.