Potbelly Sandwich Shop

PBPB · EST. 1977 · Chicago, Illinois

+ CompareFranchise requirements
US UNITS8742025 record · QSR Pro estimates
GLOBAL UNITS8742025 record · QSR Pro estimates
FRANCHISED %90%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates
FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Primary-source review pending

01Our Coverage

Latest

Private Equity's 2026 QSR Playbook: How Buyout Firms Are Reshaping Franchise Ownership

From Blackstone's $8 billion Jersey Mike's deal to a private equity consortium taking Denny's private for $620 million, 2025 was a banner year for restaurant M&A. Here's what the dealmaking tells us about where franchise ownership is headed.

Mar 24, 2026

02About the Brand

Toasty warm sandwiches, salads, soups, and shakes

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019
QSR Pro estimates
2020
QSR Pro estimates
2021
QSR Pro estimates
2022
QSR Pro estimates
2023
QSR Pro estimates
2024
QSR Pro estimates
2025
QSR Pro estimates
QSR Pro Advisory

Evaluating a Potbelly Sandwich Shop franchise?

Our advisory desk models unit economics, territory, and FDD terms before you sign anything.

Talk to Advisory