Irvine, Calif. — Potbelly Sandwich Shop opened its first shop in California on May 6, 2019. The new shop in Irvine, a franchise location, is located at the Walnut Village Center. First announced in August 2018, this is the first shop to come out of a multi-unit franchise development deal the brand signed in California.
Local resident and experienced entrepreneur Sameer Bhatia, the franchise owner, will bring three more locations to the area, with considerations for shops in Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest or Mission Viejo during the next 3 years. Likewise, Potbelly continues to prioritize franchise growth throughout Southern California, the East Bay and Central Valley regions.
“It’s such a great moment to be opening in Irvine and for this to be the first of more to come in Southern California and beyond in the state,” says Bhatia. “It is an honor to bring our tasty sandwiches, salads, shakes and cookies to our community — everyone is in for a real treat! As we continue to develop Potbelly shops throughout the area, I’m confident we will grow our devoted fan base who crave our sandwiches and good vibes.”
“Sameer is the perfect fit to spearhead the brand’s growth into California — his passion for what makes Potbelly unique and his commitment to providing a great customer experience is truly inspiring,” says Jeff Welch, senior vice president of development for Potbelly. “We’re excited for Sameer’s first location to open and are confident the shop will quickly become a local favorite.”
Currently, there are more than 450 corporate and franchise Potbelly shops in the United States. The brand is continuing franchise growth in 2019 and is seeking experienced multi-unit operators who have the drive to grow a great business opportunity.
Potbelly Corporation is a neighborhood sandwich concept with warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes, amazing cookies and other fresh menu items. Since opening its first shop in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has expanded to neighborhoods all over the U.S. — with more than 450 shops. For more information, visit www.Potbelly.com.
To read Retail & Restaurant Facility Business magazine’s cover story on Potbelly, click here.
SOURCE: Potbelly Corporation