Potbelly Sandwich Shop announced plans in November 2024 to open as many as fifteen locations in metro Atlanta. The company did not reveal any locations at that time but did indicate that the first location was expected to "start construction" in January 2026.
A source close to the transaction confirms a lease with Potbelly was recently executed and that the restaurant should open during the first half of 2026.
The Chamblee restaurant (5001 Peachtree Boulevard, Suite #640) and the chain's planned growth in metro Atlanta is being led by franchisee Royal Restaurant Group, a West Palm Beach-based group that currently operates more than sixty Burger King units in Florida and Georgia and seven Potbelly locations in Florida, according to its website.
Starting in 2026, Royal will open three shops each year until it reaches 15 units, according to the November 2024 press release.
The restaurant gets its name from the idea that "for years, potbelly stoves warmed homes, acting as gathering places for meals and conversation. They might be a thing of the past, but you can find the same warmth and good vibes at your local Potbelly."
Potbelly was established in Chicago in 1977 and went public in 2013 (NASDAQ: PBPB). The company currently operates about 440 locations across 30 states, plus Washington D.C. According to the November release, the company plans to have 2,000 units across the country in the years to come.
The chain entered southern markets Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Tampa, among others, before metro Atlanta, but its name has for years been mentioned as a brand locals would like to see come to town.
Illinois is the chain's largest market with more than 110 units, followed by Texas with more than 60. Nevada, Nebraska, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Dakota, and North Dakota each have single units, so there does seem to be growth potential, but hitting 2,000 is still a lofty goal. Some growth could come by way of airport locations as well as other non-traditional and drive-thru units, all segments the company has expanded upon or introduced in recent years.
Potbelly is the second popular Chicago-based restaurant brand to set its sights on Georgia in its search for growth. ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported this past December that Portillo's will open their first Atlanta area restaurant in Kennesaw with the restaurant currently expected to open later this fall. Other Atlanta area Portillo's are planned for Buford near the Mall of Georgia and Cumming near The Collection at Forsyth. A fourth location is also being proposed in Dunwoody across from Perimeter Mall.
Are you excited for the upcoming Atlanta area debut of Potbelly Sandwich Works? Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Potbelly open? Who do you think makes the best sandwich in town?
Please share your thoughts below.
4 comments:
Looking forward to Potbelly's but man, that location is cursed. It's been vacant for two+ years? Parking is a nightmare, and Taqueria del Sol is big competition. Good luck to them.
I've had Potbelly a few times. It's fine. Definitely won't go out of my way for it like I would for something like Portillo's. Maybe I'm missing something. I'm glad a place that is popular is coming to Atlanta and maybe I just haven't ordered the "right thing" from the menu. But to me, it's just another sub place. I already like Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mikes, Firehouse, and (only an ordered on the app, because those lines are slow) Publix sub. I only go to a sub place so often...
I've tried pre-ordering a Pub Sub twice and both times it was entirely ignored until I showed up. I've not used the app though, just online. Does the app tell you when it's ready?
Re: ordering online. It gives you a time. Not necessarily an accurate time!
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