Franchising

Potbelly bellies up to Central Orlando

Provided

November 3, 2022

Potbelly Corp. is opening six restaurants over the next seven years in Orlando via a multi-unit development deal with Shari Nasir and Imran Malik of Sugarland Investment Group LLC.

"This deal serves as another important milestone as we progress against our Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative," Potbelly President and CEO Bob Wright said in a company press release.

As part of the Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative announced in March 2022, Potbelly plans to reach 2,000 units with at least 85% of those being franchised shops over the next 10 years. The brand also plans to refranchise nearly 25% of its corporate shops.

Sugarland will hire an operations partner to lead day-to-day shop management and is in the final stages of the selection process, said Nasir, who has experience in multi-family housing developments in Orlando.

"We are longtime fans and supporters of Potbelly, and we look forward to playing an active role in its growth and expansion across the U.S.," she said in the release. "We are truly passionate about the brand, its high quality and delicious food and are extremely excited to bring Potbelly into our backyard."

Since opening its first shop in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has expanded to 400 company-owned shops in the United States. Additionally, its franchisees operate over 40 shops.