Franchising

Potbelly invades Pentagon

Photo: Potbelly

July 12, 2024

Potbelly Corp. has opened its first location at the Pentagon, deepening its presence on military installations and Department of Defense facilities. In addition to the Pentagon, Potbelly is continuing to execute its previously announced plans to develop three restaurants at Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

"We are honored to open our new Potbelly shop at the Pentagon," Bob Wright, president and CEO of Potbelly, said in a company press release. "We are proud to bring Potbelly to the brave men and women who serve our country, and we look forward to offering them a convenient opportunity to enjoy all of the fresh and delicious food Potbelly is known for — from oven-toasted sandwiches and signature salads, to hand-dipped shakes and fresh-baked cookies. Looking ahead, we are excited by the opportunities to develop more Potbelly shops on military installations moving forward and to connect and give back to members of the military community and their families."

Franchisee Shakti Patel, who operates multiple shops along the East Coast, will own and operate all three restaurants. Potbelly is partnering with the Navy Exchange Service Command and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to open the Pentagon and Fort Liberty shops.

"I am proud to partner with Potbelly and open the brand's first shops on a military base at Fort Liberty," Patel said in the release. "I've worked with the Potbelly team for several years now, and I am continually impressed with the level of support they provide to franchisee partners like myself, to ensure we can operate efficiently and have access to tools that allow us to create a consistent, positive experience for every customer. I look forward to opening the doors to two more shops on the base in the months ahead."

Potbelly, which has over 400 locations, plans to open 2,000 shops in the U.S.