News

Potbelly lands multi-unit development deal with Vegas casino owner

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September 5, 2019

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has signed an agreement with casino owner Eric Persson to enter the Las Vegas market. Persson, who may bring up to 10 Potbelly locations to the area, is co-founder and co-owner of Maverick Gaming LLC, which owns the Wendover Nugget, Red Garter Hotel, Red Lion Casino and the Gold Country Casino all in northern Nevada. Additionally, he owns 40 stand-alone restaurants in the Las Vegas and Phoenix markets and more than 10 casinos in Washington state.

"I'm thrilled to break into the fast casual restaurant segment with a proven brand," Persson said in a company press release. "Potbelly hits the mark on exactly what I am seeking to diversify my portfolio. I'm excited to help grow the brand and bring it to a new market." 

The deal with Las Vegas comes on the heels of Potbelly nearly doubling its franchise footprint with recent multi-unit agreements totaling 38 units spanning Tampa, Florida; Modesto, Concord and Santa Clarita, California; Lake Grove, New York and the Carolinas. 

"Eric is the perfect fit to bring Potbelly to Nevada. His multi-unit group is just what we're looking for to open our franchise locations," Peter Ortiz, Potbelly VP of franchise development, said in the release. "We're excited that Eric is joining the Potbelly family just as we are accelerating our franchising initiative, and we're eager to build off this momentum in the months ahead." 

In addition, Potbelly has opened a number of franchise stores this year that are driving brand penetration across several areas of the country, including recently opened shops in Irvine, California and Odessa, Texas;