Popular Chicago-based sandwich chain making plans to enter Jacksonville market

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Over the last 15 years, a number of national sandwich shops have come to Northeast Florida, elbowing into the hometown market of Firehouse Subs and Larry’s Giant Subs as well as sub shop behemoth Subway.

They include Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs (2010) and Jersey Mike’s Subs (2012), and more recently, Jon Smith Subs (2023) and Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop (2023). Which Wich Superior Sandwiches made its debut in 2012 only to close a few years later.

Now a new player is set to enter the market: Potbelly Sandwich Shop .

Known for its toasty sandwiches and hand-scooped shakes, the popular Chicago-based chain with more than 425 locations across 33 states has signed a development agreement to bring seven restaurants to the Jacksonville area in the coming years, the company said in a news release on Monday.

No locations have been identified, but the franchisee has.

Patrick Prendergast, who got his start with Potbelly while in high school in Chicago, will develop the restaurants, the company said.

Potbelly’s first of just three Florida locations opened in Tampa in June 2021. A second Tampa restaurant opened in June 2022, and Orlando welcomed its first Potbelly earlier this year, according to state licensing records. Dozens more are planned in Florida, including Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Broward County, Gainesville and Panama City, the company announced in August 2023, Nation’s Restaurant News reported .

Founded in an antique shop in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1977, Potbelly — which describes itself as “a first-class dive” — takes its name from the potbelly stove, a symbol of “warmth and good vibes,” according to the company’s website.

Its menu features a lineup of hearty sandwiches made with quality ingredients, salads and sides, including macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, and soups broccoli cheddar, garden vegetable and loaded baked potato.

Among Potbelly’s signature sandwiches , available in three sizes and customizable, are:

• A Wreck: Turkey breast, hickory smoked ham, Angus roast beef, salami and Swiss
• Italian: Salami, old-world capicola, pepperoni, mortadella and provolone
• Mama’s Meatball: Homestyle beef and pork meatballs smothered in marinara sauce, provolone and Italian seasoning
• Steakhouse Beef: Angus roast beef, crumbled blue cheese, provolone and horseradish aioli
• Mediterranean: All-natural grilled chicken, feta, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, cucumbers and Potbelly’s signature hot pepper hummus
• Pizza Melt: Pepperoni, old-world capicola, crumbled meatball, smothered in marinara sauce, provolone, Italian seasoning and mushrooms (where available)
• PB&J: Creamy peanut butter and grape jelly

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For breakfast, available until 10 a.m., Potbelly offers Bacon Egg & Cheddar, Sausage Egg & Cheddar and Ham Mushroom Egg & Swiss sandwiches.

And for your sweet tooth, there’s a selection of cookies baked fresh daily and hand-dipped shakes, including limited-time offer Cinnamon Churro, Oreo Cookie and more.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Popular Chicago-based sandwich chain making plans to enter Jacksonville market