A popular Chicago-based sandwich chain will soon arrive in the Southeast as Potbelly Sandwich Works expands its brand and views Greenvill e as a priority and possible first storefront in South Carolina.
According to Lynette McKee, senior vice president of franchising at Potbelly, other initial target areas include Spartanburg, Columbia, Charleston, and Asheville, North Carolina.
While no confirmed date has been announced for a Greenville or South Carolina location, Potbelly's has opened at least 10 locations in North Carolina over the past 10 years and sees their ideal customer base in the Palmetto State.
With storefronts in 30 states across America, South Carolina has become a prime focus for new franchises.
"It's a much easier area to grow in," said McKee, who noted development opportunities, overall operational costs and the quality of people available to employ as critical contributors to potentially opening in South Carolina. "Greenville is a priority target market... over the next several weeks in the Southeast, we will be working with different groups to find potential franchisees."
The recent success of their 10 locations in North Carolina since 2017 and McKee's familiarity with the area make it almost certain that the midwestern-based toasted sandwich chain will soon open in South Carolina.
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Why Greenville, and why the Southeast
McKee admitted that the Southeast had not been a focus for the company over the past 30 years. Still, after Potbelly CEO Robert Wright launched the companywide initiative for franchise growth in 2022, their efforts expanded well into the Sun Belt.
In 2023, Potbelly began to notice where its short-term customer base was located and noted both North and South Carolina as having the ideal demographic to target. Their customer base comprises individuals familiar with the Potbelly brand and includes a specific age group, population, and more.
McKee is also familiar with Greenville. She regularly visits the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament and previously lived in Spartanburg.
"In Greenville, there's so many areas where we could be, I can think of three or four locations; same for Spartanburg. I know there is a really great opportunity for several shops," she added. "Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, and Columbia are going to be attractive areas in South Carolina."
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What is Potbelly Sandwich Works, and what should you eat?
Potbelly Sandwich Works is a hot sandwich restaurant specializing in using its 500-degree ovens to make quality, fresh, custom-made handheld treats. Known primarily for its sandwiches and hot pepper sandwiches, Potbelly offers shakes, cookies, and specialty desserts around Valentine's Day, such as a banana pudding shake and red velvet cookie.
Designed as a place for everyone to eat, it also offers soups, salads, vegetarian options, mac and cheese, and a menu specifically designed for children.
Potbelly does not use fryers, only a toaster oven, and offers breakfast sandwich options at specific locations.
For more information, visit www.potbelly.com.
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription .
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Chicago-based sandwich chain eyes South Carolina, sees Greenville as priority, what to know
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