Potbelly Sandwich Shop vs Vitality Bowls Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Potbelly Sandwich Shop vs Vitality Bowls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Investment $534,950 - $874,000$170,100 - $604,000
Franchise Fee $40,000$39,500
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee Up to 4%1.5%
Year Founded 19772011
Year Franchised 20092014
Term Of Agreement -7 years
Term Of Agreement -7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Experience Potbelly is looking for "Potbelly People" to become franchisees. That means people that love working with a team, have solid business experience (not necessarily in restaurants), the financial qualifications, possess personal motivation and have been successful. Our franchise owner/operator model is a two person team. Whether a family partnership or a business partnership we are looking for an operating team that wants to be owners of the neighborhood sandwich shop within their community.

Franchisee Profile

*Passionate about VITALITY BOWLS *Passionate about healthy food and a healthy lifestyle *Local market knowledge *Minimum $30-60K liquid assets per store and total of $200k+ (May include lending) *Single store and multi unit development opportunities available, depending on your market *Retail or restaurant operations experience is helpful


Financing Options

 
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/Yes-/-
Payroll -/Yes-/-

Training & Support

 
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Training

All new franchisees participate in a 10-12 week training program. This consists of real life experience in one of our company-owned training shops. In addition, we will train your key holding employees for 6 weeks at one of our company-owned training shops. Once completed, franchisees receive regular updates to their training along with our company-owned stores, including regular on site reviews. On-The-Job Training: 355 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours

VITALITY BOWLS operates training units in Walnut Creek, CA. We will do our best to schedule your training in an area that is convenient for you. Training will also take place at your location before and/or after you open.

Our training program teaches you the day-to-day operation of your VITALITY BOWLS unit. VITALITY BOWLS requires that the franchisee, an operating partner, or a general manager, designated by the franchisee, attend our full-time, training program. This program will teach you how to fully operate your VITALITY BOWLS unit from the ground up. We will not let you open until we are satisfied we have provided you with sufficient training to be successful.

Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform

After signing your franchise agreement, we are available for continuous, direct support. You can count on us for operational input and best practices information. In addition, we will visit you regularly to ensure you are maximizing the potential of your business and we are helping you in every way we can.

On a continuing basis, we will drive the brand and support your efforts in marketing, real estate and development, supply chain, and IT. Should you have questions or need help with issues in these areas, you can call us.

Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
Operations --

Expansion Plans

 
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Potbelly Sandwich Shop

From its humble beginnings as a small antique store on Chicago's North Side, Potbelly has grown from one to more than 200 shops serving neighborhoods in 12 states. Potbelly's unique experience is defined by its combination of toasty warm sandwiches, hand-dipped shakes, tasty made-to-order salads, live local music, as well as friendly and lively people. Potbelly has built a passionate, loyal following of fans that spread the word about the fun, energetic atmosphere and great food.

#131 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

About Vitality Bowls

Roy and Tara Gilad, a pair of successful business owners, founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California. The duo started the superfood cafe concept together as a result of discovering their daughter's severe food allergies and wanting to find healthy food alternatives. Since franchising began in 2014, the brand has seen significant growth with nearly 40 cafes open and in development. Today, Vitality Bowls is redefining the fast casual healthy food restaurant sector every day at each of its locations across the country. Tailored to owners and operators that place value in the nation's nutritious food movement, the franchise model provides structure and scalability. Many of the current franchisees began as loyal customers who wanted to be a part of the future of food chains. Franchisees can open up to three stores in a protected territory. If you are passionate about a healthy lifestyle and want operate a thriving business, VITALITY BOWLS might be the right choice for you. We look for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who takes a hands-on approach to managing their business in addition to supporting their local community. If you are ready for an exciting new experience, owning a VITALITY BOWLS franchise may be in your future.

Vitality Bowls area developers acquire the right to develop multiple Vitality Bowls Restaurants in a designated development area. The development fee is $39,500 for the first Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement, plus $29,500 for the second Restaurant, and $20,000 for each subsequent Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement. To develop five outlets as an Area Developer, the development fees would total $129,000. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Vitality Bowls area developer business will depend on the number of Vitality Bowls Restaurants to be opened. A minimum of three outlets must be developed according to the Area Development Agreement.

The estimated total investment necessary to begin operations for a Vitality Bowls Restaurant ranges from $170,100 and $604,000. This includes between $20,000 and $39,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

#185 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.