Captain Tony's vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Captain Tony's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Investment $197,550 - $389,800$534,950 - $874,000
Franchise Fee $10,000 - $20,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 4.5% w/cap6%
Advertising Fee 2%Up to 4%
Year Founded 19721977
Year Franchised 19852009
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Captain Tony's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop 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.

Financing Options

 
Captain Tony's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
Receivables No/Yes-/Yes
Payroll No/Yes-/Yes

Training & Support

 
Captain Tony's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: up to 168 hours

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

Support Purchasing Co-ops Toll-Free Line Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 10

100% of current franchisees are owner/operators

-

Expansion Plans

 
Captain Tony's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Captain Tony's

Michael J. Martella always believed his father's pizza was the best in the world. When the elder Martella, Antonio, opened the first Captain Tony's Pizza & Pasta Emporium in 1972, everyone in the family pitched in. When Michael graduated from college and began a career as a stockbroker, the pizzas he tried as he traveled around the country just didn't measure up to his father's. Realizing they had a superior product and concept, Michael tried to convince his father to expand the company, but Antonio wasn't interested. In 1987, Michael founded Captain Tony's Inc. and began franchising the restaurant. Each Captain Tony's location serves a variety of entrre and dessert pizzas, submarine sandwiches, pastas and salads. The franchise has restaurants in Great Britain as well as the United States.

Seeking new franchisees throughout the U.S. , Asia, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe

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.