Subway vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Subway Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Investment $139,550 - $342,400$534,950 - $874,000
Franchise Fee $15,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 8%6%
Advertising Fee 4.5%Up to 4%
Year Founded 19651977
Year Franchised 19742009
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee none-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Subway Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Experience
  • General business 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

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

    Training & Support

     
    Subway Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 33 hours Classroom Training: 62 hours Additional Training: Training available in Australia, China, Germany, India, Montreal, Canada & Miami

    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 Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8-12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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    Expansion Plans

     
    Subway Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Subway

    In 1965, 17-year-old Fred DeLuca and family companion Peter Buck opened Pete's Super Submarines in Bridgeport, Connecticut. With a credit from Buck for just $1,000, DeLuca trusted the modest sandwich shop would procure enough to put him through school. In the wake of battling through the initial couple of years, the organizers changed the organization's name to Subway and started diversifying in 1974. Offering a new, solid contrasting option to fast-food eateries, Subway has establishments all through the United States and in a few nations, with areas in customary and nontraditional locales alike.

    In contrast with different rivals in the fast food industry, where franchisees need to pay millions, - for example, McDonald's ($1-2 million) and KFC ($1.3-2.5 million), investors in Subway need to pay just a portion of that.

    The total investment is an estimated $150,050 - $328,700 in the United States and $102,000 to $234,000 in Canada.

    Veteran Incentives  Franchise fee waived if opening on a military/government location; 50% off franchise fee if opening on non-government location but receiving government financing
    "Top    ""
    #2 on Canada's top franchises 2020.
    #107 in Franchise 500 for 2020.







    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.