| ||||
Updated RecentlySub Station II vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sub Station II vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
| Investment | $188,500 - $357,000 | $534,950 - $874,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | - | Up to 4% |
| Year Founded | 1975 | 1977 |
| Year Franchised | 1976 | 2009 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
| 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 |
||
| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | -/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | -/Yes |
| Payroll | No/No | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
||
| 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 |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | Purchasing 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 slicks, Regional advertising | Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
| Operations |
25% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (85% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
||
| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Sub Station II
Quality Food. Great Prices.
Since 1975, Sub Station II has been striving to serve our customers a fresh, delicious, and healthy product. We were founded on the simple belief of making fresh food fast, and customized to fit your tastes. Each one of our sandwiches is sliced to order and piled high right before your eyes, with our produce prepared fresh daily.
Today, Sub Station II has more than 40 locations spread throughout 5 states in the Southeast. With Sub Station II’s recipe for success and reinvigorated corporate team, it’s beginning to move in a direction that will undoubtedly make it one of the major sub sandwich chains in the future. With today’s fast paced lifestyles, more and more people are eating out than ever before. While the number of restaurants and choices have increased over the years, not all of them have the same relentless drive for quality as Sub Station II. We're here to make sure that you and your family have a quality dining experience at all of our locations, all of the time.
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.