Jet's Pizza vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Jet's Pizza Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Investment $437,500 - $631,000$534,950 - $874,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 8%-10%6%
Advertising Fee Up to 1%Up to 4%
Year Founded 19781977
Year Franchised 19902009
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Jet's Pizza Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Customer service & management skills
  • 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

     
    Jet's Pizza 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

     
    Jet's Pizza Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 270 hours Classroom Training: 30 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 Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening 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 Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketingAd Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Jet's Pizza Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Jet's Pizza

    Based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Jet's Pizza was founded in 1978 and began franchising in 1990.
    Jet’s Pizza® regularly receives “Best of the Best” and “Reader’s Choice” awards. Pizza Today magazine named Jet’s Pizza® as the eighteenth largest pizza chain in the nation in its “Top 100 Company” report (Pizza Today, 2010). Entrepreneur Magazine has consistently ranked Jet’s Pizza® as a “Top 500 Franchise,” opportunity (Entrepreneur, 2010). Jet’s Pizza® has rapidly risen through the ranks to become the twelfth largest pizza chain in the nation, by sales (PMQ, 2016), with over 400 locations and plans for rapid future growth. While the quality and taste of the food is number one for Jet’s Pizza®, there is also a simple belief throughout the company; “Pizza should be fun,” says John Jetts. “You’ll always have a smile on your face when you’re eating a Jet’s pizza®. That fun attitude can be summed up in the company’s simple slogan says Jetts, “Life is short. Eat better pizza®. Let’s Get Jet’s®!”

    That is something that Jet’s Pizza® is betting that people across the nation will agree with. They’ve found that it’s working so far.

    Franchise Ranking History
    Franchise 500: #132 (2014), #146 (2013), #136 (2012), #145 (2011), #207 (2010),
    Fastest-Growing: #67 (2014), #82 (2012), #94 (2011)
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee or area development fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #220 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #340 in Franchise 500 for 2021.





    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.