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Potbelly Sandwich Shop will open its first location in the Colonial Plaza shopping center.
The first lease has been signed in the market expansion of Potbelly Sandwich Shop into metro Orlando.
Parent company Potbelly Corp. (NASDAQ: PBPB) announced this week that the popular sandwich shop chain’s first location here will open at 2714 E. Colonial Drive, in Kimco Realty Corp.’s Colonial Plaza shopping center, next to Total Wine & More and Orange Theory Fitness.
Orlando Business Journal previously reported in November 2022 that Potbelly had inked a multi-development deal to bring six shops to Orlando in the next seven years, with the confirmed east Orlando location representing the first of those.
The Orlando franchising deal is with Shari Nasir and Imran Malik of the Sugarland Investment Group LLC.
“Our successful presence in Tampa is a good indication of what’s to come, and we’re confident that Shari and Imran will bring the same distinct Potbelly experience and delicious oven-toasted sandwiches to Orlando,” said John Beckley, vice president of franchise development at Potbelly, in a prepared statement.
h Shop will open six locations in metro Orlando in the coming years.
Bobby Palta, senior vice president in the Orlando market for Atlanta-based The Shopping Center Group, represented Sugarland Investment Group and Patrick Frease, a vice president in Orlando for The Shopping Center Group, represented Kimco.
The statement also championed the location’s accessibility to popular Orlando neighborhoods including Mills 50, Colonial Town, Thornton Park, Baldwin Park and downtown Orlando.
Potbelly Sandwich Shops are known for its 18 types of lunch and dinner sandwiches and three breakfast sandwiches – the most famous of which is its “A Wreck,” which features roast turkey, smoked ham, roast beef, salami and Swiss cheese on a toasted sub roll.
The neighborhood sandwich shop concept, which features an antique potbelly stove in some of its stores, was founded in 1977 by Peter Hastings and his wife, and started expanding in 1997.
Potbelly stores range from 1,600 square feet to 2,000 square feet and can fit into a variety of retail spaces. According to the firm’s website, franchisees’ initial investment ranges between $594,950-$899,700.
Other franchised businesses also have plans to expand in Orlando.
For example, Miami Grill recently announced plans to open three more locations here — including a restaurant at 4220 S. Semoran Blvd., one at 14088 E. Colonial Drive and one at 5320 N. Orange Blossom Trail. The chain’s menu includes Philly cheesesteaks, Greek gyros, wings, fries and salads.
Denver-based burger chain Smashburger is also considering signing franchisees to add 10-15 new restaurants in the Orlando area. The chain’s growth would expand upon the company’s momentum in Florida, including a similar agreement in Tampa, Smashburger President Carl Bachmann previously told OBJ.
“Orlando’s on the top of our list for a lot of reasons. Economically it’s the right space. It is an international destination, so it is great for brand awareness. Also, it’s an up-and-coming city for great restaurants and foodies.”
Business owners in the Orlando metro statistical area (MSA) — including Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties — were approved for 689 new restaurant licenses by the state from July 1, 2022, through May 30 of this year, just a month ahead of the state’s fiscal year end, per Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation data compiled by OBJ.