Potbelly Sandwich Works, a proven brand with nearly 500 locations across the country, is coming to New Jersey in a big way.
PBNJ LLC, a multi-generational restaurant ownership group led by Greg Dunn and Kelly Hart, announced Wednesday that it has signed a15-shop development agreement to become the first franchisee in the state.
PBNJ said it intends to open locations across Northern New Jersey – in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Sussex counties.
The large commitment qualifies PBNJ to participate in Potbelly’s Large Area Developer 50/50 Incentive Program, which supports experienced multi-unit operators who commit to opening 15 or more shops within an eight-year development window.
The program aligns long-term partnership and performance by offering reduced franchise fees, royalty incentives for developers who meet and exceed expansion milestones and additional benefits for partners who open ahead of schedule.
Dunn, the chief financial officer of PBNJ, said the large commitment made sense.
“With a quality product and rave reviews from existing franchise operators, we knew Potbelly was the right fit for our team as we looked to expand our franchising business,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be Potbelly’s first New Jersey franchisee group and introduce the sandwiches Potbelly fans know and love to a new market.”
PBNJ brings more than 30 years of deep operational, leadership, and franchising experience, most notably with the Wendy’s brand.
PBNJ CEO Kelly Hart grew up in the franchise business, with more than 20 years of hands-on restaurant leadership experience. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Wendy’s National Advertising Program, as well as the BOD of the Wendy’s Franchise Association.
Their background made PBNJ a logical partner, according to Jennifer Durham, SVP of Franchising & Development at Potbelly.
“With Greg and Kelly’s impressive operational and multi-unit restaurant franchise background, they were a wonderful fit for Potbelly’s Large Area Developer 50/50 Incentive Program,” she said. “We’re excited to have the pioneering PBNJ LLC team joining the
Potbelly franchise family and bring their deep food experience, knowledge of the northern New Jersey trade areas and disciplined approach to accelerate Potbelly’s growth in the Garden State.”
