Franchise opportunities compared
Potbelly Sandwich Works vs Protein Bar and Kitchen
Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.
Initial investment · Item 7
Potbelly Sandwich Works
$628,938 – $999,371
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 27Protein Bar and Kitchen
$369,500
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 17Initial franchise fee · Item 5
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Not available
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Not available
Royalty · Item 6
Potbelly Sandwich Works
$50
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 17Protein Bar and Kitchen
$1,000 the “Royalty”) will be — 1000
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 12Before you compare
- Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
- Item 19 figures cover the location groups each FDD names (Potbelly Sandwich Works: 55, Protein Bar and Kitchen: 1). Different groups are not directly comparable.
Financial commitment
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and KitchenPotbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
System scale & health
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and KitchenPotbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and Kitchen
Financial performance (Item 19), by location group
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Protein Bar and KitchenItem 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.
Potbelly Sandwich Works vs Protein Bar and Kitchen: common questions
- Which costs less to open, Potbelly Sandwich Works or Protein Bar and Kitchen?
- Potbelly Sandwich Works: $628,938 – $999,371 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 27); Protein Bar and Kitchen: $369,500 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 17). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for Protein Bar and Kitchen. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
- How do Potbelly Sandwich Works and Protein Bar and Kitchen royalties compare?
- Potbelly Sandwich Works: $50 (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 17); Protein Bar and Kitchen: $1,000 the “Royalty”) will be — 1000 (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 12). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
- Which has more locations, Potbelly Sandwich Works or Protein Bar and Kitchen?
- Potbelly Sandwich Works: 470 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 75); Protein Bar and Kitchen: 3 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 55). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
- Do Potbelly Sandwich Works and Protein Bar and Kitchen disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Potbelly Sandwich Works has reviewed Item 19 figures for 55 location groups; Protein Bar and Kitchen has reviewed Item 19 figures for 1 location group. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.
Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Keep researching

Full Potbelly Sandwich Works report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure

Full Protein Bar and Kitchen report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure



