--- title: "Former Potbelly CEO Returns as Multi-Unit Operator" url: https://burnaze.com/article/b5621e1b-e794-479e-ae7a-0bf8e1d29443 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/former_potbelly_ceo_returns_as_multiunit_operator.html author: "Kerry Pipes" category: "Sandwich & sub" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Sandwich & sub" topics: ["Development & multi-unit","People"] published: 2023-07-24T08:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T20:06:33.888Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/7774_plate.jpg --- # Former Potbelly CEO Returns as Multi-Unit Operator **TL;DR:** Bryant Keil, former CEO of Potbelly, has signed a deal to develop over two dozen stores in Maryland as a multi-unit operator. He will refranchise 12 existing locations and open 15 new shops in the state over the next eight years. *By Kerry Pipes, originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-07-24. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/former_potbelly_ceo_returns_as_multiunit_operator.html).* ## Story Bryant Keil has signed a multi-unit deal with Potbelly that will see him takeover and develop a combination of more than two dozen stores in Maryland. He’s returning to the sandwich shop brand that he founded and where he served as CEO during its early years. Keil and his son Hampden are set to refranchise 12 existing Potbelly restaurant locations and have exclusive territory rights to seven Maryland counties where they will open 15 new Potbelly shops over the next eight years. “For nearly three decades, I’ve believed in the strength of the Potbelly brand and the company’s growth potential,” said Keil. “I’m thrilled for this new partnership and the opportunity to open and operate additional shops on the East Coast. I’m especially excited to partner with my son Hampden to develop the market and our family business. He grew up in Potbelly and has significant restaurant experience. We are both very excited to join the system.” Keil first purchased Potbelly in 1996, when it was a single antique shop serving sandwiches in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. As CEO, he successfully expanded the company to 250 locations by 2008. Today, there are more than 425 Potbelly locations throughout the U.S. - Get Started in Franchising - Franchise Rankings & Awards - Franchise Sales & Development - Featured Franchise Stories Franchising.com is produced by Franchise Update Media. Franchise Update Media has its finger on the pulse of franchising with unrivalled audience intelligence and market driven data. No media company understands the franchise landscape deeper than Franchise Update Media. 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 300A Washington, DC 20005 PH. (408) 402-5681 - Franchisee Financing & Lending - Site Selection & Real Estate - Supply Chain & Procurement - Annual Franchise Development Report - Multi-Unit Franchising Conference - Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference - Franchise Leadership & Development Conference - Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine - Franchise Update Magazine - Franchise Update Franchisor Report - Franchising Express Report - International Franchise Report - Multi-Unit Franchisee Report The multi-unit franchise opportunities listed above are not related to or endorsed by Multi-Unit Franchisee or Franchise Update Media Group. We are not engaged in, supporting, or endorsing any specific franchise, business opportunity, company or individual. No statement in this site is to be construed as a recommendation. We encourage prospective franchise buyers to perform extensive due diligence when considering a franchise opportunity. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Restaurants (sector) - multi-unit development (topic) - Kerry Pipes (person) - restaurant expansion (topic) - franchise deal (topic) - Maryland (location) - Potbelly (company) --- Originally reported by Kerry Pipes, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/former_potbelly_ceo_returns_as_multiunit_operator.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/b5621e1b-e794-479e-ae7a-0bf8e1d29443).