Peoria’s Lake Pleasant Towne Center is getting a new lunch player this spring, as Potbelly Sandwich Works prepares to move into a corner of the busy retail hub. Franchisee Adam Warda says construction on the shop is scheduled to kick off in early to mid-March, with plans to start welcoming customers by late May or early June. The roughly 1,430 square foot space will feature indoor seating and a compact outdoor patio, sliding neatly into a lineup that already includes coffee, fitness, and personal care spots.
Exact location and timeline
City records show permits filed for a buildout at 24645 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Suite 104, and franchise owner Adam Warda confirmed to What Now Phoenix that construction is expected to begin in early to mid March, with a late May or early June 2026 opening on the calendar. According to the outlet, the 1,430 square foot shop will seat around a dozen guests inside and add another 10 to 12 seats on the patio. The menu will feature Potbelly’s toasted sandwiches, including options like PB&J and the Pizza Melt, along with mac and cheese and a rotating lineup of soups.
Neighbors and retail context
The restaurant is headed for the Lake Pleasant retail center, which is marketed as Sunrise Promenade. A leasing listing for the property notes a shadow anchoring grocery store and a range of service-oriented tenants. CBRE highlights a mix of cafes and studios, while Black Rock Coffee Bar confirms a drive thru coffee spot at the same address. Taken together, that lineup hints at steady midday and grab-and-go traffic for a quick sandwich shop.
Potbelly’s roots and growth strategy
Potbelly’s origin story starts far from Peoria. The company traces its roots to a Chicago antiques shop that morphed into a sandwich destination in 1977, a bit of brand lore detailed by Chowhound. More recently, the chain has leaned heavily into franchising. Industry outlet FastCasual reported that Potbelly is planning an aggressive slate of new shops for 2026 as it pushes past the 500 store mark.
What Peoria diners can expect
What Now Phoenix notes that the Lake Pleasant Towne Center restaurant is part of a multi unit development agreement between Warda and Potbelly, with more local openings expected under that deal. Warda told the outlet that he is investing because he believes in Potbelly’s food and service, and that hiring and final buildout timelines will fall into place once construction gets underway.
This story will be updated as the project moves forward and the franchise posts job listings or pins down an exact opening date. For now, Peoria residents can circle late spring on their mental calendars and plan on another source for toasted sandwiches, soups and shakes in the Lake Pleasant lunch circuit.
