East Tennessee is about to get a toasted new arrival. Potbelly Sandwich Works is headed to the region, with a local franchise group announcing plans for four shops, including one slated for downtown Knoxville. Brothers Kenny, Nick, and Ronnie Patel are listed as the developers for the Knoxville, Maryville, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville locations, part of a broader push as the chain ramps up expansion across the South.
As reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, the company announced the deal in a news release that skipped exact storefront addresses and opening dates. The release quoted Nick Patel saying the group is "excited to introduce a brand that we believe will resonate with both locals and visitors across East Tennessee." The story notes that the news surfaced through Potbelly's franchise channels rather than through local permit filings.
Franchise push and growth targets
Potbelly has been courting multi-unit operators to control entire markets, and Knoxville appears on its list of target territories in a corporate announcement. The company detailed those opportunities in a franchise release distributed via GlobeNewswire. Industry reporting says Potbelly aims to open roughly 50 shops in 2026 to push past the 500-store milestone, an expansion outlook covered by Fast Casual.
What the shops will sell
On the menu, Potbelly focuses on oven-toasted sandwiches, shakes and cookies. Signature sandwiches like the A Wreck, BLTA and Cubano are among its staples. The brand also promotes flexible formats, including inline, drive-thru and smaller digital-first prototypes that franchisees can tailor to specific sites. Those concepts are outlined on Potbelly's franchising site.
Where this fits in East Tennessee
Local coverage frames Potbelly's move as part of a broader wave of national chains moving into the Knoxville market as the metro area grows, while the planned Sevierville and Pigeon Forge locations would tap into tourist traffic headed for the Smokies. A local TV report highlighted other recent chain openings in the region and positioned Potbelly as another national option for both residents and visitors, context reported by WVLT.
For now, plenty of details remain under wraps. The release did not list addresses or a timetable, and the franchise announcement leaves site selection and permitting to the Patels and Potbelly's real-estate team. Lease agreements and building permits should make the specific locations and planned opening dates clearer. The franchising portal also lists contacts for prospective developers. We will update this story as permits, leases or grand-opening plans become public.
