Buy a hot, toasty Potbelly sandwich Friday and get one free as the company celebrates 45 years

The sandwich shop that began as an antique store in Chicago's Lincoln Park is celebrating over four decades of sandwich making

Photo courtesy Potbelly Corporation

(CHICAGO) Potbelly has a bit of an unusual origin story as far as sandwich shops go. In the 1970s, Peter Hastings was the owner of an antique shop in Lincoln Park that refurbished potbelly stoves.

One day, Hastings had the idea to sell sandwiches to his customers. The hot, toasted sandwiches became a favorite in the neighborhood, and soon people were lining up outside the door. Not to have potbelly stoves refurbished, but for a taste of Hastings' signature hot and toasty sandwich.

"From the start, it has always come down to the incredible sandwiches. High quality, freshly prepared sandwiches kept the long lines forming and made Potbelly the brand it is today," Bob Wright, CEO of Potbelly, said in a press release.

By 1996, Hastings sold Potbelly to one of his regular customers, Bryant Keil. And the rest, as they say, is history. Potbelly has expanded far beyond the Lincoln Park antique shop, and now the toasted sandwiches can be found throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Since the original shop opened in 1977, Potbelly now has over 400 stores across the U.S., although Chicago remains a focus.

BOGO free deal this Friday

To celebrate 45 years, Potbelly is offering its customers a sandwich deal this week. On Friday, January 14th, Potbelly will give customers a deal to buy one sandwich and get one free.

How to get the deal

On Friday, January 14th, order an original-sized sandwich online or through the Potbelly app, and be sure to enter the promo code BOGO, to get your free original-sized sandwich. The limit is one per order.

"Our associates and franchisees have a deep appreciation for our customers," said Wright. "So we decided there is no better way to show it than by giving fans more of what they love – hot, toasty sandwiches."

What makes Potbelly sandwiches unique?

Potbelly has gone beyond sandwiches and added salads, soups, and desserts to the menu. However, the toasted sandwiches remain the star of the show.

According to the website, sandwiches are toasted at 500 degrees, and they are all made to order. Ordering online or through the app makes it a breeze to customize your sandwich. The bread is crusty on the outside, soft in the middle, and holds up well to the ingredients.

"Our customers' love for Potbelly is timeless. It has always been a reflection of our passion for high-quality food made fresh and served hot along with the Good Vibes service you only get at Potbelly," said Wright.

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