Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide sales increased approximately 6.7% year over year to $154.2 million, with total revenue rising approximately 3.4% year over year to $123.7 million [20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $9.6 million, representing 7.8% of total revenue, reflecting a 13% year-over-year growth driven by improved shop level margin and disciplined management of G&A [20][22] - Net income for the quarter was $2.5 million, with adjusted net income increasing by $400,000 year over year to $2.9 million [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company-operated shop revenue increased approximately 2.5% year over year to $118.4 million, while franchise revenue improved approximately 27.7% year over year to $5.3 million, primarily driven by an increase in franchise units [20] - Same store sales grew by 3.2%, attributed to a 1.1% increase in transactions and a 2.1% increase in average check, with gross price increasing by approximately 2.7% [21][50] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital business represented over 41% of total shop sales, an increase of approximately 140 basis points compared to the previous year [13] - The company opened eight new shops during the second quarter, exceeding the original expectation of six, and plans to open at least another eight in the third quarter [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on menu innovation, digital investments, and shop growth to drive same store sales growth and enhance customer experience [8][12] - The franchise growth acceleration initiative is on track, with 54 new franchise shop commitments in the second quarter, bringing the total to 816 shops, which is over 40% of the long-term potential for at least 2,000 shops [18] - The company is committed to community service through initiatives like the Potbelly Summer of Service, reinforcing its brand identity as a community-focused business [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued growth, citing strong performance in same store sales and digital channels, despite external pressures on lower-income consumers [85] - The company raised its full-year guidance for same store sales growth to 2% - 3% and adjusted EBITDA to approximately $34 million - $35 million [24][25] Other Important Information - The company has implemented a new website and mobile app to enhance the customer experience, which is expected to drive further digital sales growth [14][92] - Food cost inflation is forecasted to be just shy of 2% for the third quarter, with the company locked in on its food cost baskets for the year [62] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on franchise openings and pipeline realization - Management indicated that the timeline for realizing franchise openings varies, with larger developers expected to deliver more units per year, while smaller agreements may take longer [33][36] Question: Corporate store openings and densification strategy - Management confirmed visibility into the corporate store pipeline, with plans to open up to 20 company units a year, focusing on markets with strong margins and lower construction costs [40][41] Question: Breakdown of same store sales growth - The 3.2% same store sales growth comprised a 1.1% increase in traffic and a 2.1% increase in average check, with a slight drop in mix [49] Question: Menu innovation timeline and testing - Management confirmed ongoing menu innovation testing, with plans to introduce new items based on customer feedback and research [56][59] Question: Visibility on food costs and tariffs - Management noted manageable food cost inflation, with a forecast of just over 2% for the back half of the year, and limited exposure to proposed tariffs [62] Question: Capital deployment strategy post-debt - Management emphasized a focus on investing in growth initiatives, technology, and share buybacks as part of their capital strategy [67][70] Question: Consumer behavior changes and competitive dynamics - Management observed pressure on lower-income consumers but noted that the majority of their traffic comes from higher income brackets, allowing for continued growth [84] Question: Differences in sales trends between mobile order and pickup versus delivery - Management reported no significant shift in sales trends between digital pickup and delivery, maintaining a focus on enhancing first-party digital channels [92][93]

Summary of Potbelly (PBPB) FY Conference Call - June 04, 2025 Company Overview - Potbelly is a fast casual restaurant chain known for its sandwich-based menu, with a strong brand presence and customer loyalty [11][20][21] - The company has experienced significant growth and transformation since 2020, moving from a turnaround phase to a growth phase [23][72] Key Metrics and Financial Performance - As of Q1 2025, Potbelly had 444 open locations and 766 open and committed locations, including 103 franchise locations [22] - System sales growth of 34% over the past three years, with nearly 700 basis points of margin expansion at the shop level [27] - Digital sales now account for 42% of total business, up from 9% at the beginning of the pandemic [74] - Adjusted EBITDA increased from near zero to approximately $30 million last year [28] - The company aims to reach 2,000 units in the U.S., projecting system sales to exceed $3 billion at that scale [55][72] Strategic Initiatives - Potbelly's growth strategy is built on five pillars: great food, great value, great people, digital growth, and franchise expansion [29][30] - Menu innovation has been a key focus, with recent additions including new sandwiches and beverages that have resonated well with customers [33][35][74] - The company is replatforming its digital customer experience to enhance user engagement and streamline operations [41][43] Franchise Growth - Potbelly has a strong franchise development pipeline, with 322 committed locations not yet open and 70% of franchisees actively developing new units [46][50] - The franchise model is seen as a significant driver of future growth, with attractive unit-level economics and support for new franchisees [50][72] Market Position and Competitive Advantage - Potbelly has outperformed the fast casual industry in same-store sales and traffic over the last three quarters [59] - The company emphasizes a three-layered value approach, focusing on intrinsic value, everyday value, and promotional value to enhance customer experience [38][39] Future Outlook - The company maintains a positive outlook for continued growth, with guidance for low to mid-single-digit same-store sales growth and unit growth in the low double digits [70][72] - Potbelly is committed to leveraging its digital capabilities and franchise model to drive profitability and expand its market presence [72][76] Additional Insights - The management team has a clear focus on maintaining alignment across the organization regarding growth objectives and performance metrics [30] - Potbelly's unique brand cachet and customer loyalty are seen as critical assets for future expansion [20][21]