Potbelly Hours 2025: Opening & Closing Time

As a food writer with over ten years of experience covering fast-casual restaurants, I’ve visited many sandwich shops across the U.S., from busy city locations to quiet suburban drive-thrus. Potbelly Sandwich Shop stands out for its warm, toasted subs and cozy feel, inspired by old potbelly stoves that once warmed antique shops. If you’re craving favorites like the Mediterranean Chicken sandwich or the classic A Wreck, knowing Potbelly’s hours helps you avoid any surprises. This guide covers regular opening and closing times, differences by location, holiday hours, and useful tips to make your visit smooth. Whether you’re a frequent guest or trying Potbelly for the first time, this article will help you plan ahead and enjoy their tasty sandwiches without any hassle.

What Is Potbelly Sandwich Shop? A Quick Overview

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, often called Potbelly, is a popular American fast-casual chain that started in 1977 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. It began as an antique store where the owner toasted sandwiches on a potbelly stove to attract customers—that’s where the name comes from. Today, Potbelly is a public company with more than 400 locations across the U.S. and a few spots in Canada and the UK.

The menu offers hot toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, filling soups, hand-dipped milkshakes, and freshly baked cookies. Popular choices include the Wreck, a hearty mix of salami, roast beef, turkey, and ham, and the Italian sandwich with capicola, mortadella, and pepperoni. Potbelly focuses on quality ingredients, melted cheese, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Early on, many stores played local music to create good vibes, though that’s less common now.

Potbelly serves lunch crowds, families, and people looking for a quick meal. Since store hours can vary, knowing the typical schedule helps you pick the best time to visit and enjoy your favorite sandwich.

Typical Operating Hours at Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Potbelly’s store hours vary by location because each place adjusts based on things like customer traffic or mall rules. Still, looking at many stores, here’s a general idea of what to expect. These are average hours—check your local Potbelly to be sure.

• Monday to Friday: Most stores open between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM and close between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. For example, city locations near offices often open early at 9:00 AM to serve breakfast and lunch customers, while suburban stores might open later, around 10:00 AM.
• Saturday: Hours are similar to weekdays but usually shorter, around 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. This works well for weekend shoppers and families.
• Sunday: Sunday usually has the shortest hours, opening at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM and closing by 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Some stores in areas with fewer visitors or near places of worship may close earlier or have limited Sunday hours.

A common schedule you’ll see in cities like Chicago, New York, and Houston looks like this:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

These hours focus on lunch and dinner times. While breakfast isn’t available at all locations, some stores open early and offer breakfast items like avocado toast or breakfast sandwiches in select areas.. If you’re an early bird, check for drive-thru locations, which might open sooner.

Why Do Hours Vary by Location?

Potbelly’s hours change because the chain adjusts to local needs. Several factors affect when stores open and close:

• Urban vs. Suburban Locations: City-center stores, like those in downtown Milwaukee or Houston, often stay open later—sometimes until 10:00 PM—to serve evening customers. Suburban locations, like in Brookfield, WI, usually close earlier around 9:00 PM.
• Mall and Airport Locations: These stores follow the hours of their venues. For example, a Potbelly inside a mall like Paddock Shops in Louisville typically opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM, matching the mall’s schedule.
• Drive-Thru Stores: Newer Potbelly spots with drive-thrus, such as those in Racine, WI or San Tan, AZ, often open earlier, around 8:00 AM, to offer quick grab-and-go options.
• Regional Differences: In the Midwest, where Potbelly began, stores usually have longer hours due to higher demand. Coastal U.S. and international locations may open later or close earlier, adjusting for local habits—like later openings in Europe.
• Seasonal Changes: Some stores extend their hours during busy times like summer or back-to-school season. Weather events, like snowstorms in Chicago, can cause temporary closures or shorter hours.

Here are real examples of Potbelly hours in different cities:

• Milwaukee, WI (Yelp): Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
• Houston, TX (Vintage Park): Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, reflecting Texas’ late dining culture.
• New York, NY (Broadway): Weekdays from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; weekends from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM or 5:00 PM, based on city foot traffic.

Always check Potbelly’s official location finder to confirm the exact hours at your nearest store.

Potbelly Holiday Hours: Open or Closed?

Holidays can change regular hours, but Potbelly tries to stay open whenever possible. Most locations have shorter hours on holidays they are open, while they close fully on major holidays. Here’s a clear list of Potbelly’s holiday hours for 2025, based on usual store practices:

Tips for Visiting Potbelly During Peak Hours

Having visited many Potbelly locations across the country, here are some helpful tips to make your visit easier:

• Avoid Busy Lunch Hours: The lunch rush from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM is the busiest time. Try going earlier or later to avoid waiting.
• Order Ahead: Use the Potbelly app or website to order for pickup. This saves time and sometimes gives you special deals.
• Use Delivery Services: If Potbelly’s hours don’t fit your schedule, try delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats. They deliver during store hours.
• Plan Group Orders Early: For office lunches or events, place catering orders at least 24 hours in advance. Many locations can prepare orders outside regular hours.
• Accessibility: Most Potbelly stores are wheelchair accessible. Some also have drive-thru lanes for easy pickup.
• Budget and Calories: Sandwich prices usually range from $7 to $10. Choose “Skinny” options if you want fewer calories.

From my experience, Potbelly’s steady quality makes it worth planning your visit. Whether you’re grabbing a quick sandwich near Millennium Park in Chicago or a late-night meal in Houston, knowing the hours helps you enjoy your food without stress..

Final Thoughts on Potbelly Hours

Potbelly Sandwich Shop keeps hours that fit busy schedules, with most locations open every day from morning until evening. While hours may vary by store, Potbelly always serves fresh, warm sandwiches you can count on. Knowing their usual opening and closing times, holiday hours, and how to check your local store will help you get your favorite meal without missing out. If you’re new to Potbelly, try the Turkey Breast sandwich—add some hot peppers for an extra flavorful touch. Enjoy your meal!

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Ethan Brooks

Hi, I’m Ethan Brooks — the person behind Potbelly-Menu.com.

I’ve been a Potbelly fan for years, visiting locations all over the U.S. and trying just about everything on the menu — from their toasted sandwiches to hearty soups, fresh salads, and, of course, those warm cookies.

I created this site to give people a simple, honest guide to Potbelly’s menu, prices, and top picks. Everything here comes from real visits, firsthand experiences, and careful research using reliable sources like in-store menus and the official Potbelly website.

This site isn’t affiliated with Potbelly Corporation — it’s an independent resource made by a fan, for fans (and for anyone curious to try Potbelly for the first time).

Whether you’re grabbing lunch, planning dinner, or just stopping in for a shake, I hope this site helps you find your new favorite order.

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