10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2019

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from to

Commission File Number: 001-36104

Potbelly Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	36-4466837
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

111 N. Canal Street, Suite 850

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address, including Zip Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 951-0600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common stock, $0.01 Par Value – 23,943,564 shares as of April 28, 2019

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	PBPB	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
		(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents

		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	21
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	21
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	22
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	22
Item 2.	Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	22
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.....................................................................................................................................	22
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures..................................................................................................................................................	22
Item 5.	Other Information............................................................................................................................................................	22
Item 6.	Exhibits	23
	Signature	24

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(amounts in thousands, except share and par value data, unaudited)

	March 31,			December 30,
	2019			2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,831		$	19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $65 and $113 as of March 31, 2019    and December 30, 2018, respectively		5,548			4,737
Inventories		3,293			3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		9,920			11,426
Total current assets		32,592			39,420
Property and equipment, net		84,172			87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		222,177			—
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404			3,404
Goodwill		2,222			2,222
Deferred income taxes		—			13,385
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		6,963			7,002
Total assets	$	351,530		$	153,215
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,203		$	3,835
Accrued expenses		20,062			25,029
Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,768			—
Accrued income taxes		162			162
Total current liabilities		52,195			29,026
Deferred rent and landlord allowances		—			22,905
Long-term operating lease liabilities		217,008			—
Other long-term liabilities		6,239			5,751
Total liabilities		275,442			57,682
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding    24,038,211 and 24,142,586 shares as of March 31, 2019 and December 30,    2018, respectively		330			330
Additional paid-in-capital		433,400			432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost, 8,939,202 and 8,801,154 shares as of    March 31, 2019, and December 30, 2018, respectively		(109,541	)		(108,372	)
Accumulated deficit		(248,528	)		(229,558	)
Total stockholders’ equity		75,661			95,171
Non-controlling interest		427			362
Total stockholders' equity		76,088			95,533
Total liabilities and equity	$	351,530		$	153,215

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data, unaudited)

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Revenues
Sandwich shop sales, net	$	97,258		$	102,247
Franchise royalties and fees		829			670
Total revenues		98,087			102,917
Expenses
Sandwich shop operating expenses
Cost of goods sold, excluding depreciation		25,978			26,636
Labor and related expenses		31,973			31,579
Occupancy expenses		14,377			14,726
Other operating expenses		12,145			12,500
General and administrative expenses		12,709			12,188
Depreciation expense		5,536			5,826
Pre-opening costs		10			68
Impairment and loss on disposal of property and equipment		82			2,024
Total expenses		102,810			105,547
Loss from operations		(4,723	)		(2,630	)
Interest expense		32			27
Loss before income taxes		(4,755	)		(2,657	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		13,619			(504	)
Net loss		(18,374	)		(2,153	)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		65			41
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	(18,439	)	$	(2,194	)
Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Diluted	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		24,133,038			25,144,855
Diluted		24,133,038			25,144,855

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(amounts in thousands, except share data, unaudited)

	Common Stock					Treasury			Additional Paid-In-		Accumulated			Non- Controlling
	Shares			Amount		Stock			Capital		Deficit			Interest		Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017		24,999,688			318		(85,262	)		421,657		(219,990	)		515	$	117,238
Cumulative impact of Topic    606 at 1/1/2018		—			—		—			—		(690	)		—		(690	)
Net income (loss)		—			—		—			—		(2,194	)		41		(2,153	)
Stock-based compensation plans		300,312			3		—			2,252		—			—		2,255
Repurchases of common stock		(5,000	)		—		(63	)		—		—			—		(63	)
Treasury shares used for     stock-based plans		(8,771	)		—		(116	)		—		—			—		(116	)
Amortization of    stock-based compensation		—			—		—			862		—			—		862
Balance at April 1, 2018		25,286,229		$	321	$	(85,441	)	$	424,771	$	(222,874	)	$	556	$	117,333
Balance at December 30, 2018		24,142,586		$	330	$	(108,372	)	$	432,771	$	(229,558	)	$	362	$	95,533
Cumulative impact of Topic    842 at 12/31/2018, net of tax of $196		—			—		—			—		(531	)		—	$	(531	)
Net income (loss)		—			—		—			—		(18,439	)		65		(18,374	)
Stock-based compensation plans		33,673			—		—			170		—			—		170
Repurchases of common stock		(135,000	)		—		(1,144	)		—		—			—		(1,144	)
Treasury shares used for     stock-based plans		(3,048	)		—		(25	)		—		—			—		(25	)
Amortization of    stock-based compensation		—			—		—			459		—			—		459
Balance at March 31, 2019		24,038,211		$	330	$	(109,541	)	$	433,400	$	(248,528	)	$	427	$	76,088

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(amounts in thousands, unaudited)

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(18,374	)	$	(2,153	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		5,536			5,826
Noncash lease expense		7,829			—
Deferred income tax		13,580			—
Deferred rent and landlord allowances		—			(23	)
Amortization of stock compensation expense		459			862
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based compensation		—			122
Asset impairment, store closure and disposal of property and equipment		87			2,381
Amortization of debt issuance costs		9			9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(811	)		(41	)
Inventories		189			68
Prepaid expenses and other assets		1,455			207
Accounts payable		(130	)		(241	)
Operating lease liabilities		(7,860	)		—
Accrued and other liabilities		(4,342	)		(352	)
Net cash provided by operating activities:		(2,373	)		6,665
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	$	(2,572	)	$	(4,939	)
Net cash used in investing activities:		(2,572	)		(4,939	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	$	170		$	2,255
Employee taxes on certain stock-based payment arrangements		(25	)		(512	)
Treasury stock repurchases		(1,144	)		(63	)
Net cash used in financing activities:		(999	)		1,680
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(5,944	)		3,406
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		19,775			25,530
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	13,831		$	28,936
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	$	4		$	—
Interest paid		24			19
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unpaid liability for purchases of property and equipment	$	161		$	1,234

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

6

Potbelly Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(1) Organization and Other Matters

Business

Potbelly Corporation (the “Company” or “Potbelly”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns or operates more than 400 company-owned shops in the United States. Additionally, Potbelly franchisees operate approximately 50 shops domestically and in the Middle East.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Potbelly Corporation and its subsidiaries and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2018. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature (except as otherwise noted), that are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, its statement of operations for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 and its statement of cash flows for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 have been included. The consolidated statements of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income recorded within its consolidated financial statements and therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Potbelly Corporation; its wholly owned subsidiary, Potbelly Illinois, Inc. (“PII”); PII’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Potbelly Franchising, LLC and Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC (“LLC”); seven of LLC’s wholly owned subsidiaries and LLC’s seven joint ventures, collectively, the “Company.” All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For consolidated joint ventures, non-controlling interest represents a non-controlling partner’s share of the assets, liabilities and operations related to the seven joint venture investments. The Company has ownership interests ranging from 51-80% in these consolidated joint ventures.

Fiscal Year

The Company uses a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar period. Approximately every five or six years a 53rd week is added. Fiscal year 2019 and 2018 both consist of 52 weeks. The fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 each consisted of 13 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates include amounts for long-lived assets and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

7

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On December 31, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” along with related clarifications and improvements. This pronouncement requires lessees to recognize a liability for lease obligations, which represents the discounted obligation to make future lease payments, and a corresponding right-of-use asset on the balance sheet. The guidance requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements that is intended to give financial statement users the ability to assess the amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of cash flows related to leases. We elected the optional transition method to apply the standard as of the effective date and therefore, prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under previous lease guidance, ASC Topic 840: Leases (Topic 840). The adoption of Topic 842 had a material impact on the consolidated balance sheets and an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of equity and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our practical expedients were as follows:

	Implications as of December 31, 2018
Practical expedient package	We have not reassessed whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases.
	We have not reassessed the lease classification for any expired or existing leases.
	We have not reassessed initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases.
Hindsight practical expedient	We have not elected the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of operating lease assets.

8

The impact on the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:

				Adjustments Due
	December 30,			to the Adoption of			December 31,
	2018			Topic 842			2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,775		$	—		$	19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018		4,737			—			4,737
Inventories		3,482			—			3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,426			—			11,426
Total current assets		39,420			—			39,420
Property and equipment, net		87,782			—			87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		—			232,477			232,477
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404			—			3,404
Goodwill		2,222			—			2,222
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent		13,385			195			13,580
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		7,002			—			7,002
Total assets	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,835		$	—		$	3,835
Accrued expenses(1)		25,029			(1,124	)		23,905
Short-term operating lease liabilities		—			28,826			28,826
Accrued income taxes		162			—			162
Total current liabilities		29,026			27,702			56,728
Deferred rent and landlord allowances(1)		22,905			(22,905	)		—
Long-term operating lease liabilities		—			228,406			228,406
Other long-term liabilities		5,751			—			5,751
Total liabilities		57,682			233,203			290,885
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares;    outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018		330			—			330
Additional paid-in-capital		432,771			—			432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost,  8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018		(108,372	)		—			(108,372	)
Accumulated deficit(2)		(229,558	)		(531	)		(230,089	)
Total stockholders’ equity		95,171			(531	)		94,640
Non-controlling interest		362			—			362
Total stockholders' equity		95,533			(531	)		95,002
Total liabilities and equity	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887

(1) Adjustment to reclassify deferred rent and tenant improvement allowance to right-of-use assets for operating leases upon the adoption of Topic 842.

(2) The Company recorded a net reduction of $0.5 million to opening accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 842.

9

(2) Revenue

Potbelly primarily earns revenue at a point in time through sales at our sandwich shop locations and records such revenue net of sales-related taxes collected from customers. The payment on these sales is due at the time of the customer’s purchase. The Company also receives royalties from franchisees on their respective sales, which are recognized at the point in time the sale is made and invoiced weekly. Potbelly also records revenue from sales over time related to upfront franchise fees, gift card redemptions and breakage. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, revenue recognized from all revenue sources on point in time sales was $97.8 million, and revenue recognized from sales over time was $0.3 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, revenue recognized from all revenue sources on point in time sales was $102.7 million, and revenue recognized from sales over time was $0.2 million.

Franchise Revenue

Potbelly licenses intellectual property and trademarks to franchisees through franchise agreements. As part of these franchise agreements, Potbelly receives an upfront payment from the franchisee, which the Company recognizes over the term of the franchise agreement. The Company records a contract liability for the unearned portion of the upfront franchise payments.

Gift Card Redemptions / Breakage Revenue

Potbelly sells gift cards to customers, records the sale as a contract liability and recognizes the associated revenue as the gift card is redeemed. A portion of these gift cards are not redeemed by the customer, which is recognized by the Company as revenue as a percentage of customers gift card redemptions. The expected breakage amount recognized is determined by a historical data analysis on gift card redemption patterns.

Contract Liabilities

As described above, the Company records current and noncurrent contract liabilities for upfront franchise fees as well as gift cards. There are no other contract liabilities or contract assets recorded by the Company. The opening and closing balances of the Company’s current and noncurrent contract liabilities from contracts with customers were as follows:

	Current Contract Liability			Noncurrent Contract Liability
	(Thousands)			(Thousands)
Beginning balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(2,184	)	$	(1,631	)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2019		(1,495	)		(2,076	)
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability	$	(689	)	$	445

The aggregate value of remaining performance obligations on outstanding contracts was $3.6 million as of March 31, 2019. The Company expects to recognize revenue related to contract liabilities as follows (in thousands), which may vary based upon franchise activity as well as gift card redemption patterns:

Years Ending	Amount
2019	$	1,124
2020		525
2021		185
2022		176
2023		169
Thereafter		1,392
Total revenue recognized	$	3,571

For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the amount of revenue recognized related to the December 31, 2018 liability ending balance was $0.8 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the amount of revenue recognized related to the January 1, 2018 liability ending balance was $0.9 million. This revenue related to the recognition of gift card redemptions and upfront franchise fees. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company did not recognize any revenue from obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in prior periods.

10

(3) Fair Value Measurement

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and all other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short maturities of these balances.

The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived assets, which includes property and equipment and lease right-of-use assets, on a quarterly basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Shop-level assets and right-of-use assets are grouped at the individual shop-level for the purpose of the impairment assessment. Recoverability of an asset group is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. The fair value of the shop assets is determined using the discounted future cash flow method of anticipated cash flows through the shop’s lease-end date using fair value measurement inputs classified as Level 3. The fair value of right-of-use assets is estimated using market comparative information for similar properties. Level 3 inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. At transition of adoption to ASC 842, the Company impaired $0.7 million of pre-tax right-of-use assets related to previously impaired shops. This amount is recorded, net of tax, as an opening reduction to retained earnings. After performing a periodic review of the Company’s shops during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, it was determined that there were no indicators of impairment for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and accordingly, the Company recorded no impairment charge for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets recognized or disclosed at fair value on the consolidated financial statements on a nonrecurring basis include items such as leasehold improvements, property and equipment, operating lease assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired.

(4) Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted income per common share attributable to common stockholders are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of fully diluted common shares outstanding. In periods of a net loss, no potential common shares are included in diluted shares outstanding as the effect is anti-dilutive. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, and April 1, 2018, the Company had a loss per share, and therefore potentially diluted shares were excluded from the calculation.

The following table summarizes the loss per share calculation:

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	(18,439	)	$	(2,194	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic		24,133,038			25,144,855
Plus: Effect of potential stock options exercise		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted		24,133,038			25,144,855
Loss per share available to common stockholders-basic	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Loss per share available to common stockholders-diluted	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Potentially dilutive shares that are considered anti-dilutive:
Common share options		2,386,820			3,101,447

11

(5) Income Taxes

Our interim tax provision is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate and adjusted for discrete taxable events that occur during the quarter. The difference between the effective tax rate in Q1 2019 and Q1 2018 is the recording of the valuation allowance in Q1 2019.

The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets, which includes consideration of both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of such deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of the available evidence, whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized.  In its assessment, the Company considered recent financial operating results, the change in projected future taxable income for fiscal year 2019, the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, and tax planning strategies.  As a result of the recent changes in the projected taxable income for 2019, the Company now estimates it will be in a cumulative loss position as of December 29, 2019.  Therefore, the Company determined that the negative evidence outweighed the positive evidence and, therefore, recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. The Company recorded a non-cash charge to income tax expense of $13.6 million related to the recognition of the valuation allowance and did not provide for an income tax benefit on the pre-tax loss recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This accounting treatment has no effect on the Company’s ability to utilize deferred tax assets to reduce future cash tax payments. The Company will continue to assess the likelihood of the realization of its deferred tax assets at the end of each reporting period and the valuation allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

(6) Leases

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. The Company leases retail shops, warehouse and office space under operating leases. For leases with renewal periods at the Company’s option, the Company determines the expected lease period based on whether the renewal of any options are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs, lease incentives, and impairment of operating lease assets. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental secured borrowing rates corresponding to the maturities of the leases. As we have no outstanding debt nor committed credit facilities, secured or otherwise, we estimate this rate based on prevailing financial market conditions, comparable company and credit analysis, and management judgment.

We recognize expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, tenant incentives used to fund leasehold improvements are recognized when earned and reduce our right-of-use asset related to the lease. These are amortized through the right-of-use asset as reductions of expense over the lease term.

Related to the adoption of Topic 842, our policy elections were as follows:

Separation of lease and non-lease components

We elected this expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for our entire population of operating lease assets.

Short-term policy

We have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all applicable classes of underlying assets. Short-term disclosures include only those leases with a term greater than one month and 12 months or less, and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise, are not recorded on the balance sheet.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

		March 31,
Operating Leases	Classification	2019
Right-of-use assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	222,177
Short-term lease liabilities	Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,768
Long-term lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities		217,008
Total lease liabilities			245,776

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Operating lease term and discount rate were as follows:

	March 31,
	2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)	8.90
Weighted average discount rate		8.01	%

Certain of the Company’s operating lease agreements include variable payments that are passed through by the landlord, such as common area maintenance and real estate taxes, as well as variable payments based on percentage rent for certain of our shops.  Pass-through charges and payments based on percentage rent are included within variable lease cost. The components of lease cost were as follows:

		13 weeks ending
		March 31,
	Classification	2019
Operating lease cost	Occupancy and General and administrative expenses		10,995
Variable lease cost	Occupancy		3,504
Total lease cost		$	14,499

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows:

	13 weeks ending
	March 31,
	2019
Operating cash flows rent paid for operating lease liabilities		11,938
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		922

As of March 31, 2019, the Company has additional operating leases related to shops not yet open of $1.6 million. These operating leases will commence during fiscal year 2019 with lease terms of 7 years.

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of March 31, 2019:

	Operating Leases
Remainder of 2019		35,277
2020		45,402
2021		41,183
2022		36,002
2023		31,111
Thereafter		164,475
Total lease payments		353,450
Less: imputed interest		(107,674	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	245,776

As previously disclosed in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the previous lease accounting, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of December 30, 2018:

	Operating Leases
2019		47,918
2020		45,828
2021		41,497
2022		36,120
2023		31,060
Thereafter		138,928
Total minimum lease payments		341,351

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(7) Capital Stock

On May 8, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $65.0 million of its outstanding common stock. The program permits the Company, from time to time, to purchase shares in the open market (including in pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or in privately negotiated transactions.  The number of common shares actually repurchased, and the timing and price of repurchases, will depend upon market conditions, Securities and Exchange Commission requirements and other factors. Purchases may be started or stopped at any time without prior notice depending on market conditions and other factors.  For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 135,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $1.1 million under the stock repurchase program, including cost and commission, in open market transactions.  Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of equity.

(8) Stock-Based Compensation

Stock options

Stock options are awarded under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan to eligible employees and certain non-employee members of the Board of Directors. On June 14, 2018, the Company registered an additional 1,000,000 shares of its common stock reserved for issuance under the Potbelly Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”) and brings the total number of shares registered under the plan to 3,500,000. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. There were no stock options granted during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019.

A summary of stock option activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares (Thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (Thousands)		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
Outstanding—December 30, 2018		2,150		$	11.49	$	378		5.13
Granted		—			—
Exercised		(21	)		7.92
Canceled		(173	)		13.55
Outstanding—March 31, 2019		1,956		$	11.34	$	620		5.31
Exercisable—March 31, 2019		1,511		$	11.01	$	620		4.33

Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite employee service period, which is generally the vesting period of the grant with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $0.3 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $0.8 million. As of March 31, 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $1.6 million, which will be recognized through fiscal year 2022. The Company records stock-based compensation expense within general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted stock units

The Company awards restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees of the Company and certain non-employee members of its Board of Directors. The Board of Director grants have a vesting schedule of 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date. The employee grants vest in one-third increments over a three-year period. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs of $0.2 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs of $0.1 million. As of March 31, 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for RSUs was $2.4 million, which will be recognized though fiscal year 2022.

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A summary of RSU activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

RSUs	Number of RSUs			Weighted Average Fair Value per Share
Non-vested as of December 30, 2018		247		$	11.99
Granted		194			8.46
Vested		(10	)		8.52
Canceled		—			—
Non-vested as of March 31, 2019		431		$	10.43

Performance stock units

The Company awards performance share units (“PSUs”) to eligible employees under the 2013 LTIP that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions. In March of 2019 the Company issued 188,414 PSUs with a grant date fair value of $8.46 per share. The PSUs will vest based on the Company’s achievement of certain targets related to adjusted EBITDA and same store sales goals. The PSUs will vest fully on the third anniversary of the grant date. The quantity of shares that will vest ranges from 0% to 200% of the targeted number of shares. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will vest. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company recognized less than $0.1 million of expense associated with the PSUs.

(9) Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities, such as employment-related claims and slip and fall cases, which arise in the ordinary course of business and are generally covered by insurance. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to those actions should not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations and cash flows.

In October 2017, plaintiffs filed a purported collective and class action lawsuit (the “Complaint”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). The plaintiffs allege that the Company violated the FLSA and NYLL by not paying overtime compensation to our assistant managers and violated NYLL by not paying spread-of-hours pay. The Complaint was brought as a nationwide “collective action” under the FLSA and as a “class action” under NYLL. Since the filing of the Complaint, the plaintiffs filed a proposed amended complaint removing the NYLL class claim, but adding a proposed Illinois state law class action. The Court has not ruled on whether to permit this amendment. The Company believes the assistant managers were properly classified under state and federal law. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. This discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements relating to: our future financial position and results of operations, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and generally contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “plans,” “strives,” “goal,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects” or “anticipates” and the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by the forward-looking statement, due to reasons including, but not limited to, competition; general economic conditions; our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; the success of our initiatives to increase sales and traffic; changes in commodity, energy and other costs; our ability to attract and retain management and employees; consumer reaction to industry-related public health issues and perceptions of food safety; our ability to manage our growth; reputational and brand issues; price and availability of commodities; consumer confidence and spending patterns; and weather conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and currently available data and are neither predictions nor guarantees of future events or performance. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. See “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, for a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Overview

Potbelly Corporation is a neighborhood sandwich concept that has been feeding customers’ smiles with warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and other fresh menu items, customized just the way customers want them, for more than 40 years. Potbelly promises Fresh, Fast & Friendly service in an environment that reflects the local neighborhood. Our employees are trained to engage with our customers in a genuine way to provide a personalized experience. Our shops feature vintage design elements and locally-themed décor inspired by the neighborhood that we believe create a lively atmosphere. Through this combination, we believe we are creating a devoted base of Potbelly fans that return again and again.

We believe that a key to our past and future success is our culture. It is embodied in The Potbelly Advantage, which is an expression of our Vision, Mission and Values, and the foundation of everything we do. Our Vision is to create an experience people love to share. Our Mission is to help people love lunch again. Our Values embody both how we lead and how we behave and form the cornerstone of our culture. We use simple language that resonates from the frontline associate to the most senior levels of the organization, creating shared expectations and accountabilities in how we approach our day-to-day activities. We strive to be a fun, friendly and hardworking group of people who enjoy taking care of our customers, while at the same time taking care of each other.

The table below sets forth a rollforward of company-operated and franchise operated activities:

	Company-			Franchise-Operated								Total
	Operated			Domestic		International			Total			Company
Shops as of December 31, 2017		437			39		16			55			492
Shops opened		2			1		1			2			4
Shops closed		(1	)		—		—			—			(1	)
Shops as of April 1, 2018		438			40		17			57			495
Shops as of December 30, 2018		437			41		8			49			486
Shops opened		1			2		—			2			3
Shops closed		(7	)		—		(1	)		(1	)		(8	)
Shops as of March 31, 2019		431			43		7			50			481

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13 Weeks Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to 13 Weeks Ended April1, 2018

The following table presents information comparing the components of net income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2019			% of Revenues			April 1, 2018			% of Revenues			Increase (Decrease)			Percent Change
Revenues
Sandwich shop sales, net	$	97,258			99.2	%	$	102,247			99.3	%	$	(4,989	)		(4.9	)%
Franchise royalties and fees		829			0.8			670			0.7			159			23.7
Total revenues		98,087			100.0			102,917			100.0			(4,830	)		(4.7	)
Expenses
Sandwich shop operating    expenses
Cost of goods sold, excluding    depreciation		25,978			26.5			26,636			25.9			(658	)		(2.5	)
Labor and related expenses		31,973			32.6			31,579			30.7			394			1.2
Occupancy expenses		14,377			14.7			14,726			14.3			(349	)		(2.4	)
Other operating expenses		12,145			12.4			12,500			12.1			(355	)		(2.8	)
General and administrative    expenses		12,709			13.0			12,188			11.8			521			4.3
Depreciation expense		5,536			5.6			5,826			5.7			(290	)		(5.0	)
Pre-opening costs		10		*				68		*				(58	)		(85.3	)
Impairment and loss on disposal    of property and equipment		82		*				2,024			2.0			(1,942	)		(95.9	)
Total expenses		102,810		>100				105,547		>100				(2,737	)		(2.6	)
Loss from operations		(4,723	)		(4.8	)		(2,630	)		(2.6	)		(2,093	)		79.6
Interest expense		32		*				27		*				5			18.5
Loss before income taxes		(4,755	)		(4.8	)		(2,657	)		(2.6	)		(2,098	)		79.0
Income tax benefit (expense)		13,619			13.9			(504	)		(0.5	)		14,123		>(100)
Net loss		(18,374	)		(18.7	)		(2,153	)		(2.1	)		(16,221	)	>100
Net income attributable to    non-controlling interest		65		*				41		*				24			58.5
Net loss attributable to    Potbelly Corporation	$	(18,439	)		(18.8	)%	$	(2,194	)		(2.1	)%	$	(16,245	)	>100%

* Amount is less than 0.1%

Revenues

Total revenues decreased by $4.8 million, or 4.7%, to $98.1 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $102.9 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The revenue decrease was driven by a $4.7 million, or 4.7%, decrease in sales from company-operated comparable store shops and a decrease in sales of $1.9 million from shops that have closed. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales from shops not yet in our company-operated comparable store sales base and shops that opened in 2019.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold decreased by $0.7 million, or 2.5%, to $26.0 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $26.6 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. As a percentage of revenues, cost of goods sold increased to 26.5% during the 13 weeks ended March 1, 2019, from 25.9% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily driven by higher discounting, partially offset by certain menu price increases.

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Labor and Related Expenses

Labor and related expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 1.2%, to $32.0 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $31.6 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily due to inflationary wage increases in certain states, which was partially offset by a decrease in expense from closed shops. As a percentage of revenues, labor and related expenses increased to 32.6% during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from 30.7% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily driven by inflationary wage increases in certain states, which was partially offset by a decrease in expense from closed shops.

Occupancy Expenses

Occupancy expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 2.4%, to $14.4 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $14.7 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018 primarily due to shop closures, partially offset by inflation in certain occupancy related costs, including lease renewals, real estate taxes and common area maintenance. As a percentage of revenues, occupancy expenses increased to 14.7% during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from 14.3% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily due to sales deleverage and inflation in certain occupancy related costs, including lease renewals, real estate taxes and common area maintenance.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses decreased by $0.4 million, or 2.8%, to $12.1 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $12.5 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in music, supplies, and maintenance, partially offset by an increase in marketing expense. As a percentage of revenues, other operating expenses increased to 12.4% during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from 12.1% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily driven by sales deleverage in operating expense items such as utilities and other expenses not directly variable with sales.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 4.3%, to $12.7 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $12.2 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in store closure and lease exit expenses, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense and performance-based incentive expenses. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 13.0% during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from 11.8% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, primarily due to an increase in store closure and lease exit expenses, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense and performance-based incentive expenses.

Depreciation Expense

Depreciation expense decreased by $0.3 million, or 5.0%, to $5.5 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $5.8 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The decrease was driven primarily by a lower depreciable base related to impairment charges taken subsequent to the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, as well as lower depreciation associated with longer expected useful lives for leasehold improvements at new shops and leasehold improvements at legacy shops with shorter expected useful lives being fully depreciated. These decreases were partially offset by existing shop capital investments and investments in technology such as the mobile application, which increased the depreciable base.As a percentage of revenues, depreciation decreased to 5.6% during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from 5.7% during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. This decrease was driven by a lower depreciable base related to impairment charges taken subsequent to the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, as well as lower depreciation associated with longer expected useful lives for leasehold improvements at new shops and leasehold improvements at legacy shops with shorter expected useful lives being fully depreciated.

Pre-Opening Costs

Pre-opening costs decreased by $0.1 million, or 85.3%, to $10 thousand during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $68 thousand during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The decrease was driven primarily by fewer shops opened during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 compared to the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018.

Impairment and Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment and Right-of-Use Lease Assets

Impairment and loss on disposal of property and equipment and right-of-use lease assets decreased to $0.1 million during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $2.0 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. After performing periodic reviews of Company shops during the first quarter of 2019, it was determined that indicators of impairment were not present for any shops. The Company performs impairment analyses on a quarterly basis, which involve significant judgment by management including estimates of future cash flows and future growth rates, among other assumptions. Based on the Company’s current projections, no impairment beyond what has already been recorded has been identified. However, given the current challenges facing the industry and our business, future evaluations could result in additional impairment charges. The Company recognized a loss on the disposal of property and equipment of $0.1 million.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense was $32 thousand during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and $27 thousand during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018.

Income Tax Benefit

Income tax expense was $13.6 million for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, compared to a benefit of $0.5 million for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The change was primarily attributable to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets recorded by the company during the first quarter of 2019, as a result of the recent changes in projected taxable income for 2019. The Company now estimates it will be in a cumulative loss position as of December 29, 2019.  Therefore, the Company determined that the negative evidence outweighed the positive evidence and, therefore, recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. The Company recorded a non-cash charge to income tax expense of $13.6 million related to the recognition of the valuation allowance and did not provide for an income tax benefit on the pre-tax loss recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This accounting treatment has no effect on the Company’s ability to utilize deferred tax assets to reduce future cash tax payments. The Company will continue to assess the likelihood of the realization of its deferred tax assets at the end of each reporting period and the valuation allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Potbelly’s ongoing primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash provided from operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents and the Company’s credit facility. Potbelly’s primary requirements for liquidity and capital are new shop openings, existing shop capital investments, maintenance, repurchases of Company common stock, lease obligations, working capital and general corporate needs. Potbelly’s requirement for working capital is not significant since the Company’s customers pay for their food and beverage purchases in cash or payment cards (credit or debit) at the time of sale. Thus, Potbelly is able to sell certain inventory items before the Company needs to pay its suppliers for such items. Company shops do not require significant inventories or receivables. Potbelly believes that these sources of liquidity and capital will be sufficient to finance the Company’s continued operations and expansion plans for at least the next twelve months.

The following table presents summary cash flow information for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(2,373	)	$	6,665
Investing activities		(2,572	)		(4,939	)
Financing activities		(999	)		1,680
Net increase (decrease) in cash	$	(5,944	)	$	3,406

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to a usage of $2.4 million for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $6.7 million net cash provided by operating activities for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The $9.0 million decrease was primarily driven by an increase in loss from operations, as well as timing of payment for certain liabilities.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $2.6 million for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, from $4.9 million for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to fewer shops opened and under construction during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 compared to the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018.

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Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.0 million for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, compared to $1.7 million net cash provided by financing activities for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. The change in financing cash was primarily driven by $0.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, compared to $2.3 million during the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018. Additionally, $1.1 million in treasury share repurchases were made during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0.1 million for the same period of 2018.

Stock Repurchase Program

On May 8, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $65.0 million of its outstanding common stock. The program permits the Company, from time to time, to purchase shares in the open market (including in pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or in privately negotiated transactions. Under the current program, during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 135,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $1.1 million, including costs and commissions, in open market transactions. The number of shares of common stock repurchased in the future, and the timing and price of repurchases, will depend upon market conditions, liquidity needs and other factors. Purchases may be started or stopped at any time without prior notice depending on market conditions and other factors. Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of equity.

Credit Facility

The Company entered into an amended and restated five-year revolving credit facility agreement on December 9, 2015, and amended on May 3, 2019, that expires in November 2020. The credit agreement provides, among other things, for a revolving credit facility in a maximum principal amount of $50.0 million, with possible future increases to $75.0 million under an expansion feature. Borrowings under the credit facility generally bear interest at our option at either (i) a eurocurrency rate determined by reference to the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% or (ii) a prime rate as announced by JP Morgan Chase plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.50%. The applicable margin is determined based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. On the last day of each calendar quarter, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.20% per annum in respect of any unused commitments under the credit facility, with the specific rate determined based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. As long as the leverage ratios are met, there is no limit on the “restricted payments” (primarily distributions and equity repurchases) that the Company may make. As of the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the credit facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates include amounts for long-lived assets and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are those that management believes are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company bases estimates on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. Potbelly had no significant changes in our critical accounting estimates since the last annual report. The Company’s critical accounting estimates are identified and described in our annual consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 31, 2019, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, synthetic leases, investments in special purpose entities or undisclosed borrowings or debt that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 303 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

New and Revised Financial Accounting Standards

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recently issued Financial Accounting Standards.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since December 30, 2018.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of March 31, 2019. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information pertaining to legal proceedings is provided in Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

A description of the risk factors associated with our business is contained in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. There have been no material changes to our Risk Factors as previously reported.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table contains information regarding purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of Potbelly Corporation during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share (1)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program (2)		Maximum Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (2)
December 31, 2018 - January 27, 2019		18,000	$	7.99		18,000	$	42,042,300
January 28, 2019 - February 24, 2019		—	$	—		—	$	42,042,300
February 25, 2019 - March 31, 2019		120,048	$	8.52		117,000	$	41,045,173
Total:		138,048				135,000

(1) Average price paid per share excludes commissions.

(2) On May 8, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $65.0 million of its outstanding common stock. The program permits the Company, from time to time, to purchase shares in the open market (including in pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or in privately negotiated transactions. No time limit has been set for the completion of the repurchase program and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. See Note 7 for further information regarding the Company’s stock repurchase program.  

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On May 3, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Amendment"), with Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC (“PSW”), as borrower, Potbelly Illinois, Inc., PSW’s immediate parent corporation, all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), as Administrative Agent, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger.  The Amendment amended that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of December 9, 2015, among the Company, PSW, as borrower, all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Chase, as Administrative Agent, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger.  The Amendment revises certain required total leverage ratios for the periods ending December 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019.

22

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are either provided with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or are incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2019, among Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC, Potbelly Corporation, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

23

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		POTBELLY CORPORATION
Date: May 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
		Thomas Fitzgerald
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

24

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of May 3, 2019 among POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (“Borrower”), the other Loan Parties (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement), the financial institutions listed on the signature pages hereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 9, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Loan Parties desire to amend the Credit Agreement as set forth herein, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, the terms and conditions contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Definitions.  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement that are used herein shall have the same meanings as are set forth in the Credit Agreement for such terms unless otherwise defined herein.

2.Amendment to Credit Agreement.  Upon the occurrence of the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined):

(a)The following defined terms set forth in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement are amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of May 3, 2019, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria).

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any

European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), or (d) any Person otherwise the subject of any Sanctions.

“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.

(b)Section 6.13(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(a)EBITDAR to Interest and Rent Ratio.  The Loan Parties shall not permit the EBITDAR to Interest and Rent Ratio for any Computation Period (other than the Computation Periods ending December 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019) to be less than 1.50 to 1.0.

(c)Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement is amended by adding the following thereto as a new clause (c) thereof:

(c)EBITDA.  The Loan Parties shall not permit EBITDA for the Computation Periods ending December 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019 to be less than $23,000,000.

(d)Clause (ii) of Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or

3.Conditions.  When each of the following conditions has been completely satisfied as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, the amendment set forth in Section 2 of this Amendment shall become effective (the time of such satisfaction being hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Time;” the Effective Time shall be deemed to occur on the date of this Amendment (the “Effective Date”) unless the Administrative Agent provides written notice to the contrary to the Loan Parties):

(a)Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following agreements, instruments and other documents, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

-2-

(i)this Amendment duly executed and delivered by the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent; and

(ii)such other documents, agreements, instruments, certificates, opinions and other items as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with this Amendment.

(b)Representations and Warranties; No Default.  As of the date hereof (and, if different, also as of the Effective Date): (a) the representations and warranties contained herein, in the Credit Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (both immediately before and after giving effect to consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), except to the extent any such representation and warranty expressly refers to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and (b) no Default or Event of Default shall exist.

(c)Proceedings.  All resolutions, consents and other corporate or limited liability company proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and all agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents relating thereto, shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as determined in its sole and absolute discretion, and shall be in full force and effect.

(d)Fees.  All out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid to the Administrative Agent’s special counsel on or prior to the Effective Date shall have been paid in full.

4.Representations and Warranties of the Loan Parties.  Each Loan Party represents and warrants that: (a) the execution and delivery by such Loan Party of this Amendment, each other document, instrument and agreement to be executed and delivered by such Loan Party in connection herewith (this Amendment and such other documents, instruments and agreements are referred to herein, collectively, as the “Amendment Documents”) and the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and the performance of such Loan Party’s obligations hereunder and thereunder: (i) are within the corporate or limited liability company powers of such Loan Party, (ii) are duly authorized by the board of directors or managers of such Loan Party, and, if necessary, the shareholders or members of such Loan Party, (iii) are not in contravention of the terms of such Loan Party’s articles or certificate of incorporation or formation, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational documents, (iv) are not in contravention of the terms of the provisions of any indenture, instrument or agreement to which such Loan Party is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its property, is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default thereunder, or result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the property of such Loan Party pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, instrument or agreement (other than Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Lenders, under the Security Agreement and any other Permitted Encumbrances), (v) do not contravene any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on such Loan Party; and (vi) do not require any order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof; (b) each of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such

-3-

Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as limited by general principles of equity; (c) the Credit Agreement, and each other Loan Document, after giving effect hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles; (d) as of the date hereof, and (after giving effect hereto and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) as of the Effective Date, there exists no Default or Event of Default; (e) no Domestic Subsidiaries have been formed or acquired after December 9, 2015(except for Permitted J/Vs, if any),and (f) all conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Amendment have been satisfied in full (provided that no representation or warranty is made as to the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s acceptance or satisfaction with any matter).  All representations and warranties contained in this Amendment shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

5.Consent of Loan Guarantor.  Each Loan Party (other than Borrower), in its capacity as a Loan Guarantor under Article X of the Credit Agreement, hereby consents to this Amendment and the amendments contained herein and confirms and agrees that, notwithstanding this Amendment and the effectiveness of the amendments contained herein, the Loan Guaranty is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects notwithstanding the terms of this Amendment or any other amendment to the Credit Agreement.  Nothing herein is intended or shall be deemed to limit the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights under the Loan Guaranty to take actions without the consent of any Loan Guarantor.

6.Reference to/Effect on the Credit Agreement, Etc.

(a)On and after the Effective Date: (i) each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein,” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and (ii) each reference to the Credit Agreement in all other Loan Documents shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.

(b)Except as otherwise provided herein, the Credit Agreement, all other Loan Documents, all covenants, representations and warranties made therein, and all other documents, instruments and agreements executed and/or delivered in connection therewith, shall remain in full force and effect, and are hereby reaffirmed, ratified and confirmed.

(c)The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents shall not (i) except as specifically stated herein, amend the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (iii) constitute a waiver of, or consent to any departure from, any provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other documents, instruments and agreements executed or delivered in connection therewith.

(d)Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (i) as of the date hereof (and, if different, also as of the Effective Date), such Loan Party has no defenses, claims or set-offs to the payment of the Secured Obligations or to the enforcement of the Secured Obligations,

-4-

the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; and (ii) the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Lenders, by such Loan Party are and remain valid perfected Liens in the assets of such Loan Party securing the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.

(e)This Amendment and the other Amendment Documents shall each be deemed a Loan Document for the purposes of the Credit Agreement.

7.Miscellaneous.

(a)Choice of Law.  This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (including, without limitation, 735 ILCS Section 105/5-1 et seq., but otherwise without regard to the conflict of laws provisions) of the State of Illinois, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.

(b)Severability. Any provision of any Amendment Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

(c)WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT, ANY OTHER AMENDMENT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

(d)Headings.  Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.

(e)Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed and accepted in any number of counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

[signature page(s) follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement has been duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

LOAN PARTIES:

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, LLC

By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
	Name: Thomas Fitzgerald
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

POTBELLY CORPORATION

By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
	Name: Thomas Fitzgerald
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

POTBELLY ILLINOIS, INC.

By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
	Name: Thomas Fitzgerald
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

POTBELLY FRANCHISING, LLC

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS DC-1, LLC

PSW WEST JACKSON, LLC

PSW 555 TWELFTH STREET, LLC

PSW ROCKVILLE CENTER, LLC

PSW DC ACQUISITION LLC

PSW PBD ACQUISITION LLC

By:	Potbelly Illinois, Inc., as Manager
By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
	Name: Thomas Fitzgerald
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually as

a Lender, and as Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank

By:	/s/ Jonathan M. Deck
	Name: Jonathan M. Deck
	Title: Authorized Officer

CH2\22056094.3

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Alan Johnson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Potbelly Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Alan Johnson
		Alan Johnson
		Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Thomas Fitzgerald, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Potbelly Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
		Thomas Fitzgerald
		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Alan Johnson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Potbelly Corporation (the “Registrant”), and Thomas Fitzgerald, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge on the date hereof:

1. the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Quarterly Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: May 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Alan Johnson
		Alan Johnson
		Chief Executive Officer and President

Date: May 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Thomas Fitzgerald
		Thomas Fitzgerald
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by the Registrant for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 28, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	PBPB
Entity Registrant Name	Potbelly Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0001195734
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,943,564

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,831	$ 19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $65 and $113 as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively	5,548	4,737
Inventories	3,293	3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,920	11,426
Total current assets	32,592	39,420
Property and equipment, net	84,172	87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	222,177
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	3,404	3,404
Goodwill	2,222	2,222
Deferred income taxes		13,385
Deferred expenses, net and other assets	6,963	7,002
Total assets	351,530	153,215
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	3,203	3,835
Accrued expenses	20,062	25,029
Short-term operating lease liabilities	28,768
Accrued income taxes	162	162
Total current liabilities	52,195	29,026
Deferred rent and landlord allowances		22,905
Long-term operating lease liabilities	217,008
Other long-term liabilities	6,239	5,751
Total liabilities	275,442	57,682
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 24,038,211 and 24,142,586 shares as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively	330	330
Additional paid-in-capital	433,400	432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost, 8,939,202 and 8,801,154 shares as of March 31, 2019, and December 30, 2018, respectively	(109,541)	(108,372)
Accumulated deficit	(248,528)	(229,558)
Total stockholders’ equity	75,661	95,171
Non-controlling interest	427	362
Total stockholders' equity	76,088	95,533
Total liabilities and equity	$ 351,530	$ 153,215

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances on accounts receivable	$ 65	$ 113
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, outstanding	24,038,211	24,142,586
Treasury stock, shares	8,939,202	8,801,154

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 98,087	$ 102,917
Sandwich shop operating expenses
Cost of goods sold, excluding depreciation	25,978	26,636
Labor and related expenses	31,973	31,579
Occupancy expenses	14,377	14,726
Other operating expenses	12,145	12,500
General and administrative expenses	12,709	12,188
Depreciation expense	5,536	5,826
Pre-opening costs	10	68
Impairment and loss on disposal of property and equipment	82	2,024
Total expenses	102,810	105,547
Loss from operations	(4,723)	(2,630)
Interest expense	32	27
Loss before income taxes	(4,755)	(2,657)
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,619	(504)
Net loss	(18,374)	(2,153)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	65	41
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$ (18,439)	$ (2,194)
Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$ (0.76)	$ (0.09)
Diluted	$ (0.76)	$ (0.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	24,133,038	25,144,855
Diluted	24,133,038	25,144,855
Product [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 97,258	$ 102,247
Franchise Royalties And Fees [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 829	$ 670

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in-Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 117,238	$ 318	$ (85,262)	$ 421,657	$ (219,990)	$ 515
Beginning balance, common shares at Dec. 31, 2017		24,999,688
Cumulative impact | ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606) [Member]	(690)				(690)
Net income (loss)	(2,153)				(2,194)	41
Stock-based compensation plans	2,255	$ 3		2,252
Stock-based compensation plans, shares		300,312
Repurchases of common stock	(63)		(63)
Repurchases of common stock, shares		(5,000)
Treasury shares used for stock-based plans	(116)		(116)
Treasury shares used for stock-based plans, shares		(8,771)
Amortization of stock-based compensation	862			862
Ending balance at Apr. 01, 2018	117,333	$ 321	(85,441)	424,771	(222,874)	556
Ending balance, common shares at Apr. 01, 2018		25,286,229
Beginning balance at Dec. 30, 2018	$ 95,533	$ 330	(108,372)	432,771	(229,558)	362
Beginning balance, common shares at Dec. 30, 2018	24,142,586	24,142,586
Cumulative impact | ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]	$ (531)				(531)
Net income (loss)	(18,374)				(18,439)	65
Stock-based compensation plans	170			170
Stock-based compensation plans, shares		33,673
Repurchases of common stock	(1,144)		(1,144)
Repurchases of common stock, shares		(135,000)
Treasury shares used for stock-based plans	(25)		(25)
Treasury shares used for stock-based plans, shares		(3,048)
Amortization of stock-based compensation	459			459
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 76,088	$ 330	$ (109,541)	$ 433,400	$ (248,528)	$ 427
Ending balance, common shares at Mar. 31, 2019	24,038,211	24,038,211

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]
Cumulative impact tax	$ 196

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (18,374)	$ (2,153)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	5,536	5,826
Noncash lease expense	7,829
Deferred income tax	13,580
Deferred rent and landlord allowances		(23)
Amortization of stock compensation expense	459	862
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based compensation		122
Asset impairment, store closure and disposal of property and equipment	87	2,381
Amortization of debt issuance costs	9	9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(811)	(41)
Inventories	189	68
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,455	207
Accounts payable	(130)	(241)
Operating lease liabilities	(7,860)
Accrued and other liabilities	(4,342)	(352)
Net cash provided by operating activities:	(2,373)	6,665
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,572)	(4,939)
Net cash used in investing activities:	(2,572)	(4,939)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	170	2,255
Employee taxes on certain stock-based payment arrangements	(25)	(512)
Treasury stock repurchases	(1,144)	(63)
Net cash used in financing activities:	(999)	1,680
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,944)	3,406
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,775	25,530
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	13,831	28,936
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	4
Interest paid	24	19
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unpaid liability for purchases of property and equipment	$ 161	$ 1,234

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Organization and Other Matters

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Other Matters

(1) Organization and Other Matters

Business

Potbelly Corporation (the “Company” or “Potbelly”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns or operates more than 400 company-owned shops in the United States. Additionally, Potbelly franchisees operate approximately 50 shops domestically and in the Middle East.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Potbelly Corporation and its subsidiaries and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2018. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature (except as otherwise noted), that are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, its statement of operations for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 and its statement of cash flows for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 have been included. The consolidated statements of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income recorded within its consolidated financial statements and therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Potbelly Corporation; its wholly owned subsidiary, Potbelly Illinois, Inc. (“PII”); PII’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Potbelly Franchising, LLC and Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC (“LLC”); seven of LLC’s wholly owned subsidiaries and LLC’s seven joint ventures, collectively, the “Company.” All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For consolidated joint ventures, non-controlling interest represents a non-controlling partner’s share of the assets, liabilities and operations related to the seven joint venture investments. The Company has ownership interests ranging from 51-80% in these consolidated joint ventures.

Fiscal Year

The Company uses a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar period. Approximately every five or six years a 53rd week is added. Fiscal year 2019 and 2018 both consist of 52 weeks. The fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 each consisted of 13 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates include amounts for long-lived assets and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On December 31, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” along with related clarifications and improvements. This pronouncement requires lessees to recognize a liability for lease obligations, which represents the discounted obligation to make future lease payments, and a corresponding right-of-use asset on the balance sheet. The guidance requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements that is intended to give financial statement users the ability to assess the amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of cash flows related to leases. We elected the optional transition method to apply the standard as of the effective date and therefore, prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under previous lease guidance, ASC Topic 840: Leases (Topic 840). The adoption of Topic 842 had a material impact on the consolidated balance sheets and an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of equity and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our practical expedients were as follows:

	Implications as of December 31, 2018
Practical expedient package	We have not reassessed whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases.
	We have not reassessed the lease classification for any expired or existing leases.
	We have not reassessed initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases.
Hindsight practical expedient	We have not elected the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of operating lease assets.

The impact on the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:

				Adjustments Due
	December 30,			to the Adoption of			December 31,
	2018			Topic 842			2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,775		$	—		$	19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018		4,737			—			4,737
Inventories		3,482			—			3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,426			—			11,426
Total current assets		39,420			—			39,420
Property and equipment, net		87,782			—			87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		—			232,477			232,477
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404			—			3,404
Goodwill		2,222			—			2,222
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent		13,385			195			13,580
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		7,002			—			7,002
Total assets	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,835		$	—		$	3,835
Accrued expenses(1)		25,029			(1,124	)		23,905
Short-term operating lease liabilities		—			28,826			28,826
Accrued income taxes		162			—			162
Total current liabilities		29,026			27,702			56,728
Deferred rent and landlord allowances(1)		22,905			(22,905	)		—
Long-term operating lease liabilities		—			228,406			228,406
Other long-term liabilities		5,751			—			5,751
Total liabilities		57,682			233,203			290,885
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares;    outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018		330			—			330
Additional paid-in-capital		432,771			—			432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost,  8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018		(108,372	)		—			(108,372	)
Accumulated deficit(2)		(229,558	)		(531	)		(230,089	)
Total stockholders’ equity		95,171			(531	)		94,640
Non-controlling interest		362			—			362
Total stockholders' equity		95,533			(531	)		95,002
Total liabilities and equity	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887

(1) Adjustment to reclassify deferred rent and tenant improvement allowance to right-of-use assets for operating leases upon the adoption of Topic 842.

(2) The Company recorded a net reduction of $0.5 million to opening accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 842.

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Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Revenue

(2) Revenue

Potbelly primarily earns revenue at a point in time through sales at our sandwich shop locations and records such revenue net of sales-related taxes collected from customers. The payment on these sales is due at the time of the customer’s purchase. The Company also receives royalties from franchisees on their respective sales, which are recognized at the point in time the sale is made and invoiced weekly. Potbelly also records revenue from sales over time related to upfront franchise fees, gift card redemptions and breakage. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, revenue recognized from all revenue sources on point in time sales was $97.8 million, and revenue recognized from sales over time was $0.3 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, revenue recognized from all revenue sources on point in time sales was $102.7 million, and revenue recognized from sales over time was $0.2 million.

Franchise Revenue

Potbelly licenses intellectual property and trademarks to franchisees through franchise agreements. As part of these franchise agreements, Potbelly receives an upfront payment from the franchisee, which the Company recognizes over the term of the franchise agreement. The Company records a contract liability for the unearned portion of the upfront franchise payments.

Gift Card Redemptions / Breakage Revenue

Potbelly sells gift cards to customers, records the sale as a contract liability and recognizes the associated revenue as the gift card is redeemed. A portion of these gift cards are not redeemed by the customer, which is recognized by the Company as revenue as a percentage of customers gift card redemptions. The expected breakage amount recognized is determined by a historical data analysis on gift card redemption patterns.

Contract Liabilities

As described above, the Company records current and noncurrent contract liabilities for upfront franchise fees as well as gift cards. There are no other contract liabilities or contract assets recorded by the Company. The opening and closing balances of the Company’s current and noncurrent contract liabilities from contracts with customers were as follows:

	Current Contract Liability			Noncurrent Contract Liability
	(Thousands)			(Thousands)
Beginning balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(2,184	)	$	(1,631	)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2019		(1,495	)		(2,076	)
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability	$	(689	)	$	445

The aggregate value of remaining performance obligations on outstanding contracts was $3.6 million as of March 31, 2019. The Company expects to recognize revenue related to contract liabilities as follows (in thousands), which may vary based upon franchise activity as well as gift card redemption patterns:

Years Ending	Amount
2019	$	1,124
2020		525
2021		185
2022		176
2023		169
Thereafter		1,392
Total revenue recognized	$	3,571

For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the amount of revenue recognized related to the December 31, 2018 liability ending balance was $0.8 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the amount of revenue recognized related to the January 1, 2018 liability ending balance was $0.9 million. This revenue related to the recognition of gift card redemptions and upfront franchise fees. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company did not recognize any revenue from obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in prior periods.

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Fair Value Measurement

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

(3) Fair Value Measurement

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and all other current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short maturities of these balances.

The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived assets, which includes property and equipment and lease right-of-use assets, on a quarterly basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Shop-level assets and right-of-use assets are grouped at the individual shop-level for the purpose of the impairment assessment. Recoverability of an asset group is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. The fair value of the shop assets is determined using the discounted future cash flow method of anticipated cash flows through the shop’s lease-end date using fair value measurement inputs classified as Level 3. The fair value of right-of-use assets is estimated using market comparative information for similar properties. Level 3 inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. At transition of adoption to ASC 842, the Company impaired $0.7 million of pre-tax right-of-use assets related to previously impaired shops. This amount is recorded, net of tax, as an opening reduction to retained earnings. After performing a periodic review of the Company’s shops during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, it was determined that there were no indicators of impairment for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and accordingly, the Company recorded no impairment charge for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.0 million for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets recognized or disclosed at fair value on the consolidated financial statements on a nonrecurring basis include items such as leasehold improvements, property and equipment, operating lease assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired.

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Loss Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Loss Per Share

(4) Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted income per common share attributable to common stockholders are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of fully diluted common shares outstanding. In periods of a net loss, no potential common shares are included in diluted shares outstanding as the effect is anti-dilutive. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, and April 1, 2018, the Company had a loss per share, and therefore potentially diluted shares were excluded from the calculation.

The following table summarizes the loss per share calculation:

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	(18,439	)	$	(2,194	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic		24,133,038			25,144,855
Plus: Effect of potential stock options exercise		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted		24,133,038			25,144,855
Loss per share available to common stockholders-basic	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Loss per share available to common stockholders-diluted	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Potentially dilutive shares that are considered anti-dilutive:
Common share options		2,386,820			3,101,447

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

(5) Income Taxes

Our interim tax provision is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate and adjusted for discrete taxable events that occur during the quarter. The difference between the effective tax rate in Q1 2019 and Q1 2018 is the recording of the valuation allowance in Q1 2019.

The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets, which includes consideration of both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of such deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of the available evidence, whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized.  In its assessment, the Company considered recent financial operating results, the change in projected future taxable income for fiscal year 2019, the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, and tax planning strategies.  As a result of the recent changes in the projected taxable income for 2019, the Company now estimates it will be in a cumulative loss position as of December 29, 2019.  Therefore, the Company determined that the negative evidence outweighed the positive evidence and, therefore, recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. The Company recorded a non-cash charge to income tax expense of $13.6 million related to the recognition of the valuation allowance and did not provide for an income tax benefit on the pre-tax loss recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019. This accounting treatment has no effect on the Company’s ability to utilize deferred tax assets to reduce future cash tax payments. The Company will continue to assess the likelihood of the realization of its deferred tax assets at the end of each reporting period and the valuation allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

(6) Leases

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. The Company leases retail shops, warehouse and office space under operating leases. For leases with renewal periods at the Company’s option, the Company determines the expected lease period based on whether the renewal of any options are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs, lease incentives, and impairment of operating lease assets. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental secured borrowing rates corresponding to the maturities of the leases. As we have no outstanding debt nor committed credit facilities, secured or otherwise, we estimate this rate based on prevailing financial market conditions, comparable company and credit analysis, and management judgment.

We recognize expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, tenant incentives used to fund leasehold improvements are recognized when earned and reduce our right-of-use asset related to the lease. These are amortized through the right-of-use asset as reductions of expense over the lease term.

Related to the adoption of Topic 842, our policy elections were as follows:

Separation of lease and non-lease components

We elected this expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for our entire population of operating lease assets.

Short-term policy

We have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all applicable classes of underlying assets. Short-term disclosures include only those leases with a term greater than one month and 12 months or less, and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise, are not recorded on the balance sheet.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

		March 31,
Operating Leases	Classification	2019
Right-of-use assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	222,177
Short-term lease liabilities	Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,768
Long-term lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities		217,008
Total lease liabilities			245,776

Operating lease term and discount rate were as follows:

	March 31,
	2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)	8.90
Weighted average discount rate		8.01	%

Certain of the Company’s operating lease agreements include variable payments that are passed through by the landlord, such as common area maintenance and real estate taxes, as well as variable payments based on percentage rent for certain of our shops.  Pass-through charges and payments based on percentage rent are included within variable lease cost. The components of lease cost were as follows:

		13 weeks ending
		March 31,
	Classification	2019
Operating lease cost	Occupancy and General and administrative expenses		10,995
Variable lease cost	Occupancy		3,504
Total lease cost		$	14,499

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows:

	13 weeks ending
	March 31,
	2019
Operating cash flows rent paid for operating lease liabilities		11,938
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		922

As of March 31, 2019, the Company has additional operating leases related to shops not yet open of $1.6 million. These operating leases will commence during fiscal year 2019 with lease terms of 7 years.

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of March 31, 2019:

	Operating Leases
Remainder of 2019		35,277
2020		45,402
2021		41,183
2022		36,002
2023		31,111
Thereafter		164,475
Total lease payments		353,450
Less: imputed interest		(107,674	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	245,776

As previously disclosed in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the previous lease accounting, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of December 30, 2018:

	Operating Leases
2019		47,918
2020		45,828
2021		41,497
2022		36,120
2023		31,060
Thereafter		138,928
Total minimum lease payments		341,351

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Capital Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Capital Stock

(7) Capital Stock

On May 8, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $65.0 million of its outstanding common stock. The program permits the Company, from time to time, to purchase shares in the open market (including in pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or in privately negotiated transactions.  The number of common shares actually repurchased, and the timing and price of repurchases, will depend upon market conditions, Securities and Exchange Commission requirements and other factors. Purchases may be started or stopped at any time without prior notice depending on market conditions and other factors.  For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 135,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $1.1 million under the stock repurchase program, including cost and commission, in open market transactions.  Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of equity.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

(8) Stock-Based Compensation

Stock options

Stock options are awarded under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan to eligible employees and certain non-employee members of the Board of Directors. On June 14, 2018, the Company registered an additional 1,000,000 shares of its common stock reserved for issuance under the Potbelly Corporation Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”) and brings the total number of shares registered under the plan to 3,500,000. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. There were no stock options granted during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019.

A summary of stock option activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares (Thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (Thousands)		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
Outstanding—December 30, 2018		2,150		$	11.49	$	378		5.13
Granted		—			—
Exercised		(21	)		7.92
Canceled		(173	)		13.55
Outstanding—March 31, 2019		1,956		$	11.34	$	620		5.31
Exercisable—March 31, 2019		1,511		$	11.01	$	620		4.33

Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite employee service period, which is generally the vesting period of the grant with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $0.3 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $0.8 million. As of March 31, 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $1.6 million, which will be recognized through fiscal year 2022. The Company records stock-based compensation expense within general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted stock units

The Company awards restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees of the Company and certain non-employee members of its Board of Directors. The Board of Director grants have a vesting schedule of 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date. The employee grants vest in one-third increments over a three-year period. For the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs of $0.2 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 1, 2018, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs of $0.1 million. As of March 31, 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for RSUs was $2.4 million, which will be recognized though fiscal year 2022.

A summary of RSU activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

RSUs	Number of RSUs			Weighted Average Fair Value per Share
Non-vested as of December 30, 2018		247		$	11.99
Granted		194			8.46
Vested		(10	)		8.52
Canceled		—			—
Non-vested as of March 31, 2019		431		$	10.43

Performance stock units

The Company awards performance share units (“PSUs”) to eligible employees under the 2013 LTIP that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions. In March of 2019 the Company issued 188,414 PSUs with a grant date fair value of $8.46 per share. The PSUs will vest based on the Company’s achievement of certain targets related to adjusted EBITDA and same store sales goals. The PSUs will vest fully on the third anniversary of the grant date. The quantity of shares that will vest ranges from 0% to 200% of the targeted number of shares. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will vest. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company recognized less than $0.1 million of expense associated with the PSUs.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(9) Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities, such as employment-related claims and slip and fall cases, which arise in the ordinary course of business and are generally covered by insurance. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to those actions should not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations and cash flows.

In October 2017, plaintiffs filed a purported collective and class action lawsuit (the “Complaint”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). The plaintiffs allege that the Company violated the FLSA and NYLL by not paying overtime compensation to our assistant managers and violated NYLL by not paying spread-of-hours pay. The Complaint was brought as a nationwide “collective action” under the FLSA and as a “class action” under NYLL. Since the filing of the Complaint, the plaintiffs filed a proposed amended complaint removing the NYLL class claim, but adding a proposed Illinois state law class action. The Court has not ruled on whether to permit this amendment. The Company believes the assistant managers were properly classified under state and federal law. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.

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Organization and Other Matters (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business

Business

Potbelly Corporation (the “Company” or “Potbelly”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns or operates more than 400 company-owned shops in the United States. Additionally, Potbelly franchisees operate approximately 50 shops domestically and in the Middle East.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Potbelly Corporation and its subsidiaries and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2018. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature (except as otherwise noted), that are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, its statement of operations for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 and its statement of cash flows for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 have been included. The consolidated statements of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income recorded within its consolidated financial statements and therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Potbelly Corporation; its wholly owned subsidiary, Potbelly Illinois, Inc. (“PII”); PII’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Potbelly Franchising, LLC and Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC (“LLC”); seven of LLC’s wholly owned subsidiaries and LLC’s seven joint ventures, collectively, the “Company.” All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For consolidated joint ventures, non-controlling interest represents a non-controlling partner’s share of the assets, liabilities and operations related to the seven joint venture investments. The Company has ownership interests ranging from 51-80% in these consolidated joint ventures.

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

The Company uses a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar period. Approximately every five or six years a 53rd week is added. Fiscal year 2019 and 2018 both consist of 52 weeks. The fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018 each consisted of 13 weeks.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates include amounts for long-lived assets and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On December 31, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” along with related clarifications and improvements. This pronouncement requires lessees to recognize a liability for lease obligations, which represents the discounted obligation to make future lease payments, and a corresponding right-of-use asset on the balance sheet. The guidance requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements that is intended to give financial statement users the ability to assess the amount, timing, and potential uncertainty of cash flows related to leases. We elected the optional transition method to apply the standard as of the effective date and therefore, prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under previous lease guidance, ASC Topic 840: Leases (Topic 840). The adoption of Topic 842 had a material impact on the consolidated balance sheets and an immaterial impact on the consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of equity and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our practical expedients were as follows:

	Implications as of December 31, 2018
Practical expedient package	We have not reassessed whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases.
	We have not reassessed the lease classification for any expired or existing leases.
	We have not reassessed initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases.
Hindsight practical expedient	We have not elected the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of operating lease assets.

The impact on the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:

				Adjustments Due
	December 30,			to the Adoption of			December 31,
	2018			Topic 842			2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,775		$	—		$	19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018		4,737			—			4,737
Inventories		3,482			—			3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,426			—			11,426
Total current assets		39,420			—			39,420
Property and equipment, net		87,782			—			87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		—			232,477			232,477
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404			—			3,404
Goodwill		2,222			—			2,222
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent		13,385			195			13,580
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		7,002			—			7,002
Total assets	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,835		$	—		$	3,835
Accrued expenses(1)		25,029			(1,124	)		23,905
Short-term operating lease liabilities		—			28,826			28,826
Accrued income taxes		162			—			162
Total current liabilities		29,026			27,702			56,728
Deferred rent and landlord allowances(1)		22,905			(22,905	)		—
Long-term operating lease liabilities		—			228,406			228,406
Other long-term liabilities		5,751			—			5,751
Total liabilities		57,682			233,203			290,885
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares;    outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018		330			—			330
Additional paid-in-capital		432,771			—			432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost,  8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018		(108,372	)		—			(108,372	)
Accumulated deficit(2)		(229,558	)		(531	)		(230,089	)
Total stockholders’ equity		95,171			(531	)		94,640
Non-controlling interest		362			—			362
Total stockholders' equity		95,533			(531	)		95,002
Total liabilities and equity	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887

(1) Adjustment to reclassify deferred rent and tenant improvement allowance to right-of-use assets for operating leases upon the adoption of Topic 842.

(2) The Company recorded a net reduction of $0.5 million to opening accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 842.

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Organization and Other Matters (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]

New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Schedule of Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheet

The impact on the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:

				Adjustments Due
	December 30,			to the Adoption of			December 31,
	2018			Topic 842			2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,775		$	—		$	19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018		4,737			—			4,737
Inventories		3,482			—			3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,426			—			11,426
Total current assets		39,420			—			39,420
Property and equipment, net		87,782			—			87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		—			232,477			232,477
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404			—			3,404
Goodwill		2,222			—			2,222
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent		13,385			195			13,580
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		7,002			—			7,002
Total assets	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,835		$	—		$	3,835
Accrued expenses(1)		25,029			(1,124	)		23,905
Short-term operating lease liabilities		—			28,826			28,826
Accrued income taxes		162			—			162
Total current liabilities		29,026			27,702			56,728
Deferred rent and landlord allowances(1)		22,905			(22,905	)		—
Long-term operating lease liabilities		—			228,406			228,406
Other long-term liabilities		5,751			—			5,751
Total liabilities		57,682			233,203			290,885
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares;    outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018		330			—			330
Additional paid-in-capital		432,771			—			432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost,  8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018		(108,372	)		—			(108,372	)
Accumulated deficit(2)		(229,558	)		(531	)		(230,089	)
Total stockholders’ equity		95,171			(531	)		94,640
Non-controlling interest		362			—			362
Total stockholders' equity		95,533			(531	)		95,002
Total liabilities and equity	$	153,215		$	232,672		$	385,887

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Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Summary of Current and Noncurrent Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers

The opening and closing balances of the Company’s current and noncurrent contract liabilities from contracts with customers were as follows:

	Current Contract Liability			Noncurrent Contract Liability
	(Thousands)			(Thousands)
Beginning balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(2,184	)	$	(1,631	)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2019		(1,495	)		(2,076	)
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability	$	(689	)	$	445

Summary of Expected Revenue Recognition Related to Contract Liabilities

The Company expects to recognize revenue related to contract liabilities as follows (in thousands), which may vary based upon franchise activity as well as gift card redemption patterns:

Years Ending	Amount
2019	$	1,124
2020		525
2021		185
2022		176
2023		169
Thereafter		1,392
Total revenue recognized	$	3,571

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Loss Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Loss Per Share Calculation

The following table summarizes the loss per share calculation:

	For the 13 Weeks Ended
	March 31,			April 1,
	2019			2018
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$	(18,439	)	$	(2,194	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic		24,133,038			25,144,855
Plus: Effect of potential stock options exercise		—			—
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted		24,133,038			25,144,855
Loss per share available to common stockholders-basic	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Loss per share available to common stockholders-diluted	$	(0.76	)	$	(0.09	)
Potentially dilutive shares that are considered anti-dilutive:
Common share options		2,386,820			3,101,447

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

		March 31,
Operating Leases	Classification	2019
Right-of-use assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	222,177
Short-term lease liabilities	Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,768
Long-term lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities		217,008
Total lease liabilities			245,776

Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate

Operating lease term and discount rate were as follows:

	March 31,
	2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)	8.90
Weighted average discount rate		8.01	%

Components of Lease Cost

Certain of the Company’s operating lease agreements include variable payments that are passed through by the landlord, such as common area maintenance and real estate taxes, as well as variable payments based on percentage rent for certain of our shops.  Pass-through charges and payments based on percentage rent are included within variable lease cost. The components of lease cost were as follows:

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows:

	13 weeks ending
	March 31,
	2019
Operating cash flows rent paid for operating lease liabilities		11,938
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		922

Maturities of Lease Liabilities

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of March 31, 2019:

	Operating Leases
Remainder of 2019		35,277
2020		45,402
2021		41,183
2022		36,002
2023		31,111
Thereafter		164,475
Total lease payments		353,450
Less: imputed interest		(107,674	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	245,776

Maturities of Lease Liabilities Under the Previous Lease Accounting

As previously disclosed in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the previous lease accounting, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of December 30, 2018:

	Operating Leases
2019		47,918
2020		45,828
2021		41,497
2022		36,120
2023		31,060
Thereafter		138,928
Total minimum lease payments		341,351

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Stock Option Activity

A summary of stock option activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares (Thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (Thousands)		Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years)
Outstanding—December 30, 2018		2,150		$	11.49	$	378		5.13
Granted		—			—
Exercised		(21	)		7.92
Canceled		(173	)		13.55
Outstanding—March 31, 2019		1,956		$	11.34	$	620		5.31
Exercisable—March 31, 2019		1,511		$	11.01	$	620		4.33

Summary of RSU Activity

A summary of RSU activity for the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

RSUs	Number of RSUs			Weighted Average Fair Value per Share
Non-vested as of December 30, 2018		247		$	11.99
Granted		194			8.46
Vested		(10	)		8.52
Canceled		—			—
Non-vested as of March 31, 2019		431		$	10.43

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Organization and Other Matters - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 Shop Subsidiary JointVenture
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries | Subsidiary	7
Number of joint ventures | JointVenture	7
Lease, practical expedients, package	false
Lease, practical expedient, use of hindsight	false
Minimum [Member]
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of shops Potbelly Corporation owns or operates	400
Ownership interest rate	51.00%
Maximum [Member]
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Ownership interest rate	80.00%
Middle East [Member]
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of shops franchisees operate	50

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Organization and Other Matters - Schedule of Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,831		$ 19,775	$ 28,936	$ 25,530
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018	5,548		4,737
Inventories	3,293		3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,920		11,426
Total current assets	32,592		39,420
Property and equipment, net	84,172		87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	222,177
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	3,404		3,404
Goodwill	2,222		2,222
Deferred income taxes			13,385
Deferred expenses, net and other assets	6,963		7,002
Total assets	351,530		153,215
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	3,203		3,835
Accrued expenses	20,062		25,029
Short-term operating lease liabilities	28,768
Accrued income taxes	162		162
Total current liabilities	52,195		29,026
Deferred rent and landlord allowances			22,905
Long-term operating lease liabilities	217,008
Other long-term liabilities	6,239		5,751
Total liabilities	275,442		57,682
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018	330		330
Additional paid-in-capital	433,400		432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost, 8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018	(109,541)		(108,372)
Accumulated deficit	(248,528)		(229,558)
Total stockholders’ equity	75,661		95,171
Non-controlling interest	427		362
Total stockholders' equity	76,088		95,533	$ 117,333	$ 117,238
Total liabilities and equity	$ 351,530		$ 153,215
ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 19,775
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $113 as of December 30, 2018		4,737
Inventories		3,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,426
Total current assets		39,420
Property and equipment, net		87,782
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		232,477
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		3,404
Goodwill		2,222
Deferred income taxes		13,580
Deferred expenses, net and other assets		7,002
Total assets		385,887
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		3,835
Accrued expenses		23,905
Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,826
Accrued income taxes		162
Total current liabilities		56,728
Long-term operating lease liabilities		228,406
Other long-term liabilities		5,751
Total liabilities		290,885
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 24,142,586 shares as of December 30, 2018		330
Additional paid-in-capital		432,771
Treasury stock, held at cost, 8,801,154 shares as of December 30, 2018		(108,372)
Accumulated deficit		(230,089)
Total stockholders’ equity		94,640
Non-controlling interest		362
Total stockholders' equity		95,002
Total liabilities and equity		385,887
Adjustments Due to the Adoption of Topic 842 | ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]
Current assets
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		232,477
Deferred income taxes		195
Total assets		232,672
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses		(1,124)
Short-term operating lease liabilities		28,826
Total current liabilities		27,702
Deferred rent and landlord allowances		(22,905)
Long-term operating lease liabilities		228,406
Total liabilities		233,203
Stockholders’ equity
Accumulated deficit		(531)
Total stockholders’ equity		(531)
Total stockholders' equity		(531)
Total liabilities and equity		$ 232,672

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Organization and Other Matters - Schedule of Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2018
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Allowances on accounts receivable	$ 65		$ 113
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	200,000,000		200,000,000
Common stock, outstanding	24,038,211		24,142,586
Treasury stock, shares	8,939,202		8,801,154
ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842) [Member]
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Net reduction to opening accumulated deficit		$ 500

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Revenue - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Amount of revenue recognized	$ 98,087,000	$ 102,917,000
Aggregate value of remaining performance obligation on outstanding contracts	3,571,000
Revenue recognized related to prior periods	0	0
January 1, 2018 Liability Ending Balance [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Amount of revenue recognized	800,000	900,000
Point in Time Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Amount of revenue recognized	97,800,000	102,700,000
Over Time Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Amount of revenue recognized	$ 300,000	$ 200,000

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Revenue - Summary of Current and Noncurrent Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Beginning balance of current contract liability	$ (2,184)
Ending balance of current contract liability	(1,495)
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability	(689)
Beginning balance of noncurrent contract liability	(1,631)
Ending balance of noncurrent contract liability	(2,076)
Increase (Decrease) in contract liability	$ 445

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Revenue - Summary of Expected Revenue Recognition Related to Contract Liabilities (Detail1) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 3,571
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2019-04-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 1,124
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 525
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 185
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 176
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 169
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 1,392
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period

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Revenue - Summary of Expected Revenue Recognition Related to Contract Liabilities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligations	$ 3,571

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Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 0.0	$ 2.0
ASU 2016-02
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired pre-tax right-of-use assets related to previously impaired shops	$ 0.7

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Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 shares
Common Share Options [Member]
Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potential common shares included in diluted shares outstanding	0

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Loss Per Share - Summary of Loss Per Share Calculation (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Potbelly Corporation	$ (18,439)	$ (2,194)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	24,133,038	25,144,855
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	24,133,038	25,144,855
Loss per share available to common stockholders-basic	$ (0.76)	$ (0.09)
Loss per share available to common stockholders-diluted	$ (0.76)	$ (0.09)
Common Share Options [Member]
Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares that are considered anti-dilutive	2,386,820	3,101,447

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 13,619	$ 13,600	$ (504)

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Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Right-of-use assets	$ 222,177
Short-term lease liabilities	28,768
Long-term lease liabilities	217,008
Total lease liabilities	$ 245,776

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Leases - Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)	8 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average discount rate	8.01%

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Leases - Components of Lease Cost (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Total lease cost	$ 14,499
Occupancy and General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	10,995
Occupancy Expenses [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Variable lease cost	$ 3,504

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Leases - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating cash flows rent paid for operating lease liabilities	$ 11,938
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 922

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Leases - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Additional operating leases related to shops not yet open, amount	$ 1.6
Additional operating leases related to shops not yet commence, term	7 years

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Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Operating Leases
Remainder of 2019	$ 35,277
2020	45,402
2021	41,183
2022	36,002
2023	31,111
Thereafter	164,475
Total lease payments	353,450
Less: imputed interest	(107,674)
Present value of lease liabilities	$ 245,776

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Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities Under the Previous Lease Accounting (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Operating Leases
2019	$ 47,918
2020	45,828
2021	41,497
2022	36,120
2023	31,060
Thereafter	138,928
Total minimum lease payments	$ 341,351

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Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018	May 08, 2018
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount			$ 65,000,000
Common stock repurchased value	$ 1,144,000	$ 63,000
Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Common stock shares repurchased	135,000
Common stock repurchased value	$ 1,100,000

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Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018	Jun. 14, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized stock-based compensation expense		$ 459	$ 862
Stock units issued		194,000
Stock units issued, grant-date fair value		$ 8.46
Common Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized stock-based compensation expense		$ 300	800
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	$ 1,600	$ 1,600
Unrecognized stock compensation expense, recognition period		2022
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Non-Employee Board Of Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized stock-based compensation expense		$ 200	$ 100
Unrecognized stock compensation expense	$ 2,400	$ 2,400
Vesting description		The employee grants vest in one-third increments over a three-year period.
Options vesting period		3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Non-Employee Board Of Directors [Member] | First Anniversary [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		50.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Non-Employee Board Of Directors [Member] | Second Anniversary [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		50.00%
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting description		The PSUs will vest fully on the third anniversary of the grant date. The quantity of shares that will vest ranges from 0% to 200% of the targeted number of shares. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will vest.
Stock units issued	188,414
Stock units issued, grant-date fair value	$ 8.46
Performance Shares | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of targeted number of shares	0.00%
Performance Shares | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 100
Vesting percentage of targeted number of shares	20000.00%
2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional shares of common stock reserved for issuance				1,000,000
Total number of shares registered				3,500,000
Method used to determine fair value of the options		Black-Scholes option pricing model
Stock options granted		0

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Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Options outstanding shares, beginning balance	2,150
Options, exercised	(21)
Options, canceled	(173)
Options outstanding shares, ending balance	1,956	2,150
Options outstanding shares, exercisable	1,511
Options outstanding weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	$ 11.49
Options, weighted average exercise price, exercised	7.92
Options, weighted average exercise price, canceled	13.55
Options outstanding weighted average exercise price, ending balance	11.34	$ 11.49
Options outstanding weighted average exercise price, exercisable	$ 11.01
Options outstanding aggregate intrinsic value	$ 620	$ 378
Options exercisable aggregate intrinsic value	$ 620
Option outstanding weighted average remaining term	5 years 3 months 21 days	5 years 1 month 17 days
Options exercisable weighted average remaining term	4 years 3 months 29 days

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Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of RSU Activity (Detail) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 $ / shares shares
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Number of RSUs, Non-vested, beginning balance | shares	247
Number of RSUs, Granted | shares	194
Number of RSUs, Vested | shares	(10)
Number of RSUs, Non-vested, ending balance | shares	431
Weighted Average Fair Value per Share, Non-vested, beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 11.99
Weighted Average Fair Value per Share, Granted | $ / shares	8.46
Weighted Average Fair Value per Share, Vested | $ / shares	8.52
Weighted Average Fair Value per Share, Non-vested, ending balance | $ / shares	$ 10.43

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Commitment and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purported collective and class action lawsuit filed date	October 2017