In 1996, fueled by a powerful combination of intense taste buds
and the desire to spread the love of the growing Potbelly fans,
proven entrepreneur, Bryant Keil, acquired Potbelly Sandwich
Works, a unique and wonderful neighborhood sandwich joint
located on Chicago's Lincoln Avenue. Since 1996, Bryant has
grown Potbelly from the one store on Lincoln Avenue, to include
over 200 stores in Chicagoland, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Dallas and the Washington, D.C. area.
While Potbelly stores are
popping up everywhere, Bryant is dedicated to preserving the
individuality of each store in an attempt to keep Potbelly from
becoming just another fast food chain.
Although Bryant takes a
low-key approach to building the business, the outside world has
taken notice of the success of Potbelly. Bryant is the 2007
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient. He was
named the 2003 Illinois Restaurateur of the Year by the Illinois
Restaurant Association. Crain's Chicago Business tapped Keil as
one of its "40 under 40" young business leaders, INC Magazine
listed Potbelly as one of our nation's 500 fastest growing
companies and Crain's listed Potbelly as the 8th fastest growing
company in Chicago. Bryant was recently named a Henry Crown
Fellow, a part of the Aspen Institute. Among his other
accomplishments are his involvement in investment and
entrepreneurial ventures, primarily focused in the hospitality
industry.
Bryant is an active member in several community and
volunteer organizations including the Economic Club of Chicago,
The Young Presidents Organization, Kohl Children’s Museum, Best
Buddies, and the 2016 Olympic Committee.