OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Chicago-spawned “neighborhood sandwich shop” franchise Potbelly soft opens its first location in Marion County today, with a grand opening scheduled for later in the month.
Founded in the Windy City in 1977, Potbelly began expanding into multiple markets in 2002. The company currently has more than 15 shops in the Sunshine State, out of around 475 nationwide; prior to the new shop opening up in Ocala’s Corta Commons shopping center at SR 200 and SW 84th Avenue Rd., the brand’s Lady Lake location was the only one in the 352.
The soft opening commences today, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with an official grand opening slated for Oct. 24. The franchise’s owner, Danish Alidino, is no stranger to the restaurant scenes in North Central and Central Florida—he and his partners at Deli Management LLC own several concepts throughout the region, including the aforementioned Potbelly in Lady Lake.
Potbelly is known for serving up big, fresh sub-style sandwiches with a quickness, as well as wraps, salads and soups. The sandwich offerings vary from standards like turkey, chicken club, smoked ham and meatball to unique orders such as the “Wreck” (turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, Swiss), the “Mediterranean” (grilled chicken, feta, hummus, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, cukes), a prime rib beef sandwich and even their own take on the Cuban.
If you give the shop a try before the grand opening and find it to your liking, make sure you get there early on Oct. 24 before the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting, because the first 50 people in line will be awarded “Free Potbelly for a Year.”