A new Potbelly location in Aurora is set to give away free Potbelly food for a year to the first 50 people in line at its grand opening on April 23.
Potbelly is a chain of sandwich shops that originated in Chicago and has since spread across the country. The newest location in Aurora, located within Kirkland Crossing Plaza near Batavia, is locally-owned by those with ties to the area.
“This is actually only two minutes from my house,” said Anand Patel, who largely grew up in Aurora and is now a co-owner and operator of the new Potbelly location.
Patel has been working in the restaurant industry since he was 16, but this is the first time he’s opened his own restaurant.
He started out working with his family at Dunkin’ Donuts as a cashier, he said, and worked his way up to being a district manager then operations director. Now, as he opens his own restaurant, he has over a decade of hands-on experience to draw from.
Kevin Patel, the restaurant’s other co-owner and operator, comes to the venture with over 20 years of experience in the quick-service restaurant industry, according to a news release.
“Between our shared background in the restaurant industry and growing up right here in Aurora, opening this shop felt like the perfect opportunity,” Kevin Patel said in the release. “It’s exciting to bring a brand we love to this community and create a welcoming neighborhood spot where people can gather and enjoy great food.”
The neighborhood feel is a big part of what gets Anand Patel excited about Potbelly, he told The Beacon-News.
“It’s more of an in-touch community shop versus it being like a national chain, where you just get your food and leave,” Anand Patel said. “Here, you have conversations with everyone you meet, usually.”
For those looking to order from Potbelly’s menu of sandwiches and wraps, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and freshly-baked cookies without so much human interaction, the new restaurant does offer delivery through its website, its app and third-party services.
Catering services are also available, according to the news release.
The restaurant has been open since April 3, with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
But its grand opening ceremony is set to invite the community out to experience the restaurant’s neighborhood atmosphere with various festivities, including a Plinko game for chances to win exclusive merchandise and prizes, the news release said.
According to Anand Patel, city elected officials have been invited to the grand opening festivities.
It is a real honor to serve the Aurora community, he said, since the city gave him so much when he grew up here.
He’s had the opportunity to start restaurants elsewhere, but Aurora always seems to be the last place that big brands want to build, so the chance to bring Potbelly here as his first shop is “amazing,” he said.
Those visiting the new restaurant might consider trying the veggie melt, which Anand Patel said is his favorite thing on the menu. Just don’t forget to add on the hot peppers.
“It makes it so good,” he said. “It gives it a nice kick, you know?”
For more information about the new Potbelly location at 2933 Kirk Road, and about Potbelly more generally, go to potbelly.com
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
