SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST

Senior Financial Analyst

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is looking for friendly and outgoing people who enjoy working in a fast-paced, friendly environment. We are where good vibes and great careers are a way of life! What started as a small antique store in 1977 has become a nationally recognized neighborhood sandwich shop with over 400 locations across the United States. But toasty sandwiches are only as good as the people behind them. And yeah, we've got the best. Ready to join our growing Potbelly Nation?

Job Title: Senior Financial Analyst

Department/Function: Finance

Location: Support Center

Reports to: Director of Operations Finance

Job Level 1

Job Band Specialist/Administrator

Full-Time

Exempt

Travel Requirements: Rarely

Who you are:

You may or may not have experience working for a restaurant company. You should, however, be enthusiastic about finance | operations | analytics, as well as how great insights lead to superior performance.

For you, financial analysis, modeling and analytics are a skill and a passion (in addition to sandwiches).

You'll be a phenomenal candidate for this role if you:

• Drive towards outcomes
• Enjoy finding patterns in big and sometimes ambiguous data.
• Feel comfortable collaborating and sharing your ideas in a fast-paced environment.
• Can also work independently on some projects and complete tasks with high quality while being unafraid to seek out suggestions from other team members.

You can expect:

Every day is going to be a little different, some special topics will take longer than others, exposing you to a wide range of people, skills, and understanding than most finance-based roles typically can. You'll encounter:

• Curiosity and candor; the quality of the idea wins the day.
• Casual, focused, and agile environment operating under our Potbelly values.
• Consistent contact with Potbelly's SVP of Operations, CFO, and other members of the Senior Leadership team.

What you'll do:

Work closely with the Operations and Finance teams to provide reporting and data analysis to regional and restaurant level managers to optimize and drive performance.

• Report to Director of Operations Finance
• Use data to analyze business trends, identify performance outliers and recommend improvements.
• Analyze restaurant operating performance, including P&L results, labor/COGS productivity, and other key metrics. With a focus on identifying insights to improve performance.
• Lead shop outlier tracking program to improve performance in the business.
• Prepare, interpret, analyze, and communicate restaurant level data to Field Operators
• Prepare routine internal financial reports.
• Prepare and analyze Shop Level Budgets and Forecast.
• Assist in monthly and quarterly reporting, including preparing material for Board meetings and internal business review meetings.
• Perform historical and trend analysis on key business components including competitive benchmarking.
• Assist in the analysis of Operational strategic initiatives.
• Participate and present information at Finance Team Meetings.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis and work on project teams as the need arises.
• Consistent contact with Potbelly's COO, SVP of Operations, CFO, and other members of the Senior Leadership Team.

What you will need:

• Minimum of 4 years of finance/accounting or related experience.
• Experience with restaurant industry or retail with multi-location business preferred.
• Proven experience in budgeting/forecasting and various types of financial analysis.
• Must be at an advanced Excel skill Level and have experience with ad-hoc financial analysis. Experience with reporting tools such as Power BI, Planful, Workday Adaptive Planning or other similar financial systems preferred (Extra Credit – experience with statistical analysis in R/Python)
• Proven experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, generative AI platforms) to enhance financial analysis, automate reporting workflows, and support strategic decision-making.
• High energy level and intellectual curiosity, with a strong desire to learn.
• Excellent problem solving, project management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage and digest high amounts of data through excellent data analysis skills.

Potbelly Sandwich Works may use artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools as part of its hiring and recruitment process. These tools may collect and analyze data including questionnaire and assessment responses, resume content, and professional profile information. AI-assisted tools are used for all position types. All final employment decisions are made by people. Potbelly may also use additional AI-assisted tools from time to time in its hiring process.

Application Deadline: We accept applications for this position until 8/31/2026. We encourage all individuals to submit their applications.

Potbelly actively creates and promotes an environment that is inclusive of all people and their unique abilities, strengths, and differences. We respect and embrace diversity in each other, our customers, suppliers, and all others with whom we interact as an essential component in the way we do business. Diversity only strengthens our Potbelly vibe, who we are, and how we work.

We're an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.