A new meal option will soon greet shoppers at the Festival at Manchester Lakes.
The sandwich chain Potbelly will open next Tuesday (Sept. 15) in the Franconia shopping center at 7011D Manchester Blvd, taking over an approximately 1,998-square-foot space previously filled by rival sandwich purveyor Jimmy John’s.
“We’re proud to bring Potbelly to The Festival at Manchester Lakes for everyone in Franconia and the surrounding communities to get their Potbelly fix,” Potbelly Regional Director Ebou Jagne said in a press release. “This is such a warm and welcoming neighborhood, which makes it a natural fit for us.”
Started in Chicago in 1977 before expanding nationally in 1996, Potbelly now has more than 465 corporate and franchise locations across the U.S., including eight others in Fairfax County and one in Fairfax City. Prior to the expansion to Festival at Manchester Lakes, the closest shop to Franconia was an outpost at Springfield Plaza.
Like the other locations, Potbelly in Franconia will serve a variety of oven-toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and mac and cheese. The eatery will typically be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
A grand opening celebration for the new shop is planned on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. The festivities will include an offer of free Potbelly meals for a year for the first 50 customers in line, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a Potbelly Perks Plinko game where attendees can win free food, exclusive merchandise and other prizes.
“Potbelly is built on bringing people together over great food and good vibes,” Jagne added. “We know longtime fans and new Potbelly guests will appreciate the shop’s signature friendly service, craveable food and neighborhood atmosphere that the DMV has always loved.”
Located just off of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway and Beulah Street, the Festival at Manchester Lakes is currently anchored by the department store Homesense after Amazon Fresh shuttered all locations earlier this year. Other dining options include the mobile food hall Wonder, All Rice Thai, California Fish Grill, Manchester Bagel, Halal Munchies and more.
Potbelly also has a forthcoming location at Idylwood Plaza that was expected to open sometime this fall, as of its announcement in September 2025.
A spokesperson confirmed that the chain is working on a Burke location as well. Fairfax County issued a commercial alteration permit on Aug. 24 to allow the buildout of a 2,000-square-foot suite in Burke Town Plaza (9526A Old Keene Mill Road).
Updated estimates of when the Idylwood and Burke locations will open are not yet available, the spokesperson said.
