Management

Robert D. Wright has served as our President and CEO and a director since July 2020. Prior to joining Potbelly, Mr. Wright served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, International of The Wendy’s Company, which owns and operates a chain of quick service restaurants, from May 2016 to May 2019 and Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer from December 2013 to May 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Wright served in leadership roles with other restaurant brands, including Charley’s Philly Steaks, Checker’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: Italian on white with peppers, mustard, lettuce and pickles

Steven W. Cirulis has been our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer since April 2020. Mr. Cirulis previously served in a strategic planning, finance and analytical consulting role for the Company from December 2019 until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer in April 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Cirulis served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Projects at Panera Bread from April 2017 to July 2018. Prior to his role at Panera Bread, Mr. Cirulis was the Global Vice President, Corporate Strategy, at McDonald’s Corporation from August 2011 to September 2016. Prior to joining McDonald’s, Mr. Cirulis was the Senior Director of Strategy, Business Development and Insights, for Gap Brand at Gap, Inc. from October 2006 to May 2011.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: A Wreck

Adam Noyes has been our Senior Vice President since August 2020 and Chief Operating Officer since January 2023 (having previously served as our Chief Operations Officer from August 2020 to January 2023). Prior to joining Potbelly, Mr. Noyes held various roles of increasing responsibility at Checkers and Rally’s from April 1991 through December 2019, including serving as Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President from 2016 to 2019. Mr. Noyes received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of South Florida.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: A Wreck

Adiya Dixon has been our Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since December 2020, has served as our Chief Compliance Officer since March 2023 and oversees all legal matters of the Company. Prior to joining Potbelly, Ms. Dixon provided legal services through AAD Squared, a legal consulting firm, from February 2020 to December 2020. Prior to AAD Squared, Ms. Dixon was employed by Wendy’s International, which owns and operates a chain of quick service restaurants, serving as Director, International Counsel from July 2016 to July 2018 and Director, Corporate Counsel from October 2013 to July 2016.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: Apple Walnut Salad

Jeffrey Douglas has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since September 2019. Mr. Douglas joined Potbelly from Levy Restaurants, where he served as the Senior Vice President of Information Technology from February 2016 through September 2019. Prior to Levy, Mr. Douglas was the Vice President of Technology for The Options Clearing Corporation from December 2000 to January 2016.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: A Wreck with mustard

David Daniels has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer since August 2021. Prior to joining Potbelly, Mr. Daniels served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at The Food Hall Co., a developer and operator of food halls, from October 2018 to August 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Daniels served as Vice President of Marketing at Pizza Hut, a QSR brand, from March 2015 to March 2018. Prior to his time at Pizza Hut, Mr. Daniels served in various marketing and sales leadership roles at Anheuser-Busch InBev from 1993 to December 2014.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: Italian with hot peppers

Lynette McKee has been our Senior Vice President, Franchising since June 2023. From December 2012 to May 2023, she served as Owner, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner for McKeeCo Services, LLC, a consulting company. From August 2021 to April 2023, she served on the Board of Directors of Front Burnder Brands. From July 2011 to November 2012, she was Executive Director of the Educational Foundation for the National Restaurant Association. From September 2009 to April 2011, she was Chief Development Officer for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. From July 2005to September 2009, she was Vice President of Franchising for Dunkin' Brands, Inc. From January 2004 to November 2004, she was Vice President of Franchising for Burger King Corporation.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: Classic Smoked Ham Sandwich

Patrick Walsh has been our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer since April 2023. Prior to joining Potbelly, Mr. Walsh served as Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Oil Dri Corporation of America from March 2022 to April 2023. Prior to that, he served as Senior Director of Human Resources - Talent Management, Culture and Diversity for the North America Beverages Division of PepsiCo. from February 2020 to March 2022. Before that, he served as Senior Director of Human Resources for the Midwest Region Sales & Operations of Frito Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, from February 2016 to February 2020.

Favorite Potbelly menu item: Mediterranean Sandwich