# Bryant Keil

> Bryant L. Keil bought the original Potbelly Sandwich Works in Chicago in 1996 and built the modern chain, serving as CEO until 2008. He later returned as a multi-unit franchisee with his son Hampden through the Keil Group, where Bryant serves as CEO and focuses on growth and development.

- **Role:** CEO at the Keil Group
- **Organizations:** Keil Group, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (former co-chairman), 1871 (former co-chairman), Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellowship
- **Education:** Cornell University, American University
- **Known for:** Built the modern Potbelly chain from one shop to approximately 250 during his CEO tenure., 2003 Illinois Restaurateur of the Year, Illinois Restaurant Association., 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient.

## Career timeline

- **1996** — Acquired the original Potbelly shop from Peter Hastings for a reported $1.7 million; began serving as CEO and chairman.
- **1997** — Opened the second Potbelly shop.
- **2001** — Maveron, co-founded by Howard Schultz and Dan Levitan, joined Potbelly investors.
- **2002** — Potbelly expanded outside Chicago into Washington, D.C.
- **2003** — Named Illinois Restaurateur of the Year.
- **2005** — Potbelly reached 100 shops.
- **2007** — Received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and became a Henry Crown Fellow.
- **2008** — Concluded his CEO tenure; remained chairman until 2011.
- **2008-2017** — Co-chaired the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center and its incubator 1871.
- **2011** — Became founding chairman, an honorary title without executive powers as described in a 2020 filing.
- **2015** — Left the Potbelly board in October.
- **2023** — Signed a Maryland agreement with son Hampden covering 12 existing shops and 15 new shops over eight years.
- **2025** — Appeared with Hampden on Franchise QB as a multi-unit Potbelly franchisee.

## Achievements

- Built the modern Potbelly chain from one shop to approximately 250 during his CEO tenure.
- 2003 Illinois Restaurateur of the Year, Illinois Restaurant Association.
- 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient.
- Named a Henry Crown Fellow in 2007.

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — FranchiseU! interviewed Hampden Keil about the family business, reporting 13 existing restaurants and plans for 15 more; Bryant focuses on growth and development while Hampden handles operations.
- **2025-04** — Bryant and Hampden appeared on Franchise QB episode 75; the introduction described 13 operating shops and 22 additional planned locations across the Washington-area market.

## Links

- Website: https://about.me/BryantKeil
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryantkeil

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bryant-keil
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16