Potbelly, the American fast-casual restaurant chain famous for its filling submarine sandwiches and milkshakes, has brought back the Potbelly Cubano sandwich for a limited time. The Cubano sandwich is made with roasted pulled pork and smoked ham, making it a hefty pork-filled sandwich for meat lovers. Aside from these toppings, the sandwich comes with swiss cheese, deli mustard, a pickle slice, and the customer's choice of bread.
The Cubano sandwich from Potbelly is available as of April 4th, 2022, at participating Potbelly locations across the United States. Whereas many fast-casual sandwiches are made with toaster-toasted buns, Potbelly assures its customers that its Cubano is made with the highest level of care and is always oven-toasted at a temperature of 500-degrees Fahrenheit.
Hefty Pork Sandwiches
Potbelly's 'Cubano Sandwich' is Filled with Two Pork Toppings
Trend Themes
1. Hefty Sandwiches - Potbelly's 'Cubano Sandwich' represents the trend of large, indulgent sandwiches that appeal to meat lovers, presenting opportunities for restaurants to experiment with creative and filling sandwich ingredient combinations.
2. Limited Time Offerings - The return of Potbelly Cubano sandwich for a limited time showcases the trend of limited time offerings and creates opportunities for businesses to entice customers with exclusive, time-sensitive menu options.
3. Attention to Quality - Potbelly's focus on oven-toasting at a high temperature highlights a trend of attention to quality and unique preparation methods, branding opportunities for businesses that use unique cooking methods or ingredients.
Industry Implications
1. Fast-casual Restaurants - The trend of hefty sandwiches appeals to fast-casual restaurants, which can leverage creative sandwich combinations to differentiate themselves from competitors and attract meat-loving customers.
2. Food and Beverage Manufacturing - The trend of limited time offerings creates opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers to partner with restaurants and offer exclusive, co-branded products, creating buzz and driving sales.
3. Kitchen Appliances - The trend of attention to quality and unique preparation methods presents an opportunity for kitchen appliance manufacturers to develop specialized ovens and other cooking equipment that can help restaurants achieve unique and high-quality dishes.