Bryant Keil

Bryant Keil, an accomplished entrepreneur and business executive in Chicago, currently serves as Chairman of Potbelly Sandwich Works, LLC. Bryant Keil acquired the original Potbelly Sandwich Shop on Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue in 1996. A longstanding establishment, the first Potbelly Sandwich Shop displays a unique, rustic atmosphere that has been cherished by Chicago locals for nearly 35 years. Inspired by an ambitious vision, Bryant Keil quickly expanded the business operations. Early on, Bryant Keil’s vision received support from Maveron LLC, the venture capital firm that enabled Starbucks Corporation to go public. Since taking over the business, Bryant Keil and his team have successfully opened more than 200 Potbelly Sandwich Shops across the nation. During the company’s rapid development, Inc. magazine named Potbelly Sandwich Works as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the country. The company continues to maintain a focus on respecting the local heritage of each shop’s location. Further information regarding Potbelly Sandwich Works can be found at www.potbelly.com. Recognized for his success, Bryant Keil earned the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007. His professional highlights also include being named Illinois Restaurateur of the Year in 2003 by the Illinois Restaurant Association. More recently, the Aspen Institute designated him a Henry Crown Fellow. Continuing to pursue diverse professional interests, Bryant Keil holds memberships in numerous volunteer and community organizations, including the Young Presidents’ Organization, the Economic Club of Chicago, Kohl Children’s Museum, Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, and Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center. In his personal life, he enjoys staying active traveling, skiing, and playing golf and tennis. He resides in Lake Forest, Illinois.