Potbelly Sandwich Works vs Subway: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Subway is the cheaper of the two. Of the 11 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Subway is cheaper on 7 of them, by an average of $5.91 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Potbelly Sandwich Works
- Order Skinny instead of Original to save $1.50 — the bread and toppings are identical, only the meat portion changes.
- Pick Your Pair at $11.49 beats a full sandwich plus a side ordered separately by about two dollars.
- Potbelly Perks gives a free cookie on signup and a free Original sandwich after your first few qualifying visits.
Subway
- A footlong costs about $3.50 more than a six-inch but gives twice the sandwich — per inch it is always the better order, and half keeps well for the next day.
- Subway digital coupons and the app's BOGO footlong offers appear most months and are the only reliable way to get below the board price.
- The Veggie Delite footlong at $7.29 is the cheapest footlong on the menu and takes free additions of every vegetable on the line.
Potbelly Sandwich Works vs Subway — FAQ
Is Potbelly Sandwich Works cheaper than Subway in 2026?
Subway is cheaper on most matched items — 7 of 11. Across the whole menu Subway is the lower-priced of the two, at $8.99 for a typical item against $9.49 at Potbelly Sandwich Works.
What is the price difference between Potbelly Sandwich Works and Subway?
On matched items the average difference is $5.91, or about 36% overall. Potbelly Sandwich Works averages $14.66 across 32 priced items; Subway averages $9.44 across 37.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Potbelly Sandwich Works or Subway?
Potbelly Sandwich Works starts at $1.99 (Chips) and Subway at $1.09 (Cookie (each)).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.