What oil does Potbelly fry in?
Potbelly cooks with soybean oil.
In detail: Soybean oil (in mayo and 'Potbelly oil' drizzle); canola/soybean blend in house oil — confirmed in Potbelly allergen guide.
Ordering at Potbelly? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderPotbelly at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | D (8.1 g average per item, 255 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Potbelly
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Grilled Cheese (Skinny) | 0.9g |
| Loaded Baked Potato Soup (Cup) | 1.5g |
| Grilled Chicken & Cheddar (Regular) | 1.6g |
| Grilled Cheese (Regular) | 1.6g |
| Oatmeal | 2.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Potbelly order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhat oil do other chains like Potbelly use?
- What oil does Jimmy John's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Firehouse Subs use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Schlotzsky's use? Soybean oil
- What oil does McAlister's Deli use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Charleys Cheesesteaks use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Quiznos use? Soybean oil
- What oil does Blimpie use? Canola oil
Why the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Potbelly report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Potbelly fry in?
Potbelly cooks with soybean oil. In detail: Soybean oil (in mayo and 'Potbelly oil' drizzle); canola/soybean blend in house oil — confirmed in Potbelly allergen guide.
Does Potbelly use seed oils?
Yes. Potbelly cooks with soybean oil. Its seed oil grade is D, about 8.1 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Potbelly use beef tallow?
No. Potbelly cooks with soybean oil, not beef tallow.
Does Potbelly use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Potbelly cooks with soybean oil. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Potbelly?
Chicken Enchilada Soup (3.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Chicken Club (Skinny) (4.0 g) and Powerhouse Salad (4.0 g).
Which Potbelly item has the most seed oil?
Apple Walnut Salad, at about 43.4 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.