What Oven Does Potbelly Use to Toast Sandwiches

What Oven Does Potbelly Use to Toast Sandwiches?

Potbelly Sandwich Works began in Chicago in 1977, serving warm, oven-toasted sandwiches. The franchise gets its name from the potbelly stoves used in the 19th and 20th centuries to warm homes and cook food. To produce its signature toasted sandwiches today, Potbelly uses TurboChef HHC2020 high-speed conveyor ovens equipped with a continuous conveyor belt, a 20-inch cook chamber, and independently controlled top and bottom impingement airflow that produces quick, even toasting.


How Potbelly's Impingement Ovens Work

The TurboChef HHC2020 carries assembled sandwiches through a heated chamber on a conveyor belt. Recirculating impingement air heats food from above and below, browning bread, warming sandwich fillings, and evenly melting cheese. It also utilizes an internal catalytic filtration system to reduce smoke, grease, and odor.

Staff can adjust the belt speed and airflow settings to establish a consistent cooking process, and the sandwich exits the opposite end of the oven when the cycle is complete. This process supports a steady production line because employees can load sandwiches without constantly opening and closing an oven door and starting a timer, reducing the need for employees to monitor individual cooking cycles. Potbelly has long relied on conveyor ovens with impingement heat as part of its operation, using high temperatures and short cycles to reduce sandwich cooking time during service.

TurboChef HHC2020

For information on the difference between impingement ovens and other conveyor oven designs, see KaTom's article on Impinger Ovens and Conveyor Ovens: What's the Difference?.

Which TurboChef HHC2020 Models Are Available?

KaTom carries four TurboChef HHC2020 configurations designed for countertop installation. These models include:

  • TurboChef HHC2020: This unit has one 20-inch-wide conveyor belt, independently controlled top and bottom impingement airflow, reversible conveyor operation, idle mode, and built-in self-diagnostics. These features come standard on all models.
  • TurboChef HHC2020 VNTLSS: This model uses a ventless configuration that can provide additional placement flexibility in kitchens with limited hood space.
  • TurboChef HHC2020 STDSP: This model divides the cooking surface into two equal belts. Each belt can operate at a different speed, enabling staff to simultaneously cook two foods requiring different cooking times.
  • TurboChef HHC2020 VNTLS-SP: This model combines independently controlled belt speeds with a ventless configuration and dual catalytic converters, as well as a mono-finger design that supports routine cleaning.

KaTom's guide on Choosing the Right TurboChef Oven provides additional planning guidance based on workflow and operational needs.

Benefits of the TurboChef HHC2020

TurboChef HHC2020 impingement ovens support countertop sandwich production that prioritizes speed and consistency. Key features include:

  • Adjustable Parameters: Adjustable belt speed, conveyor direction, and independently controlled airflow help establish consistent cooking conditions
  • Scalable Output: HHC2020 ovens can be stacked with the appropriate kits, enabling an operation to increase production without substantially expanding its equipment footprint
  • Impingement Heating: High-velocity streams of hot air direct heat toward the food from above and below, supporting rapid, even heating
  • Idle Mode and Self-Diagnostics: Idle mode conserves energy during slow periods, while built-in self-diagnostics help staff identify operating problems
TurboChef HHC2020

How TurboChef Impingement Ovens Can Improve Your Commercial Kitchen

High-speed impingement ovens can help sandwich shops, delis, and other foodservice operations create a more predictable production flow. Once the temperature, airflow, and belt-speed settings are configured, the conveyor controls how long each product remains in the cooking chamber, reducing manual labor. This leaves employees free to assemble the next order or finish sandwiches while the oven operates.

KaTom's guide on How to Start a Sandwich Shop provides guidance based on workflow, available space, and production needs.

Find Impingement Ovens at KaTom for Toasting Sandwiches

KaTom offers TurboChef impingement ovens for high-speed sandwich production. Compare single- and split-belt designs, ventless options, and electrical requirements to find the right oven for your operation.

For additional guidance on choosing the right oven for your operation, check out KaTom's Conveyor Oven Buyers' Guide.