[media-credit name=’NATALIE WEINBERGER/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Gluttony abounded on State Street Thursday, and it had nothing to do with leftover Halloween candy.

Potbelly Sandwich Works decided to celebrate "National Sandwich Day" by putting on their very own sandwich eating competition. Anybody 18 or older was allowed to apply for the "Belly Buster" contest, and five were randomly selected to participate.

Potbelly District Manager Mike Fry said several different eating contests had been run at Potbelly's in the past, though none on a consistent basis. However, he hinted there is a good chance the "Belly Buster" contest may become an annual event for years to come.

Fry indicated the event was not driven by a desire to attract more customers or publicity, but was just a way to give something back to Potbelly's patrons.

"The event is really just a fun opportunity for our customers," Fry said. "It is a great way to celebrate and increase awareness of National Sandwich Day."

Madison was not alone in its celebration of National Sandwich Day. Potbelly Sandwich Works held the same event in eight other college towns, including Ann Arbor, Mich.; Champaign, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; Evanston, Ill; and West Lafayette, Ind.

Potbelly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bryant Keil said the event was a way to thank customers.

"Hosting the 'Belly Buster' contest at these stores is a great way to celebrate National Sandwich Day," Keil said in a release. "College students have been especially loyal Potbelly customers since the days when we only had one store in Chicago. This is a fun opportunity for our customers."

National Sandwich Day is an annual holiday that, for those choosing to acknowledge it, celebrates the invention of the sandwich in 1762.

The contest gave participants five minutes to scarf down as many turkey sandwiches as possible, and whoever completely finished the most subs was crowned the winner.

For the City of Madison, nobody's appetite proved strong enough to compete with Matt Kaftor, a senior at UW and Badger Herald employee. He completely finished two sub sandwiches in the allotted time, just barely beating out the other four competitors. Upon victory, Potbelly's Sandwich Works rewarded Kaftor with a check worth $500. Kaftor said he would use the money to pay rent.

Kaftor said his triumph is most likely due to the intense training he put in beforehand.

"I did a little research online and came to Potbelly's the last couple days to undergo a few time trials," Kaftor said. "I even cross-trained with hot dogs across the street at State Street Brats. Today was my time to shine, and nobody was going to stop me."

Kaftor said that he was motivated to perform in the competition by a friend. According to Kaftor, a past camp counselor of his who now goes by the name "Crazy Legs" Conti is a famous competitive eater who holds the world record for mussel eating.