Home to the iconic Footling and the 6-inch, Subway® is one of the world’s largest restaurant brands and, with over 2,300 locations across the UK & Ireland, is one of the most well-known restaurant brands in the market. In 2023, as part of its multi-year transformation journey, Subway® experienced significant growth in same-store sales, driven by menu innovation, modernising of restaurants and ongoing improvements to the overall guest experience, including digital.
Subway® proudly serves flavourful better-for-you options, made fresh to order, with fast, friendly, affordable and convenient service. As part of its continuous global journey to evolve its menu options, the Subway® Series menu was launched in the UK and Ireland. There are now two ways to Subway® – guests can continue to Create Your Own or order one of the 15 chef-inspired creations, as well as new sides and snacks, from the Series Menu. The new menu marks the most meaningful change for Subway® in its nearly 60-year history.
The look and feel of a Subway® restaurant is critical to the overall guest experience. Subway® is investing in modernizing its image, rolling out its more contemporary “Fresh Forward” restaurant design across the UK and Ireland, with over 850 restaurants in the newer Subway® image. These newer restaurants also explore new innovative restaurant design features, including integrating digital kiosks and a new Kitchen Management System, simplifying the process for Sandwich Artists.
Subway®’s franchisees share a passion for the brand and an entrepreneurial spirit. Enriched by world-class training and support, Subway® empowers its franchisees to reach their full potential, with immersive 60-hour in-restaurant training, instructor-led training sessions with the University of Subway®, and a 3-week hybrid course delivered in Subway®’s HQ and online.
Subway® franchisors can access IPC EMEA – the member-owned cooperative of franchisees – which manages the purchase and supply chain activity for all food, packaging, equipment and services for Subway® in the UK and Ireland. They select the best providers, offering the best quality services at competitive rates. IPC EMEA also provides a range of in-house support services, value-add initiatives and retail technology solutions for restaurant teams to help with day-to-day operations.
Subway® continually looks for ways to make the business it does more sustainable. In May 2023, new uniforms were launched for Sandwich Artists, made using recycled plastic bottles. These uniforms are one example of how Subway® is working to reduce our impact on the environment.
Subway® restaurants sit at the heart of their communities, and franchisees are encouraged to support local charity partners and initiatives. In December 2022, Subway® launched its “Sub You” campaign. This included a partnership with charity FareShare – the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and tackling food waste. Backed by comedian & TV personality Judi Love, Subway® donated £1 from every Festive Menu item purchased to Fareshare for a limited period.
More recently, Subway® launched a Kids Eat Free campaign for families during the November 2023 Half Term. Kids Pak is a fun and tasty meal option for youngsters to enjoy more nutritious food, comprising of a 4-inch Sub with a choice of filling, a Bear Yo-Yo 100% Fruit Snack and a Fruit Shoot or bottle of water. To help support greater food security, Subway® provided families purchasing a footlong a free Kids Pak, redeemable via the Loyalty app.
As the UK’s most prevalent sandwich shop, Subway®’s priority is franchisee profitability and operational excellence. This begins with low initial start-up costs and affordable remodels and expands to acquiring existing locations and the potential for multi-unit growth. Subway® franchisors also enjoy support from leadership with extensive QSR experience, building an exciting future for Subway®’s employees and franchisees.
