View source for Subway (restaurant)

{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Short description|American fast food chain}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Subway IP LLC
| trade_name = Subway
| logo = Subway 2016 logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2016
| former_name = {{Plainlist|
*{{nowrap|Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches (1965–1968)}} 
*Pete's Subs (1968–1970) 
*Pete's Subway (1970–1972)
}}
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Restaurant]]s
| genre = [[Fast-food restaurant]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1965|8|28}} in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]], U.S.
| founders = {{plainlist|
* [[Fred DeLuca]]
* [[Peter Buck (restaurateur)|Peter Buck]]
* Carmela DeLuca<ref>{{cite web |url=https://orangectlive.com/2012/08/30/obituary-carmela-deluca-89-co-founder-of-subway-mother-of-fred-deluca/ |title=Obituary: Carmela DeLuca, 89, Co-Founder of Subway, Mother of Fred DeLuca. |work=Orange Live |date=August 30, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200927/https://orangectlive.com/2012/08/30/obituary-carmela-deluca-89-co-founder-of-subway-mother-of-fred-deluca/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
| hq_location_city = [[Shelton, Connecticut]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.<ref name="SUBWAY 1970 x153">{{cite web | title=Contact Customer Service | website=SUBWAY | url=https://www.subway.com/contactus/contactusform | access-date=2023-08-07|quote=Franchise World Headquarters 1 Corporate Drive Suite 1000 Shelton, CT 06484 USA}}</ref>
| locations = 37,000 (September 2023)<ref name= "Subway ExploreOurWorld"/>
| area_served = Worldwide ([[List of countries with Subway restaurants|100+ countries]])
| key_people = {{nowrap|Jonathan Fitzpatrick ([[President (corporate title)|president]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref>{{cite news |last=Durbin| first= Dee-Ann| work=[[Associated Press News]]| date= July 21, 2025|title= Subway hires former Burger King executive as its new CEO| url= https://apnews.com/article/subway-ceo-roark-capital-sandwiches-cc7314aa5fa531920ded22289916073d|archive-date= 2025-07-26|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250726220835/https://apnews.com/article/subway-ceo-roark-capital-sandwiches-cc7314aa5fa531920ded22289916073d|url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| owner = [[Roark Capital Group]]
| products = {{plainlist|
* [[Submarine sandwich]]es
* [[Salad]]s
* [[Cookie]]s
* [[Soft drink|Soft drinks]]
* [[Pizza]]s (selected locations)
}}
| revenue = {{decrease}} [[US$]]16.1 billion (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-200-2020/6-subway/article_6a6665b5-4bb5-5290-9f95-0d4ff9032d3d.html?block_id=1027235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225163924/https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-200-2020/6-subway/article_6a6665b5-4bb5-5290-9f95-0d4ff9032d3d.html?block_id=1027235|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 25, 2021|title=6. Subway|accessdate=December 18, 2022}}</ref>
| num_employees = 410,000, including franchises (2022)<ref>{{cite web |title=Subway |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/subway/?sh=41cd4f667c88 |website=Forbes |access-date=May 24, 2022 |date=January 25, 2022}}</ref>
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.subway.com/en-us|subway.com}}
}}

'''Subway IP LLC''',<ref name="OpenCorporates">{{Cite web |date=2015-12-14 |title=Subway IP LLC |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_de/5907576 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=[[OpenCorporates]]}}</ref> [[trading as]] '''Subway''', is an American multinational [[fast food restaurant]] [[franchising|franchise]] that specializes in [[submarine sandwich]]es (subs) and [[wrap (food)|wraps]]. It was founded by [[Fred DeLuca]] and financed by [[Peter Buck (restaurateur)|Peter Buck]] in 1965 as '''Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches'''<ref name="wash_‘It’">{{Cite news |title='It's just not what people want anymore': Subway to close hundreds of U.S. stores |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=14 December 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/04/26/its-just-not-what-people-want-anymore-subway-to-close-hundreds-of-u-s-stores/ |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429221755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/04/26/its-just-not-what-people-want-anymore-subway-to-close-hundreds-of-u-s-stores/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]]. After several name changes, it was renamed Subway in 1972, and a franchise operation began in 1974 with a second restaurant in [[Wallingford, Connecticut]].<ref name="entr_Howa">{{Cite web |title=How a 17-Year-Old With $1,000 Started Subway and Became a Billionaire |last=McCreary |first=Matthew |work=Entrepreneur |date=May 9, 2018 |access-date=14 December 2020 |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313130 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924163733/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313130 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:A_Subway_restaurant_in_a_strip_mall_in_Franklin,_North_Carolina,_United_States.jpg|thumb|Subway at a strip mall in [[Franklin, North Carolina]]]]
It was the fastest-growing franchise in the world in 2015<ref name="Herold 2015">{{cite web | last=Herold | first=Tracy Stapp | title=Top Fastest-Growing Franchises for 2015 | website=Entrepreneur | date=February 6, 2015 | url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241670 | access-date=December 5, 2017 | archive-date=August 10, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810171542/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241670 | url-status=live }}</ref> and, as of September 2023, has over 37,000 locations in more than 102 countries and territories. More than half its locations (21,796 or 61.1%) are in the United States.<ref name="Subway ExploreOurWorld">{{cite web |url=https://www.subway.com/ExploreOurWorld |title=Explore Our World |work=Subway |access-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729074127/https://www.subway.com/exploreourworld |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/feji45iged/1-subway/#7b997c2745f4 |title=Subway - pg.2 |last=Tice |first=Carol |website=Forbes |access-date=May 22, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810173615/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/feji45iged/1-subway/#7b997c2745f4 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Statista">{{cite web | title=Number of U.S. Subway restaurants 2016 | website=Statista | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/469341/number-of-subway-restaurants-us/ | access-date=December 5, 2017 | archive-date=December 23, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223125009/https://www.statista.com/statistics/469341/number-of-subway-restaurants-us/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It is the largest single-brand restaurant chain and the largest restaurant operator in the world.<ref name="Subway History">{{cite web |url=https://www.subway.com/AboutUs/History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113004459/https://www.subway.com/en-CA/AboutUs/History |url-status=live |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |title= The History of SUBWAY |publisher=Subway |year=2019 |access-date=January 13, 2020 |quote=Today, the SUBWAY brand is the world's largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 20,603 locations around the world.}}</ref><ref name="Food & Wine 2017">{{cite web | title=World's Largest Fast Food Chains | website=[[Food & Wine]] | date=May 8, 2017 | url=https://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/worlds-largest-fast-food-chains | access-date=December 5, 2017 | archive-date=November 24, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124003102/http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/worlds-largest-fast-food-chains | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mcds">{{cite web |url=http://www.hoovers.com/mcdonald's/--ID__10974--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015005836/http://www.hoovers.com/mcdonald%27s/--ID__10974--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2006 |title=McDonald's Corporation |author=Joe Bramhall |publisher=Hoovers.com |access-date=August 23, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://yum.com/investors/restcounts.asp |title=Yum! Financial Data - Restaurant Counts |publisher=yum.com |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202153644/http://www.yum.com/investors/restcounts.asp |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its international headquarters are in [[Shelton, Connecticut]].

==History==
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| header            = 
| header_align      = left/right/center
| header_background = 
| footer            = 
| footer_align      = left/right/center
| footer_background = 
| width             = 
| image1            = Alternative subway logo.svg
| width1            = 200
| caption1          = 1973–2002 logo (still used at some locations in northern Canada)
| image2            = Subway bi (2002).svg
| width2            = 200
| caption2          = 2002–2015 logo (still used at some locations)
| width3            = 200
| image3            = Subway bi (2015).svg
| caption3          = 2015–2016 logo (mostly only used in advertisements)
}}

===Foundation and early years===
{{missing information|Early years|date=May 2024}}
In 1965, [[Fred DeLuca]] borrowed $1,000 from his friend [[Peter Buck (restaurateur)|Peter Buck]] to start "Pete's Drive-In: Super Submarine Sandwiches" at 3851 Main Street<ref name="channel5">{{cite web |title=Subway: How Do they Really Do It? |url=https://www.channel5.com/show/subway-how-do-they-really-do-it |website=My5 |publisher=[[Channel 5 (British TV channel)]] |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]], and in the following year, they formed Doctor's Associates Inc. to oversee operations of the restaurants as the franchise expanded.<ref name="Subway Timeline">{{cite web |url=https://www.subway.com/en-US/AboutUs/Timeline |title=SUBWAY® Timeline |date=2019 |publisher=Subway |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225130148/https://www.subway.com/en-US/AboutUs/Timeline |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite web |author= Bhattarai, Abha |date= April 27, 2018 |title= 'It's just not what people want anymore': Subway to close hundreds of U.S. stores |newspaper= [[The Washington Post]] |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/04/26/its-just-not-what-people-want-anymore-subway-to-close-hundreds-of-u-s-stores/?tid=a_mcntx |access-date= April 29, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180430012002/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/04/26/its-just-not-what-people-want-anymore-subway-to-close-hundreds-of-u-s-stores/ |archive-date= April 30, 2018}}</ref> The holding company derives its name from DeLuca's goal to earn enough from the business to pay tuition for medical school, as well as Buck's having a doctorate in physics.<ref name="BOWDOINLHD">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080908035958/http://www.bowdoin.edu/events/commencement/honorands.shtml 2008 Honorary Degree Recipients (Bowdoin, Office of Events and Summer Programs)] (archived 2008)</ref> In 1968, the sandwich shop was renamed Subway.<ref name="Subway Timeline" /> In 1976, a franchise operation began with a restaurant in [[Wallingford, Connecticut]].<ref name="entr_Howa" />

The first Subway on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] was opened in [[Fresno, California]], in 1978.<ref name="Subway Timeline" /> The first Subway outside of North America opened in [[Bahrain]] in December 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.subway.com/countries/frmmainpage.aspx?cc=can |title=Subway Restaurants International Homepage |work=Subway.com |access-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319183029/http://world.subway.com/countries/frmmainpage.aspx?cc=can |archive-date=March 19, 2013}}</ref> The first Subway in Canada opened in [[St. John's, Newfoundland|St. John's]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subway Canada to Overhaul Locations |url=https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2019/11/subway-canada-to-overhaul-locations-with-new-offerings-and-retail-design/#:~:text=The%20first%20Subway%20location%20in,currently%203%2C200%20Canadian%20Subway%20restaurants.|website=retail-insider.com | date=November 4, 2019 |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> The first Subway in the United Kingdom opened in [[Brighton]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.subway.co.uk/business/franchise/facts_and_history.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302160532/http://www.subway.co.uk/business/franchise/facts_and_history.aspx |archive-date=March 2, 2010 |title=FACTS AND HISTORY |publisher=subway.co.uk |access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref>

In 1989, Subway acquired Cajun Joe's, a [[Boston, Massachusetts]]-based chain which sold [[fried chicken]] and [[Cajun cuisine]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/795091381/ | title=Cajun Joe's opens first restaurant in Alabama | work=Birmingham Post Herald | date=December 8, 1990 | accessdate=May 1, 2024 | pages=D10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/373841768/ | title=Roundup | work=Hartford Courant | date=December 13, 1989 | accessdate=May 1, 2024 | pages=B2}}</ref> The venture proved unsuccessful, and most were closed by the end of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/77406119/ | title=Spicy Mike's brings Cajun downtown | work=Herald and Review | date=May 14, 1999 | accessdate=May 1, 2024 | pages=C1}}</ref>

===Development since the 2000s===
In 2004, Subway began opening stores in [[Walmart]] supercenters, and surpassed the number of [[McDonald's]] locations inside U.S. Walmart stores in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322 |title=Wal-Mart Dumps McDonald's For Subway As In-Store Restaurateur | work=[[HuffPost]] |date=September 13, 2007 |first=Michelle |last=Kung |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831234228/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/13/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2007, Subway has consistently ranked in the ''[[Entrepreneur (magazine)|Entrepreneur]]'' [[Franchise 500]]. In 2015, it ranked third on the "Top Global Franchises" list, and first as the "Fastest Growing Franchise."<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112220817/https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topglobal |archive-date=2016-01-12 |access-date=2018-06-09 |work=[[Entrepreneur (magazine)|Entrepreneur]] |title=2015 Top Global Franchises |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topglobal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109220038/https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/fastestgrowing |archive-date=2016-01-09 |access-date=2018-06-09 |work=[[Entrepreneur (magazine)|Entrepreneur]] |title=2015 Top Fastest Growing Franchises |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/fastestgrowing}}</ref> At the end of 2010, Subway became the largest fast food chain worldwide– with 33,749 restaurants; 1,012 more than McDonald's.<ref name="Subway Runs Past McDonald's Chain">{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703386704576186432177464052 |title=Subway Runs Past McDonald's Chain |publisher=wsj.com |access-date=January 20, 2014 |first=Julie |last=Jargon |date=March 8, 2011 |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227175101/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703386704576186432177464052 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2015, [[Suzanne Greco]] became president and CEO. Her brother Fred DeLuca, the company's first CEO, had been ill for two years and died of leukemia in September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://restaurantleadership.com/speaker/suzanne-greco/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035737/https://restaurantleadership.com/speaker/suzanne-greco/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |title=Suzanne Greco - Restaurant Leadership Conference 2017 |publisher=Restaurantleadership.com |date=April 9, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> In 2016, Subway closed hundreds of restaurants in the United States, experiencing a net loss in locations for the first time. However, with 26,744 locations, it remained the most ubiquitous restaurant chain in the United States (with McDonald's in the #2 spot).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patton |first1=Leslie |title=Subway Shuts Hundreds of U.S. Stores |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/subway-closed-hundreds-of-stores-2017-4 |access-date=April 20, 2017 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=April 20, 2017 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420181944/http://www.businessinsider.com/subway-closed-hundreds-of-stores-2017-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2017, Subway unveiled redesigned restaurants, dubbed 'Fresh Forward',<ref name="Fresh Forward">{{cite web|url=http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8139451-subway-new-fresh-forward-restaurant-design/|title=Subway Brings "Fresh Forward" With New Restaurant Design, Customer Experience|work=Multivu|date=July 17, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718012902/http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8139451-subway-new-fresh-forward-restaurant-design/|url-status=live}}</ref> with new company branding.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Danny |title=Subway Reveals Major New Brand Look |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/design/subway-reveals-major-new-brand-look |access-date=31 March 2021 |work=QSR magazine |date=July 2017 |language=en}}</ref> The company installed self-order kiosks, USB charging ports at tables, and added new menu items.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subway-brings-fresh-forward-with-new-restaurant-design-customer-experience-300488781.html |title= Subway® Brings 'Fresh Forward' With New Restaurant Design, Customer Experience |author= MILFORD, Conn |date= July 17, 2017|publisher= Subway IP Inc.|access-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005121345/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subway-brings-fresh-forward-with-new-restaurant-design-customer-experience-300488781.html |archive-date=October 5, 2025  }}</ref>

In 2017, Subway closed more than 800 U.S. locations. In April 2018, it announced it would close about 500 more that year. According to Abha Bhattarai of ''[[The Washington Post]]'', this was a result of three consecutive years of falling profits and a 25 percent reduction in foot traffic in Subway stores since 2012. Franchisees also complained that the company's deep promotions further ate away at profits.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} In January 2018, Subway invested $25 million in a re-branding campaign targeting young consumers to revitalize its image and boost sales.<ref name=WashingtonPost/> In 2019, John Chidsey joined Subway as the company's first CEO who was not a founding family member. He focused on improving established U.S. locations rather than building new restaurants.<ref name="Shifts">{{cite news |last1=Ruggless |first1=Ron |title=CEO John Chidsey shifts Subway's franchise focus to quality, not quantity |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/ceo-john-chidsey-shifts-subway-s-franchise-focus-quality-not-quantity |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222231017/https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/ceo-john-chidsey-shifts-subway-s-franchise-focus-quality-not-quantity |archive-date=22 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In December 2020, Subway partnered with [[ezCater]] to offer a new online catering platform.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Subway Taps ezCater for Online Catering Roll Out|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/subway-taps-ezcater-online-catering-roll-out|access-date=2021-03-01|website=QSR magazine|date=December 3, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, the family announced that they were in the process of selling the company to private ownership. The company enlisted the help of [[JP Morgan]] with the sale. The price of the company was reported to be around $10 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-15 |title=Sandwich chain Subway explores sale of business |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64645490 |access-date=2023-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seal |first=Dean |title=Subway Confirms It Is Seeking Buyers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/subway-confirms-it-is-seeking-buyers-419dc974 |access-date=2023-02-15 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=February 14, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Several potential buyers made offers for the company.<ref name="bloomberg_3.4.23">{{cite news |last1=Barton |first1=Susanne |title=Subway's Potential $10 Billion Sale Draws Goldman, Bain: Sky |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/?sref=CIpmV6x8 |access-date=4 March 2023 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=4 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> These included the asset management division of investment bank [[Goldman Sachs]], [[TDR Capital]], and [[TPG Inc.]]<ref name="bloomberg_3.4.23"/> On August 24, Subway announced that [[Roark Capital Group|Roark Capital]] would purchase the company for $9.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=2023-08-24 |title=Subway sandwich chain sells itself to Dunkin' owner Roark Capital |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/24/subway-sells-to-dunkin-owner-roark-capital.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> The deal's reported value would make it the third-biggest US acquisition in restaurant history, behind [[Burger King]]'s 2014 acquisition of [[Tim Hortons]] for $11.4 billion and [[Inspire Brands]]' purchase of [[Dunkin' Brands]] in 2020 for $11.3 billion.<ref name="sale-news">{{cite web |last1=Maze |first1=Jonathan |date=22 August 2023 |title=The 10 biggest restaurant chain acquisitions |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/10-biggest-restaurant-chain-acquisitions |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=Restaurant Business |publisher=[[Informa]] Connect}}</ref>

In November 2023, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was looking into investigating the deal as it would possibly give Roark a monopoly in the sandwich shop industry via the firm's existing ownership of Subway's competitors [[McAlister's Deli|McAllister's Deli]] & [[Jimmy John's]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schott |first=Paul |title=Report: FTC investigating planned $10B sale of CT-based Subway |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/report-ftc-investigation-subway-sale-18547101.php |access-date=2024-03-21 |work=CT Insider |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321144216/https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/report-ftc-investigation-subway-sale-18547101.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 30, 2024, Roark officially acquired Subway after the FTC determined that Roark did not have an unfair advantage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coley |first=Ben |date=2024-04-30 |title=Subway Finalizes Sale to Roark Capital |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/subway-finalizes-sale-to-roark-capital/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=QSR Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

On March 19, 2024, Subway signed a 10-year deal with [[PepsiCo]] that began on January 1, 2025, ending the restaurant chain's partnership with [[The Coca-Cola Company]] that was first signed in 2003, went into effect the following year in 2004, and the Coke switchover was completed by 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/in-rare-shift-subway-says-it-s-ditching-coca-cola-products/ |title=In 'rare shift,' Subway says it's ditching Coca-Cola products |first=Bill |last=Shannon |publisher=[[MSN]] |date=March 20, 2024 |access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=Subway will replace Coca-Cola products with Pepsi in 2025 - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/subway-will-replaces-coke-vs-pepsi-coca-cola-pepsico-2025/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Subway's international locations had already gone back to serving Pepsi products between 2015 and 2018.<ref name=":0" /> Pepsi previously had a deal with them when they were founded that lasted until the Coca-Cola switchover.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2003-12-02 |title=Coke in, Pepsi out at Subway |url=https://chiefmarketer.com/coke-in-pepsi-out-at-subway/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Chief Marketer |language=en-US}}</ref>

By the end of March 2024, the company's Brazilian unit went into bankruptcy with over BRL 482 million (nearly $100 million) in debt.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.brazilcounsel.com/blog/subway-files-for-bankruptcy-in-brazil|title= Subway Files for Bankruptcy in Brazil|date=26 March 2024|access-date=8 August 2025|website=Brazil Counsel|language=en}}</ref> SouthRock Capital, operator of Brazilian Subway restaurants, later declared [[Chapter 15 bankruptcy]] in June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/brazilian-tgi-fridays-operator-declares-bankruptcy|title= A Brazilian TGI Fridays operator declares bankruptcy|first=Jonathan|last=Maze|date=14 June 2024|access-date=8 August 2025|website=Restaurant Business Online|language=en}}</ref>

==Corporate affairs==
[[File:Counter and customers, new-style Subway restaurant.jpg|thumb|Interior of a Subway franchise in [[Huntington, Virginia|Huntington]], [[Virginia]] designed in the new style]]
[[File:Subway in Burwood Plaza.jpg|thumb|Subway in [[Sydney]], Australia]]
[[File:Subway, Deventer (2022) 02.jpg|thumb|Subway in [[Deventer]], Netherlands]]

===Ownership===
{{as of|2024}}, Subway was owned by the private equity group [[Roark Capital]].<ref name="WSJ-Roark">{{cite news |title=Private-Equity Firm Roark Cleared to Acquire Sandwich Chain Subway |last=Haddon |first=Heather |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-earnings-04-30-2024/card/private-equity-firm-roark-cleared-to-acquire-sandwich-chain-subway-DAb2UzXhboJF5pxykc0E?mod=lctimeline_finance |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=May 1, 2024}}</ref> Prior to that, Subway had been owned by its founding families for six decades. In 2019, John Chidsey joined Subway as the first chief executive officer outside of the DeLuca family.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=CEO John Chidsey shifts Subway's focus to quality, not quantity {{!}} Nation's Restaurant News |url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/ceo-john-chidsey-shifts-subway-s-franchise-focus-quality-not-quantity |access-date=2024-02-24 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222231017/https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/ceo-john-chidsey-shifts-subway-s-franchise-focus-quality-not-quantity |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

===Structure===
As of 2017, the Subway Group of companies was organized as follows:
*Subway IP Inc. is the owner of the intellectual property for the restaurant system.
*Franchise World Headquarters, LLC leads franchising operations. FWH Technologies, LLC owns and licenses Subway's [[point of sale]] software.
*Franchisors include Doctor's Associates Inc. in the U.S.; Subway International B.V.; Subway Franchise Systems of Canada, Ltd.; etc.
*Advertising affiliates include Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, Ltd.; Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, B.V.; Subway Franchisee Canadian Advertising Trust; etc.<ref>{{cite web |author=Subway IP Inc. |date=2017-01-03 |title=Privacy Notice {{!}} subway.com - United States (English) |url=https://www.subway.com/en-US/Legal/PrivacyNotice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217145354/https://www.subway.com/en-us/legal/privacynotice |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |access-date=2017-09-24 |website=www.subway.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Subway IP Inc. |date=2017-01-03 |title=Privacy Statement FWH {{!}} SUBWAY.com - United States (English) |url=https://www.subway.com/en-US/Legal/PrivacyStatement-FWH |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022133947/https://www.subway.com/en-us/legal/privacystatement-fwh |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=2017-09-24 |website=www.subway.com}}</ref>
*IPC Europe (Independent Purchasing Company Europe Limited), manager of the Subway franchisees and the Subcard loyalty scheme in European countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=IPC Europe |url=http://www.ipceurope.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618123334/http://www.ipceurope.org/ |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Subcard® {{!}} Terms and conditions |url=https://subcard.subway.co.uk/cardholder/en/tnc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619134709/https://subcard.subway.co.uk/cardholder/en/tnc/ |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020}}</ref>

===Headquarters===
Subway's international headquarters are in [[Shelton, Connecticut]]. The company is in the Enterprise Corporate Park, where it takes {{convert|90000|sqft|sqm}} of space<ref>{{cite web|url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/tristate/2024/01/04/connecticut-developer-buys-former-subway-hq-for-10m/|title=Developer picks up former Subway HQ, orders warehouse project|magazine=[[The Real Deal (magazine)|The Real Deal]]|date=2024-01-04|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref> on three floors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/tristate/2023/10/29/subway-choose-fresh-new-connecticut-headquarters/|title=Subway slices off longtime Connecticut headquarters|magazine=[[The Real Deal (magazine)|The Real Deal]]|date=2023-10-29|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref> This facility began operations in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2023/10/23/subway-opens-new-dual-headquarters-in-ct-town/|title=Subway opens new dual-headquarters in CT town |newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]]|date=2023-10-23|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref> The company stated that it chose Shelton due to proximity to various locations in Connecticut as well as proximity to points of interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2022/06/27/subway-to-move-its-headquarters-to-shelton-from-milford-citing-amenities-close-access-to-much-of-connecticut/|title=Subway to move its headquarters to Shelton from Milford, citing amenities, close access to much of Connecticut |newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]]|date=2022-06-27|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>

Previously the headquarters were in [[Milford, Connecticut]], taking up three land portions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/subways-former-hq-campus-sells-for-10m-for-new-warehouse-development|title=Subway's former HQ campus sells for $10M for new warehouse development|magazine=Hartford Business|date=2024-01-02|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref> In 2024 the former buildings were razed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sambides|first=Nick|url=https://www.milfordmirror.com/news/article/demolition-subway-hq-milford-18979455.php|title=Demolition underway at former Subway HQ in Milford: 'Sad and exciting in the same breath'|newspaper=Milford Mirror|date=2024-03-14|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>

There are five regional centers supporting the company's international operations. The regional offices for European franchises are located in [[Amsterdam]] (Netherlands); the Australian and New Zealand locations are supported from [[Brisbane]] (Australia); the Asian locations are supported from offices in [[Beirut]] (Lebanon) and [[Singapore]]; and the Latin American support center is in [[Miami]] (US).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/Undercover%20Boss%20Epic%20Bosses.pdf |title=Subway® CDO Don Fertman Back On Undercover Boss In New "Epic Bosses" Episode |access-date=June 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827045251/http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/Undercover%20Boss%20Epic%20Bosses.pdf |archive-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>

===Franchising===
The startup cost of owning a Subway franchise is significantly lower than competitors, beginning at around $200,000 to $500,000. However, Subway franchisees also pay some of the highest percentages of profits (around 12.5%) back to Subway compared to competitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/23/john-oliver-subway-franchisees|title=John Oliver on Subway franchisees: 'Dream turned into a nightmare'|author=Guardian staff|work=www.theguardian.com|date=May 23, 2022|accessdate=May 23, 2022}}</ref>

==Locations==
[[File:Subway Restaurant Locations.svg|thumb|Distribution of Subway restaurants around the world
    {{legend|#238443|1000 or more}}
{{legend|#78C679|100 to 999}}
    {{legend|#C2E699|10 to 99}}
    {{legend|#FFFFCC|1 to 9}}
    {{legend|#C0C0C0|0}}]]
As of February 2023, Subway had approximately 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries, all independently owned and operated by a network of [[Franchising|franchisees]].<ref name="Exploring">{{cite news |last1=Roeder |first1=Jonathan |title=Subway Sandwich Chain Is Exploring a Sale After Record-Setting Year |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-14/sandwich-chain-subway-says-it-s-exploring-a-sale |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=14 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Subway has the highest concentration of locations in North America with more than 20,000 in the United States, 2,881 in Canada, and 758 in Mexico, as of 2019.<ref name="World">{{cite web |title=Explore Our World |url=https://www.subway.com/en-US/ExploreOurWorld |publisher=Subway |access-date=11 May 2023 |date=10 December 2022 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210045828/https://www.subway.com/en-US/ExploreOurWorld |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Exploring"/> This was almost as many U.S. locations as [[McDonald's]] and [[Starbucks]] combined, as of 2018.<ref name=WashingtonPost/> Outside North America, the countries with the most locations are Australia (1,215), Brazil (1,643), and the United Kingdom (2,195), as of 2019.<ref name="World"/>

==Products==
[[File:Subwaysandwich.jpg|thumb|right|A Subway Club 6" sandwich]]

===Overview===
Subway's core product is the [[submarine sandwich]] (or "sub"). It also sells [[wrap (sandwich)|wraps]], [[salad]], [[Panini (sandwich)|paninis]], and baked goods (including [[cookie]]s, [[doughnut]]s, and [[muffin]]s). Subway also sells [[breakfast sandwich]]es, [[English muffin]]s, and [[flatbread]]. In 2006, "personal pizzas" debuted in some US markets. These are [[Build to order|made to order]] (like the subs) and heated for 85 seconds. Breakfast and pizza items are only available in select locations. In November 2009, Subway signed a deal to serve exclusively [[Seattle's Best Coffee]] coffee as part of its breakfast menu in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=292 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114173952/http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=292 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 14, 2010 |title=Subway Restaurants to Brew Seattle's Best Coffee Exclusively |publisher=News.starbucks.com |access-date=September 1, 2013}}</ref>

Subway's best-selling sandwich,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2883871/Subway-sets-out-to-torpedo-McDonald%27s.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Subway sets out to torpedo McDonald's |first=Guy |last=Dennis |date=April 25, 2004 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=January 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126192558/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2883871/Subway-sets-out-to-torpedo-McDonald%27s.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> the B.M.T. (short for "Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest"), contains [[pepperoni]], salami and ham. It was introduced as a reference to [[Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation|Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit]], connecting to the "subway" name.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.subway.com/ContactUs/CustServFAQs.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214084228/http://www.subway.com/ContactUs/CustServFAQs.aspx |archive-date=2012-02-14 |title=Official Subway Restaurants FAQs |work=Subway |access-date=August 25, 2009}}</ref>

In April 2017, Subway announced the addition of paninis to its menu. Chipotle Steak & Cheese, Triple Cheese, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Italian B.M.T. Melt were the four variations announced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/fresh-off-the-press-paninis-have-arrived-at-subway-619705783.html |title=Fresh off the Press: Paninis Have Arrived at Subway® |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en |access-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193558/http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/fresh-off-the-press-paninis-have-arrived-at-subway-619705783.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2018, Subway debuted the Chipotle Cheesesteak sandwich for a limited time. Regional testing of a crispy chicken sandwich also began taking place in Arkansas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/subway-debuts-limited-time-cheesesteak-tests-crispy-chicken-sandwich|title=Subway debuts limited-time cheesesteak, tests crispy chicken sandwich|date=2018-09-21|work=Nation's Restaurant News|access-date=2018-09-25|archive-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925180601/https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/subway-debuts-limited-time-cheesesteak-tests-crispy-chicken-sandwich|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2024, Subway debuted Sidekicks, a new range of footlong baked goods in partnership with [[Cinnabon]] and [[Auntie Anne's]].<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Subway |title=SUBWAY® REVEALS SIDEKICKS, AN IRRESISTIBLE COLLECTION OF FOOTLONG COOKIES, CHURROS AND PRETZELS |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subway-reveals-sidekicks-an-irresistible-collection-of-footlong-cookies-churros-and-pretzels-302037704.html |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

====SubDog====
Subway's SubDog is an American-style hotdog, topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and a limited-edition tangy mustard, in which started as an April Fool's joke in 2022 but due to popular demand Subway brought the SubDog to reality as a limited-time offer. Subway announced the return of the SubDog in Australia for a limited time in 2024 between 2 September to 6 October.<ref>{{cite web|title='Bigger and better': Subway's limited edition SubDog returns to Australia|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/food/bigger-and-better-subways-limited-edition-subdog-returns-to-australia/news-story/89563e1f42dd7894a82d24b7d71b0d1e|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=6 September 2024|access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Subway announces return of the SubDog|url=https://qsrmedia.com/marketing/news/subway-announces-return-subdog|website=QSR Media|date=3 September 2024|access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>

===Regional variations===
Subway's menu varies between countries, most significantly where religious requirements relate to the meats served.

In 2006, the first [[kosher Subway]] restaurant in the United States opened in a suburb of [[Cleveland, Ohio]] in the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland. Former Subway spokesman [[Jared Fogle]] attended the opening. A press release stated, "With slight modifications, such as no pork-based products, and the use of [[Soy cheese|soy-based cheese]] product, the menu is virtually identical to that of any other Subway restaurant."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pr.com/press-release/13250 |title=First Kosher Subway Restaurant Opens in Cleveland |publisher=Pr.com |date=June 6, 2006 |access-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808193635/http://www.pr.com/press-release/13250 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other openings soon followed, briefly making Subway one of the largest U.S. kosher restaurant chains.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fishkoff |first=Sue |url=https://www.jta.org/2009/08/05/life-religion/eat-fresh-eat-kosher-subway-the-largest-u-s-kosher-restaurant-chain |title=Eat fresh, eat kosher: Subway the largest U.S. kosher restaurant chain |newspaper=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2016 |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420075757/http://www.jta.org/2009/08/05/life-religion/eat-fresh-eat-kosher-subway-the-largest-u-s-kosher-restaurant-chain |url-status=live}}</ref> At their peak, twelve kosher Subway locations were open in the U.S., including Kansas City and 5 in New York. As of 2023, only one kosher Subway remains, in Miami, FL. Franchisees who failed noted a lack of support from the parent location in advertising, higher costs of kosher food and supervision, the inability to remain open on Saturdays, and that customers who do not keep kosher prefer the original menu and prices.<ref name="franchise">{{cite web |last=Spiro |first=Amy |date=September 19, 2011 |title=The Subway That Stops In New York |url=http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/the-subway-that-stops-in-new-york/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004142205/http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/the-subway-that-stops-in-new-york/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=February 26, 2016 |publisher=The Jewish Week}}</ref>

Subway opened its first restaurant in India in 2001 in [[New Delhi]]. In deference to [[Hindu]] beliefs, Subway restaurants in India do not serve beef products; on the other hand, the country's large number of vegetarians induced Subway's Indian outlets to offer a much-extended range of vegetarian options. As of January 2017, there were 591 Subway restaurants in 68 Indian cities.<ref name="Subway ExploreOurWorld" /> On September 4, 2012, Subway opened its first all-vegetarian outlet on the campus of [[Lovely Professional University]] (LPU) in [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Rohan Dua |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Subway-to-roll-out-worlds-1st-all-veg-outlet-in-Punjab/articleshow/15526098.cms |title=Subway to roll out world's 1st all-veg outlet in Punjab |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222063935/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Subway-to-roll-out-worlds-1st-all-veg-outlet-in-Punjab/articleshow/15526098.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 6, 2013, Subway opened its second all-vegetarian outlet also offering Jain food in [[Paldi (Ahmedabad)|Paldi]], [[Ahmedabad]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Chitra Unnithan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/US-food-giants-turn-vegetarian-in-Gujarat/articleshow/18823980.cms |title=US food giants turn vegetarian in Gujarat |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222072541/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/US-food-giants-turn-vegetarian-in-Gujarat/articleshow/18823980.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Nutritional content===
In 2011, Subway introduced gluten-free bread and brownies to some locations in Texas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbs19.tv/story/13818841/gluten-free-items-come-to-some-subways-in-east-texas?clienttype=printable |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929014011/http://www.cbs19.tv/story/13818841/gluten-free-items-come-to-some-subways-in-east-texas?clienttype=printable |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |work=KYTX CBS 19 |first=Amanda |last=Roberson |title=Gluten-free items come to some Subway's in East Texas |access-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> It also cut the salt content of its sandwiches by 15 percent in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.whec.com/news/stories/s2071937.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002140157/http://www.whec.com/news/stories/s2071937.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |work=WHEC News 10 |title=Subway slashes salt in sandwiches |date=April 19, 2011}}</ref>

==Marketing==
Subway is the second-biggest [[fast food advertising|fast food advertiser]] in the United States, behind only McDonald's. It spent US$516,000,000 on measurable advertising in 2011.<ref>[http://adage.com/article/news/meet-america-s-25-biggest-advertisers/242969/?qwr=FullSite Meet America's 25 biggest advertisers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307225321/http://adage.com/article/news/meet-america-s-25-biggest-advertisers/242969/?qwr=FullSite |date=March 7, 2015}}. ''AdAge''. Retrieved July 8, 2013.</ref>

Subway used the advertising slogan "Eat Fresh" and focused on how its sandwiches were made from freshly baked bread and fresh ingredients, in front of customers to their exact specifications, by employees which Subway called "Subway Sandwich Artists".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Join the Subway® Team |url=https://www.subway.com/en-us/careers#:~:text=Become%20a%20Sandwich%20Artist%C2%AE%20or%20manager%20at%20a%20Subway%20restaurant%20in%20your%20area%2E |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=www.subway.com}}</ref>

In 2005, Subway scrapped its "Sub Club" stamp promotion, citing a growing number of counterfeit stamps due to online auction sites and the increasing availability of high-quality printers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fraud stamps out Subway sandwich promo|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8075754|access-date=29 November 2017|work=msnbc.com|date=3 June 2005|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041644/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8075754/ns/business-us_business/t/fraud-stamps-out-subway-sandwich-promo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Subway Scraps Free-Sandwich Promotion|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/subway-scraps-free-sandwich-promotion|access-date=29 November 2017|work=Fox News|date=2 June 2005|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031044/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/06/02/subway-scraps-free-sandwich-promotion.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2007, Subway's US commercials featured the cartoon character [[Peter Griffin]] (from FOX's ''[[Family Guy]]'') promoting its new Subway Feast sandwich.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/subway-family-guy-promotion-155309 |title=Subway in 'Family Guy' promotion |author=Gail Schille |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=November 17, 2007 |access-date=June 26, 2013 |quote=Fox's "Family Guy" has lined up its first national quick-service restaurant promotion with Subway Restaurants, which will air a TV spot featuring the show's Peter Griffin |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131032327/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/subway-family-guy-promotion-155309 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Subway ran a [[product placement]] campaign in the US TV series ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]'' since its first season. As ratings dwindled in the second season, a campaign to "save Chuck" was launched for fans, encouraging them to purchase a footlong sub from Subway on April 27, 2009, the date of the season finale. Tony Pace, Subway's marketing officer, called it the best product placement the restaurant chain has done "in several years."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvweek.com/tvmojoe/2009/04/subway-good-night-and-good-chu.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430093858/http://www.tvweek.com/tvmojoe/2009/04/subway-good-night-and-good-chu.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 30, 2009 |title=Subway: Good Night, and Good 'Chuck' |publisher=TV Week |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=April 27, 2009}}</ref>

To celebrate National Sandwich Day on November 3, 2015, Subway offered a Buy One sandwich, Give One sandwich free promotion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolff-Mann |first=Ethan |title=Subway Offers Buy One Get One Free Sandwiches on Nov. 3 |magazine=Money.com |url=https://money.com/subway-bogo-national-sandwich-day/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429111413/https://money.com/subway-bogo-national-sandwich-day/ |archive-date=April 29, 2022}}</ref>

Most Subway locations feature a promotion named "Sub of the Day" where a different submarine sandwich is featured each day of the week at a discounted price. In the past they had a monthly promotion that featured a specialty sub sandwich at a discounted price for the entire month.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fast-food-deals.com/subway-sub-of-the-day/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202125550/https://fast-food-deals.com/subway-sub-of-the-day/ |url-status=live |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |title=Subway Sub Of The Day |date=January 3, 2023 |access-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref>

===Jared Fogle===
[[File:Jared_Fogle_(2007).jpg|thumb|[[Jared Fogle]] in 2007]]
Beginning in January 2000, [[Jared Fogle]] was a national spokesman for the company in the United States, giving talks on healthy living and appearing in advertisements. Fogle first came to attention in his native [[Indiana]] by claiming that he lost over {{convert|200|lb|kg}} in part by eating at Subway. After 2008, he was featured less often as the company marketed with more emphasis on its "5 dollar footlong" campaign.<ref name="Yahoo!">{{cite web |first=Matthew|last=Boyle|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/108119/the-ac |title=The Accidental Hero |website=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]]|location=Sunnyvale, California|date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=January 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044601/http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/108119/the-accidental-hero.html?mod=career-selfemployment |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Subway attributed between one-third and one-half of its growth from 1998 to 2011 to Fogle, the equivalent of a tripling in size.<ref name=murray20130609>{{cite news |first1=Rheana |last1=Murray |title=Subway commercial spokesman Jared Fogle marks 15 years of turkey subs and keeping the weight off |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/jared-subway-guy-marks-15-years-turkey-subs-article-1.1365511 |newspaper=[[The New York Daily News]] |publisher=[[Tronc]] |location=New York City |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117063233/http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/jared-subway-guy-marks-15-years-turkey-subs-article-1.1365511 |url-status=live}}</ref> Subway ended its relationship with Fogle in 2015 after he was charged with possession of [[child pornography]] and illicit sexual conduct with minors. After pleading guilty in August 2015, he was sentenced to more than 15 years in [[federal prison]] three months later.<ref>{{cite news | first1=Andy | last1=Campbell | first2=Michael | last2=McLaughlin |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/subway-fires-jared-fogle-ahead-of-expected-child-porn-guilty-plea_n_55d3b609e4b07addcb448ac3 |title=Subway Fires Jared Fogle Ahead Of Expected Child Porn Guilty Plea | work=[[HuffPost]] | location=New York City |date=August 18, 2015 |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011152037/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/subway-fires-jared-fogle-ahead-of-expected-child-porn-guilty-plea_us_55d3b609e4b07addcb448ac3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Drew |last=Harwell |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/subway-guy-jared-fogle-to-plead-guilty-to-child-porn-underage-sex/2015/08/19/16f8d9a0-469e-11e5-8e7d-9c033e6745d8_story.html |title=Ex-'Subway guy' Jared Fogle to plead guilty to child porn, underage sex |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=Nash Holdings LLC |location=Washington DC |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040908/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/subway-guy-jared-fogle-to-plead-guilty-to-child-porn-underage-sex/2015/08/19/16f8d9a0-469e-11e5-8e7d-9c033e6745d8_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Isidore |title=Jared Fogle sentenced to more than 15 years |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/11/19/news/companies/jared-fogle-jail-sentence/index.html |website=[[CNNMoney]] |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting Systems]] |location=Atlanta, Georgia |date=November 19, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124032031/http://money.cnn.com/2015/11/19/news/companies/jared-fogle-jail-sentence/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2015, following the removal of Fogle from its marketing, Subway introduced a new marketing campaign, "Founded on Fresh". The campaign focuses on Subway's establishment and early history and features [[Fred DeLuca]], as played by his son, Jonathan. The new campaign downplays the use of jingles and celebrity endorsements (besides "targeted" sports marketing) in favor of focusing on the qualities of its products and specific products. Chief advertising officer Chris Carroll explained that the focus on fat, calories, and weight loss were "what fresh used to be" and that the new campaign would focus more on the sourcing of Subway's ingredients, such as its phase-out of [[Antibiotic use in livestock|antibiotic-treated meat]]. Carroll also explained that the new strategy was being developed prior to the controversy involving Fogle.<ref name="adage-foundedonfresh">{{cite magazine|first=E.J.|last=Schultz|title=Behind Subway's Post-Jared Strategy: No More Discount Ads, Fewer Celebs|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/subway-s-strategy-discount-ads/301938/|magazine=[[Advertising Age]]|publisher=[[Crain Communications]]|location=New York City|date=December 27, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215193707/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/subway-s-strategy-discount-ads/301938/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===$5 footlongs===
In 2008, Subway began to offer all its regular {{convert|1|ft|cm|spell=in|adj=mid|-long}} submarine sandwiches (excluding the premium and double-meat varieties) for five dollars (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|5|2008|r=2}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), in the continental United States and Canada, as a "limited time only" promotion. "Five Dollar Footlongs" quickly became the company's most successful promotion ever.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2010/05/19/Subway-Sues-Over-Footlong.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522174756/http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2010/05/19/Subway-Sues-Over-Footlong.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2010 |title=Did Subway Put Its Foot(long) In Its Mouth? |publisher=Brandchannel.com |access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> Upon the initial promotion's completion, customer response prompted Subway to create a "$5 Footlong Everyday Value Menu" that offered some footlong sandwiches for $5. Since 2011, there has been a monthly rotating $5 footlong.<ref name="Yahoo!"/> In October 2011, a similar promotion was launched in the United Kingdom. Customers can buy one of nine subs and any drink for £3 (for a {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on|disp=sqbr}} sub) or £5 (for a footlong).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.subway.co.uk/menu/subs/value-lunch/default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015075818/http://www.subway.co.uk/menu/subs/value-lunch/default.aspx |archive-date=2011-10-15 |title=The £3 lunch |work=Subway |access-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, San Francisco restaurants discontinued the five-dollar footlong promotion due to the higher cost of doing business in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2865582/posts |title=Subway Kills Five-Dollar Footlongs in S.F. Due to "Higher Cost of Doing Business" |date=2012-03-28 |author=Eskenazi, Joe |access-date=2018-04-02 |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525024336/http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2865582/posts |url-status=live}}</ref> From June 2014 to the end of that year, some Subway locations began discontinuing the $5 promotion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/restaurants/sdut-subway-raises-price-5-footlong-2014aug22-htmlstory.html |title=Farewell, $5 Footlong |work=The San Diego Union Tribune |date=2014-08-22 |access-date=2018-04-02 |author=Harvey, Katherine P. |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051756/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/restaurants/sdut-subway-raises-price-5-footlong-2014aug22-htmlstory.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 1, 2014, Subway discontinued the five-dollar footlong promotion, replacing it with the Simple $6 Menu which included a six-inch select with a drink and a choice of cookies or chips.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brandeating.com/2014/11/subway-2014-november-specials-new-simple-6-dollar-menu.html |title=Subway 2014 November Specials - New Simple $6 Menu |date=2014-11-01 |access-date=2018-04-02 |website=Brandeating.com |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173419/https://www.brandeating.com/2014/11/subway-2014-november-specials-new-simple-6-dollar-menu.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/530026766581002240 |title=Introducing the Simple $6 Menu! Choose from a variety of 6" subs with chips & a drink for $6! |work=Subway |access-date=2018-04-02 |date=2014-11-05 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215014547/https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/530026766581002240 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2016, Subway announced that all classic footlongs would be priced at $6 each.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/694525883458179072 |title=Breaking News: Starting February 4th, All of your favorite classic footlongs are $6. |date=2016-02-02 |access-date=2018-04-02 |work=Subway |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930201317/https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/694525883458179072 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2018, the $5 promotion returned with a $4.99 footlong menu of five subs at participating locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/food/subway-brings-back-5-footlong-some-people-aren-t-too-t120114 |title=Subway is bringing back its $5 footlong — but not everyone is happy |access-date=2018-04-02 |date=2017-12-18 |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today.com]] |last=Walansky |first=Aly |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215014525/https://www.today.com/food/subway-brings-back-5-footlong-some-people-aren-t-too-t120114 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/958018724518420480|title=What's behind curtain #4.99?|work=Subway|access-date=April 2, 2018|date=January 29, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215014541/https://twitter.com/SUBWAY/status/958018724518420480|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.subway.com/en-us/menunutrition/menu/499footlongs|title=5 footlongs $4.99 each|access-date=April 2, 2018|work=Subway|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403053148/http://www.subway.com/en-us/menunutrition/menu/499footlongs|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2018, Subway announced that it would discontinue the $5 footlong promotion to boost franchise profits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc12.com/content/news/Subway-discontinues-5-footlong-to-boost-profits-492954631.html |title=Subway discontinues $5 footlong to boost franchisee profits| access-date=September 13, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912114917/http://www.abc12.com/content/news/Subway-discontinues-5-footlong-to-boost-profits-492954631.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Italian Hero===
In early 2017, Subway introduced its Italian Hero and advertised it with a campaign describing it as an authentic Italian(-American) sandwich. Created by their national creative agency MMB, two comedic spots feature Italian-American characters on and around the stoop of a tenement building, one including a cameo by sportscaster [[Dick Vitale]]. Another ad features [[Food Network]]'s [[Jeff Mauro]], the "Sandwich King", who is also Italian-American,{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recipe4living.com/articles/an_interview_with_jeff_mauro_the_winner_of_the_food_network_s_next_food_star.htm |title=An Interview With Jeff Mauro, The Winner Of the Food Network's Next Food Star! |website=Recipe4Living.com |quote=Since I am Italian-American, and living around my people for the majority of my life, it has been an integral part of my culinary upbringing. |access-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040307/http://www.recipe4living.com/articles/an_interview_with_jeff_mauro_the_winner_of_the_food_network_s_next_food_star.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> discussing the nature and role of the different Italian meats and other ingredients.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AGkI/subway-italian-hero-piled-high |title=Subway Italian Hero TV Commercial, 'Piled High' |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050719/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AGkI/subway-italian-hero-piled-high |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wYpe/subway-italian-hero-sandwich-the-sandwich-king-feat-jeff-mauro |title=Subway Italian Hero Sandwich TV Commercial, 'The Sandwich King' Feat. Jeff Mauro |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050716/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wYpe/subway-italian-hero-sandwich-the-sandwich-king-feat-jeff-mauro |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wYbR/subway-italian-hero-the-taste-of-italy |title=Subway Italian Hero TV Spot, 'The Taste of Italy' |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050909/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wYbR/subway-italian-hero-the-taste-of-italy |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AUIb/subway-italian-hero-the-legendary-italian-heroes-ft-dick-vitale |title=Subway Italian Hero TV Commercial, 'The Legendary Italian Heroes' Ft. Dick Vitale |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193224/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AUIb/subway-italian-hero-the-legendary-italian-heroes-ft-dick-vitale |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AULD/subway-italian-hero-authentic |title=Subway Italian Hero TV Spot, 'Authentic' |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193220/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AULD/subway-italian-hero-authentic |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AUVq/subway-italian-hero-frankie |title=Subway Italian Hero TV Spot, 'Frankie' |website=iSpot.tv |date=2017 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050807/https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AUVq/subway-italian-hero-frankie |url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Refresh"===
In July 2021, Subway debuted its "Refresh" campaign featuring: [[Tom Brady]], [[Stephen Curry]], [[Serena Williams]], and [[Megan Rapinoe]].<ref>[https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/inside-subways-superstar-studded-refresh-campaign/2350151 "Inside Subway’s superstar-studded Refresh campaign] by Jessica Wohl ''[[Ad Age]]'' (July 13, 2021) Retrieved July 24, 2021 ([[Paywall]])</ref> Subway franchisees requested Rapinoe be pulled from the ads following the 2020 Olympics, claiming her testimonial caused sales to dip and harmed the stores' reputation.<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/megan-rapinoes-post-olympic-woes-continue-subway-franchises-want-her-dropped-1618189 "Megan Rapinoe's Post-Olympic Woes Continue as Subway Franchises Want Her Dropped] by Scott MacDonald ''[[Newsweek]]'' (August 8, 2021) Retrieved August 13, 2021</ref>

==Sponsorships==
Subway has sponsored a number of sports events, particularly [[NASCAR]] races, including the [[Subway 300]] (2001), [[Subway 400]] (2002–2004), [[Subway 500]] (2003–2007), [[Subway Fresh 500]] (2005–2013) and the [[Subway Firecracker 250]] (2009–2016). Subway sponsored the [[Subway Super Series]] ice hockey tournament from 2009 to 2014.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} In September 2022, Subway secured a three-year partnership deal with [[Football Australia]] for the naming rights of the men's national football teams as the Subway [[Australia men's national soccer team|Socceroos]], Subway [[Australia men's national under-23 soccer team|Olyroos]], Subway [[Australia men's national under-20 soccer team|Young Socceroos]], and Subway [[Australia men's national under-17 soccer team|Joeys]]. The deal also includes Subway becoming the official partner of the [[Australia women's national soccer team|Matildas]] and the [[Australia Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Football Australia Media |date=2022-09-22 |title=Football Australia and Socceroos score fresh partnership with Subway {{!}} Socceroos |url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/football-australia-and-socceroos-score-fresh-partnership-subway |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.socceroos.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

==Animal welfare==
In December 2015, Subway committed to eliminating [[battery cage]] eggs from its North American supply chain by the end of 2025.<ref name="Steele 2015">{{cite web | last=Steele | first=Anne | title=Subway Begins Move Toward Cage-Free Eggs | website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=December 28, 2015 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/subway-begins-move-toward-cage-free-eggs-1451320612 | access-date=December 5, 2017 | archive-date=January 21, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121181655/https://www.wsj.com/articles/subway-begins-move-toward-cage-free-eggs-1451320612 | url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2022, it was criticized by the [[animal welfare]] organization the Open Wing Alliance for failing to report progress on its cage-free transition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Held |first=Lisa |date=2022-01-26 |title=The Field Report: Ranking Chain Restaurants on Animal Welfare |url=https://civileats.com/2022/01/26/the-field-report-ranking-chain-restaurants-animal-welfare221126-field-report-fast-food-chains-animal-welfare-wotus-instacart-salmon-young-farmers-survey/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Civil Eats |language=en}}</ref> In August 2025, a representative of [[The Humane League]] stated that Subway leadership refused to engage with the organization about its cage-free commitment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schott |first1=Paul |title=Connecticut-based Subway challenged by animal-rights group to stop using caged hen |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/subway-cage-free-eggs-20789547.php |access-date=6 August 2025 |work=CT Insider |date=1 August 2025}}</ref> A month later, Subway announced that it would eliminate caged eggs from its U.S. locations by November 2025 and its Canadian locations by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schott |first1=Paul |title=CT-based Subway’s Nov. 1 end date for use of caged hens in U.S. cheered by animal-rights group |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/subway-shelton-cage-free-eggs-hens-humane-league-21051576.php |access-date=7 November 2025 |work=CT Insider |date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

In 2017, Subway faced a nationwide campaign against its use of [[Welfare of broiler chickens|fast-growing broiler chickens]] led by high school activist Lia Hyman in coordination with The Humane League.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Micah |url=http://www.wtnh.com/news/subway-commits-to-chicken-welfare-policy/1068387886 |title=Subway commits to Chicken Welfare Policy |publisher=Wtnh.com |date=April 28, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612151820/http://www.wtnh.com/news/subway-commits-to-chicken-welfare-policy/1068387886 |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 20, 2017, Hyman and a group of activists delivered more than 53,000 signatures from campaign supporters at a demonstration outside Subway's headquarters in Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web |author=Daniel Craig |url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/cheltenham-student-prods-subway-to-new-chicken-welfare-policy/ |title=Cheltenham student prods Subway to new chicken welfare policy |publisher=PhillyVoice |date=April 28, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620050131/http://www.phillyvoice.com/cheltenham-student-prods-subway-to-new-chicken-welfare-policy/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the demonstration, Subway released a chicken welfare policy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.subway.com/en-us/aboutus/socialresponsibility/sustainablesourcing#animalWelfare |title=Sustainable Sourcing &#124; subway.com - United States (English) |publisher=SUBWAY.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629170111/http://www.subway.com/en-us/aboutus/socialresponsibility/sustainablesourcing#animalWelfare |url-status=live}}</ref> requiring its U.S. chicken products to be produced in alignment with Global Animal Partnership (GAP) standards by 2024, including enhanced living environments, increased activity levels, optimized stocking density, and improved slaughter methods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/news_home/Business/2017/05/Subway_to_implement_new_animal.aspx?ID=%7BBA461999-0CE6-417C-BCB9-49E563924F17%7D |title=Subway to implement new animal welfare standards &#124; Meat+Poultry |publisher=Meatpoultry.com |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-date=May 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516010149/http://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/news_home/Business/2017/05/Subway_to_implement_new_animal.aspx?ID=%7BBA461999-0CE6-417C-BCB9-49E563924F17%7D |url-status=live}}</ref> However, [[World Animal Protection]] reported in 2024 that Subway continued to practice low broiler welfare standards in its European supply chain.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Pecking Order 2024 |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/our-campaigns/food-systems/factory-farming/the-pecking-order/ |publisher=World Animal Protection |date=November 2024}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{undue weight|date=May 2024}}

===Hepatitis A contamination===
In September 1999, at least 32 customers in [[Seattle]] contracted [[hepatitis A]] after eating food contaminated with the virus at two Subway outlets.<ref name=Columbian>{{cite news |title=Hepatitis Outbreak Triggers Lawsuit |work=[[The Columbian]] |location=Vancouver |date=November 14, 1999 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23436106.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191049/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23436106.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |via=[[HighBeam Research]] |access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> The virus, which is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with infected feces, infects the liver causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and fever.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Matheny |first1=SC |last2=Kingery |first2=JE |title=Hepatitis A. |journal=Am Fam Physician |date=December 1, 2012 |volume=86 |issue=11 |pages=1027–34; quiz 1010–2 |pmid=23198670 |url=http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1201/p1027.html |access-date=June 5, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309112808/http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1201/p1027.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent investigations found that staff failed to adhere to thorough hand washing and the use of plastic gloves during food preparation.<ref name="seattletimes">{{cite news |title=Seattle Subway Franchise Will Pay $10 Million to Settle Boy's Hepatitis Suit |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |location=Seattle |date=July 3, 2001 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-76161220.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163407/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-76161220.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |via=[[HighBeam Research]] |access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> A class-action lawsuit on behalf of 31 victims was resolved for $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Subway Franchise Faces Claims from Over Thirty-One Hepatitis A Victims |date=November 10, 1999 |work=[[Marler Clark]] |url=https://marlerclark.com/news_events/subway-franchise-faces-claims-from-over-thirty-one-hepatitis-a-victims |access-date=June 5, 2015 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040143/http://marlerclark.com/news_events/subway-franchise-faces-claims-from-over-thirty-one-hepatitis-a-victims |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Subway Hepatitis A Outbreak |work=About Hepatitis |date=2015 |url=http://www.about-hepatitis.com/hepatitis_outbreaks/view/subway-hepatitis-a-outbreak/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305145134/http://www.about-hepatitis.com/hepatitis_outbreaks/view/subway-hepatitis-a-outbreak/#.WxxVwDNKjOQ |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> The most seriously affected victim—a 6-year-old boy—suffered acute liver failure and required a [[Liver transplantation|liver transplant]]. He was awarded $10 million in an out-of-court settlement in 2001.<ref name=seattletimes/> A previous outbreak of hepatitis A in 1996 had also involved a Subway outlet in Seattle, although no legal action had resulted.<ref name=Columbian/>

In April 2015, the [[State health agency|Arkansas Department of Health]] issued a warning to the public that customers who had eaten at the Subway outlet in [[Morrilton, Arkansas]], may have been exposed to infection after an employee tested positive for the virus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Health Department: Hepatitis A exposure possible at Subway in Morrilton |first=Danielle |last=Kloap |date=April 14, 2015 |work=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |location=Little Rock |url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/apr/14/health-officials-hepatitis-exposure-possible-morri/ |access-date=June 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522160749/http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/apr/14/health-officials-hepatitis-exposure-possible-morri/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arkansas Officials Warn About Possible Exposure to Hepatitis A at Subway |date=April 14, 2015 |work=[[Food Safety News]] |location=Seattle |url=http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/04/arkansas-health-officials-warn-public-about-possible-exposure-to-hepatitis-a-at-subway-restaurant/ |access-date=June 5, 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710073936/http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/04/arkansas-health-officials-warn-public-about-possible-exposure-to-hepatitis-a-at-subway-restaurant/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sandwich size===
On February 2, 2007, [[KNXV|KNXV-TV]] (with the help of the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures) reported that three of Subway's "Giant Sub" sandwiches, normally each {{convert|3|ft|cm}} long, were actually only {{cvt|81.0|,|81.9|, and |82.6|cm|ftin|1|order=flip}} long. Under Arizona regulations, objects cannot be more than 3% shorter than their advertised length; a "three-foot" sub must be at least {{convert|2|ft|10.92|in|cm}} long. The report also showed the boxes designed to store these sandwiches were {{convert|2|ft|10+3/4|in|cm}} in length; shorter than the maximum allowable variance. In response to the report, Subway said it was reevaluating its advertising, training, and packaging materials with regard to the specific or implied length of Giant Subs and was advising its franchisees to only discuss with customers the approximate number of expected servings and not a specific length of measurement.<ref>{{cite web |author=Joe Ducey |date=June 26, 2007 |title=Sub-Standard |url=http://www.abc15.com/content/news/investigators/story.aspx?content_id=cf4c217c-1910-4040-9a33-0102fdd135c7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818130828/http://www.abc15.com/content/news/investigators/story.aspx?content_id=cf4c217c-1910-4040-9a33-0102fdd135c7 |archive-date=August 18, 2007 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |publisher=[[KNXV-TV]] ([[Phoenix, Arizona]])}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20070820190407/http://consumerist.com/consumer/videos/subways-3-foot-subs-are-shorter-than-3-feet-276511.php Video]</ref>

In January 2013, an Australian teen, Matt Corby, complained on [[Facebook]] that Subway's "footlong" sandwich was only {{convert|11|in|cm}} long, rather than {{convert|1|foot|cm}}. Subway responded by saying, "With regards to the size of the bread and calling it a footlong, 'Subway Footlong' is a registered trademark as a descriptive name for the sub sold in Subway Restaurants and not intended to be a measurement of length." [[Discovery (law)|Discovery]] during a subsequent class-action lawsuit revealed that most Subway sandwiches were the advertised length. A $530,000 settlement was thrown out of court in 2017 for being "utterly worthless" to consumers.<ref>{{cite news |title='Worthless' Subway 'Footlong' sandwich settlement is thrown out: U.S. |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-subway-decision-footlong/worthless-subway-footlong-sandwich-settlement-is-thrown-out-u-s-court-idUSKCN1B52H2 |access-date=February 12, 2018 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=August 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212142215/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-subway-decision-footlong/worthless-subway-footlong-sandwich-settlement-is-thrown-out-u-s-court-idUSKCN1B52H2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Subway foot-long settlement 'utterly worthless' to customers, 7th Circuit says|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/subway_foot_long_settlement_utterly_worthless_to_customers_7th_circuit |access-date=12 February 2018 |work=[[ABA Journal]]|date=30 August 2017 |language=en |archive-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212142140/http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/subway_foot_long_settlement_utterly_worthless_to_customers_7th_circuit |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Franchise relations===
In 1995, Subway Sandwich Shops, Fred DeLuca, Peter Buck, and Doctor's Associates Inc. were held liable for breach of contract. An Illinois jury awarded more than $10 million in damages to Nicholas and Victoria Jannotta after finding lease and contract violations. The plaintiffs claimed the defendants had misrepresented the asset value of Subway Sandwich Shops (a leasing company used by Doctor's Associates for franchising purposes) while negotiating a 1985 lease agreement.<ref name="NationsRestaurantNews">{{cite news |title=Subway ordered to pay $10M in punitive damages to ex-landlord |author=Robin Lee Allen |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_n49_v29/ai_17847096/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106155226/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_n49_v29/ai_17847096/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2012 |date=December 11, 1995 |access-date=August 8, 2011 |work=Nation's Restaurant News}}</ref>

The U.S. House of Representatives' small business committee studied the franchise industry from 1992 to 1998. Dean Sagar noted, "Subway is the biggest problem in franchising and emerges as one of the key examples of every abuse you can think of."<ref name="FortuneMagazine">{{cite news |title=Why Subway Is 'The Biggest Problem In Franchising' That's the assessment of a congressional staffer who studied |author=Richard Behar |url=http://nextraterrestrial.com/pdf/FDeluca-Fortune%20March%2016%201998.htm |work=Forbes Magazine |date=March 16, 1998 |access-date=August 8, 2011 |archive-date=September 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906121752/http://nextraterrestrial.com/pdf/FDeluca-Fortune%20March%2016%201998.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, the U.S. Small Business Administration refused small business loans to Subway franchise owners until Subway removed a contract clause which gave it the power to seize and purchase any franchise without cause. ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' reported Subway had seized American soldier Leon Batie Jr.'s Subway stores in 2006 while he was serving in Afghanistan.<ref name="DallasNews">{{cite news |title=Soldier suing after being stripped of Subway restaurant franchises |author=Karen Robinson-Jacobs |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-franvet_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3bfb0e4.html |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=June 21, 2009 |access-date=July 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623075508/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-franvet_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3bfb0e4.html |archive-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> He had been deployed to support [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in March 2005, three years after buying his first restaurant.<ref name="DallasNews"/> Batie alleged Subway had violated the U.S. [[Servicemembers Civil Relief Act]]. He filed a federal lawsuit against Subway, which was dismissed. He then filed suit in state court in Dallas County, Texas. Both parties settled on "mutually agreeable" and confidential terms in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Robinson-Jacobs |first=Karen |title=Subway, soldier settle Dallas franchise dispute |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2010/01/05/20100104-Subway-soldier-settle-Dallas-franchise-3530 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=January 5, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2011 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141803/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2010/01/05/20100104-Subway-soldier-settle-Dallas-franchise-3530 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===United Kingdom VAT treatment===
In October 2010, Subway franchisees in the United Kingdom lost a high court appeal against paying standard [[Value-added tax|VAT]] on all toasted subs, as required by [[HM Revenue and Customs]]. Thus, in the United Kingdom, a toasted sub attracts VAT, whereas a cold sub, eaten off the premises, does not. Competitors such as [[Quiznos]] and [[McDonald's]] do not pay VAT on similar food.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/subway-wrangle-over-vat-could-4982720 |title=Subway wrangle over VAT could be heading to high court |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=January 4, 2011 |access-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518123521/http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/subway-wrangle-over-vat-could-4982720 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taxation.co.uk/taxation/node/21166 |title=Big butties, small mindedness |publisher=Taxation |date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026072443/http://www.taxation.co.uk/taxation/node/21166 |archive-date=October 26, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://howladerandco.com/subway-vat-appeal-subway-loses/337/ |title=Subway VAT appeal: Subway loses |publisher=Howlader & Co |date=November 4, 2010 |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=August 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818021122/http://howladerandco.com/subway-vat-appeal-subway-loses/337/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2012, [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], [[George Osborne]] announced plans to close the loophole that allows Subway competitors to offer hot food without paying VAT. This legislation was expected to come into force from October 2012 onward,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17468868 |work=BBC News |title=Budget 2012: VAT move could 'hit cost of bacon rolls' |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618153925/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17468868 |url-status=live}}</ref> but on May 28, 2012, the government withdrew plans to charge VAT on originally hot food being allowed to cool naturally.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18244640 |work=BBC News |title=Government does U-turn over 'Cornish pasty tax' |date=May 28, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623073619/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18244640 |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2012, Subway launched the "Toast the Tax" campaign to put pressure on [[Government of the United Kingdom|the government]] to drop VAT on toasted sandwiches, as it has done for hot savouries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaw |first=Martin |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/david-cameron-birkby-v-david-4950101 |title=David Cameron of Birkby v David Cameron of Downing Street in toastie tax row |work=Huddersfield Examiner |date=June 24, 2012 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518120005/http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/david-cameron-birkby-v-david-4950101 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Footlong trademark disputes===
On January 31, 2011, Subway lawyer Valerie Pochron wrote to [[Casey's General Stores]], a chain of Iowa-based convenience stores, demanding that the small chain cease using the term "footlong" in advertisements for its 12-inch sandwiches. Subway threatened to sue. Consequently, in February 2011, Casey's General Stores Inc. filed a petition in a U.S. District Court in [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]], seeking a legal declaration that the word "footlong" does not violate Subway's rights.<ref name="caseys">{{cite news |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-02-14-subway-caseys-footlong-suit_N.htm |title=Casey's sues Subway over rights to 'footlong' |work=USA Today |date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2011 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120050457/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-02-14-subway-caseys-footlong-suit_N.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Casey's further sought a declaration that the word "footlong" is a generic description of a sandwich measuring one foot.<ref>{{cite web |last=Welte |first=Melanie S. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna41584626 |title=Iowa store chain sues Subway over 'footlong' |publisher=NBC News |date=February 14, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2011 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923231945/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41584626 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.iasd.43593 |title=Complaint, Casey's v. Subway, No. 4:11-cv-64 (S. D. Iowa) |date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> Before serving its complaint on Subway, Casey's voluntarily dismissed its action, ending the litigation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.iasd.43593 |title=Motion for voluntary dismissal, Casey's v. Subway, No. 4:11-cv-64 (S. D. Iowa) |date=May 3, 2011}}</ref>

Subway's trademark application for "footlong" has yet to be approved by the federal government. Subway has attempted to register it with the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] twice. It filed on November 8, 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77324328&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |title=U. S. Patent and Trademark Office, ''footlong'' application #1, s/n 77324328 |access-date=February 10, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511081924/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77324328&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |url-status=live}}</ref> and June 4, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77752328&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |title=U. S. Patent and Trademark Office, ''footlong'' application #2, s/n 77752328 |access-date=February 10, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511081924/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77752328&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |url-status=live}}</ref> Both filings have been abandoned, on November 20, 2013, and August 21, 2014, respectively. [[Yum Brands]] (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and non-Canadian A&W locations), Long John Silver's, and other competitors opposed the applications.<ref name="caseys"/>

===Ingredients===
Subway removed [[azodicarbonamide]] from its bread after food blogger and activist [[Vani Hari]] gathered more than 50,000 signatures in a [[petition]] drive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/QualityBread.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140226214846/http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/QualityBread.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 26, 2014 |title=Our Commitment to Our Customers: Serving Quality Products Subway Introduces Azo Free Bread in the US and Canada |publisher=subway.com}}</ref> Before Vani Hari's petition, Subway had used azodicarbonamide as a bread conditioner, to whiten the dough and allow [[sandwich bread]] to bake more quickly. {{as of|2016}}, the ingredient was still used by other fast food restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/chemical-subway-ditched-mcdonalds-wendys-use-it-too-n25051 |title=That Chemical Subway Ditched? McDonald's, Wendy's Use it Too - NBC News |newspaper=NBC News |access-date=December 31, 2016 |archive-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124233345/http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/chemical-subway-ditched-mcdonalds-wendys-use-it-too-n25051 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2015, Vani Hari again petitioned Subway in conjunction with [[Natural Resources Defense Council]], [[Friends of the Earth (US)|Friends of the Earth]], the [[Center for Food Safety]], [[Public Interest Research Group|U.S. Public Interest Research Group]] to commit to buying meat produced without the routine use of [[antibiotics]] and to provide a timeline for doing so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/281c67ec64564506b17f8f59c8083395/subway-transition-meat-raised-without-antibiotics|title=Subway to transition to meat raised without antibiotics|website=The Big Story|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023210006/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/281c67ec64564506b17f8f59c8083395/subway-transition-meat-raised-without-antibiotics|archive-date=23 October 2015|access-date=April 20, 2016}}</ref> In October 2015, Subway announced it would transition to chicken raised without antibiotics in 2016 and turkey within the following 2–3 years, and would also transition beef and pork raised without antibiotics by 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/20/450314991/subway-joins-the-fast-food-antibiotic-free-meat-club |title=Subway Joins The Fast-Food, Antibiotic-Free Meat Club |newspaper=NPR |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413191817/http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/20/450314991/subway-joins-the-fast-food-antibiotic-free-meat-club |url-status=live |last1=Charles |first1=Dan }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/AntibioticFreeRelease10.20.15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423013158/https://www.subway.com/subwayroot/about_us/PR_Docs/AntibioticFreeRelease10.20.15.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2016 |url-status=dead |title=SUBWAY Restaurants Elevates Current Antibiotic-Free Policy U.S. Restaurants Will Only Serve Animal Proteins That Have Never Been Treated With Antibiotics |website=Subway.com}}</ref>

In 2020, the [[Supreme Court of Ireland]] ruled that Subway bread had too high a sugar content to be classed as bread for VAT reasons, with its recipe including sugar equal to 10% of the weight of the flour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sandwiches in Subway 'too sugary to meet legal definition of being bread' |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sandwiches-in-subway-too-sugary-to-meet-legal-definition-of-being-bread-39574778.html |access-date=1 October 2020 |work=independent |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001120742/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sandwiches-in-subway-too-sugary-to-meet-legal-definition-of-being-bread-39574778.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, a lawsuit was filed against the company alleging that the ingredient Subway bills as "[[tuna]]" was a mixture of "various concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by defendants to imitate the appearance of tuna". The company's senior director for global food safety and quality said in a statement that "Our restaurants receive pure tuna, mix it with mayonnaise and serve on a freshly made sandwich to our guests."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carman |first1=Tim |title=Subway's tuna is not tuna, but a 'mixture of various concoctions,' a lawsuit alleges |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/01/27/subway-tuna-lawsuit/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=27 January 2021}}</ref> The investigative TV show ''[[Inside Edition]]'' sent samples of Subway's tuna salad to [[Applied Food Technologies]], a Florida company that carries out DNA testing of seafood. According to that company, "Yes, we confirmed that tuna was definitely in all three samples we received."<ref>{{cite news | author = Staff| title =Do Subway's Tuna Sandwiches Actually Contain Tuna? Inside Edition Investigates | newspaper =[[Inside Edition]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =February 11, 2021 | url =https://www.insideedition.com/do-subways-tuna-sandwiches-actually-contain-tuna-inside-edition-investigates-64885| accessdate =June 22, 2021}}</ref> Subway established a website, SubwayTunaFacts.com, to refute the claims that they did not use real tuna, which they have denied unambiguously.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://subwaytunafacts.com/| title =Subway Tuna is ''Real'' Tuna| last = | first = | date =2021 | website =SubwayTunaFacts.com| publisher =Subway| access-date =July 22, 2021 | quote = The truth is, Subway uses wild-caught skipjack tuna regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A favorite among sub lovers, our tuna is and has always been high-quality, premium and 100% real.}}</ref>

===Soy protein in chicken products===
In an investigation by the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)]]'s consumer affairs television series ''[[Marketplace (Canadian TV program)|Marketplace]]'' aired in February 2017, chicken from five fast-food restaurants was lab-tested to determine constituents. While DNA testing found between 84.9% and 89.4% of the DNA from other restaurants' chicken products to be chicken DNA, with the remaining being unidentifiable plant DNA, on the two Subway chicken items tested, 53.6% and 42.8% of the DNA was found to be chicken, with the remainder being mostly soy. Although ingredients listings did show soy protein to be a constituent of both of the chicken products, Subway states that the proportion is less than or equal to 1% and that the finding of about 50% soy DNA is not representative of the actual amount of soy in the product. Subway has called CBC's report "absolutely false and misleading" and demanded that it be retracted. Meanwhile, however, Subway Canada stated that it was investigating with its supplier to ensure that the proportion of soy protein was as per expectations.<ref>{{cite news |title=The chicken challenge: Testing your fast food - Marketplace - CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2015-2016/chicken |website=cbc.ca |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308021244/http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2015-2016/chicken |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fast food chicken: Testing Subway, McDonald's, A&W, Wendy's & Tim Hortons (CBC Marketplace) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd3Trr8Xrdc |website=[[YouTube]] |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308023532/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd3Trr8Xrdc |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What's in your chicken sandwich? DNA test shows Subway sandwiches could contain just 50% chicken - Business - CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-chicken-fast-food-1.3993967 |website=cbc.ca |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308021252/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-chicken-fast-food-1.3993967 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Company responses: Chicken - Marketplace - CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/blog/company-responses-chicken |website=cbc.ca |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305215903/http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/blog/company-responses-chicken |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Subway defends its chicken after CBC Marketplace report |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-defends-its-chicken-after-cbc-marketplace-report-1.4005268 |website=cbc.ca |date=March 1, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307144747/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-defends-its-chicken-after-cbc-marketplace-report-1.4005268 |url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Subway's website, U.S. stores' ingredients may differ from those in Canadian stores. Both countries include soy protein in chicken strips, but only the U.S. version states that it is present in quantities of 2% or less. The Canadian version includes soy as an ingredient in its chicken patty, but the United States version does not.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Subway Denies That Its Chicken Is 50% Filler |url=https://time.com/4686280/subway-chicken-fast-food-filler/ |access-date=May 14, 2017 |magazine=Time |date=March 5, 2017 |archive-date=May 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508045855/http://time.com/4686280/subway-chicken-fast-food-filler/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2017, Subway sued the CBC, as well as the reporter and two producers, for $210 million, alleging the CBC acted "recklessly and maliciously" and that "these false statements... were published and republished, maliciously and without just cause or excuse, to a global audience, which has resulted in pecuniary loss to the plaintiffs." The CBC stood by its reports, stating that the DNA tests were done by independent and credible experts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Subway files defamation suit against CBC over chicken reports |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cbc-subway-chicken-lawsuit-1.4074401 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |work=CBC News |date=April 18, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525034741/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cbc-subway-chicken-lawsuit-1.4074401 |url-status=live}}</ref> The CBC's Emma Bédard stated that Subway had not provided an alternative explanation for the DNA test results obtained by the CBC.<ref name="torstar-cbcsuit">{{cite news |title=Subway says it plans to sue CBC for $210 million over chicken findings |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/16/subway-says-it-plans-to-sue-cbc-for-210-million-over-chicken-findings.html |website=Toronto Star |date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522172714/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/16/subway-says-it-plans-to-sue-cbc-for-210-million-over-chicken-findings.html |url-status=live |last1=Lalani |first1=Azzura}}</ref>

In November 2019, Subway's lawsuit against the CBC was dismissed through anti-[[Strategic lawsuit against public participation|SLAPP]] legislation, as CBC's reporting was deemed to be a matter of public interest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loriggio |first1=Paul |title=Ontario court dismisses Subway's lawsuit against CBC over chicken report |url=https://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/ontario-court-dismisses-subways-lawsuit-against-cbc-over-chicken-report/ |website=Canadian Business |date=November 29, 2019 |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204203934/https://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/ontario-court-dismisses-subways-lawsuit-against-cbc-over-chicken-report/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Judge dismisses Subway's $210M lawsuit against CBC over chicken sandwich exposé |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-cbc-chicken-lawsuit-1.5370473 |website=CBC News |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126025943/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-cbc-chicken-lawsuit-1.5370473 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2021 the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the decision dismissing the lawsuit. The Supreme Court of Canada denied leave for appeal, so the matter has been returned to the Superior Court of Justice for trial.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 11, 2021|title=Subway's defamation suit against CBC over report on chicken content allowed to proceed|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/subway-cbc-supreme-court-1.6103764|website=CBC News}}</ref>

===Underpaying workers===
In 2019, the Fair Work Ombudsman found that 17 Australian-based Subway franchises had underpaid workers.<ref name="ABCunderpay">{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |title=Subway forced to cough up workers' unpaid wages in crackdown on fast-food sector |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/subway-employees-recover-unpaid-wages/11563342 |access-date=26 December 2019 |agency=ABC News |date=1 October 2019 |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224111400/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/subway-employees-recover-unpaid-wages/11563342 |url-status=live}}</ref> The lengthy investigation by the Ombudsman specifically found that franchises failed to pay the employees minimum wages, casual loadings, holiday and overtime rates, and did not issue proper pay slips or keep proper employment records.<ref name=ABCunderpay/> The investigation resulted in over $81,000 being recovered in unpaid wages for over 160 employees.<ref name=ABCunderpay/> Subway responded by introducing a rolling audit of franchisee employment records and commented that franchise agreements could be terminated if franchisees failed to meet Australian workplace laws and Subway's internal standards of operation.<ref name=ABCunderpay/>

=== Calls for boycott over the Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Subway was criticized for not divesting or scaling back its operations in Russia, unlike most of its competitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schott |first=Paul |date=2022-03-18 |title=As calls to boycott Subway intensify, CT company resists pulling out of Russia |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/As-calls-to-boycott-Subway-intensify-CT-company-17012189.php |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318194351/https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/As-calls-to-boycott-Subway-intensify-CT-company-17012189.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Opinion: Stop buying from these companies. They're funding Putin's war.|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/16/boycott-companies-business-russia-putin-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221108124536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/16/boycott-companies-business-russia-putin-ukraine-war/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Corbett |first=Kelly |date=18 March 2022 |title=Here's Why Twitter Is Calling for Americans to Boycott Subway|work=Distractify |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/subway-russia-boycott}}</ref> Subway issued a statement saying its corporate office does not own any of the 446 Subway stores in Russia, and issued a statement saying, "In addition to working with our franchisees across Europe to provide meals to refugees, we will redirect any profits from operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts supporting Ukrainians who have been affected by the war. Our restaurants in Russia are all independently owned and operated by local franchisees and managed by an independent master franchisee."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/subway-pepsico-more-firms-still-26480627|title=Subway, PepsiCo and more firms still trading in Russia 21 days since Ukraine war began|author=Munbodh, Emma|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]|language=en-GB|url-status=live|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=February 26, 2023|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316113012/https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/subway-pepsico-more-firms-still-26480627}}</ref> Nevertheless, Ukraine's [[National Agency on Corruption Prevention]] stated that Subway continues advertising in Russia and collecting payments from its Russian franchisees, and listed Subway among [[International Sponsors of War]] in January 2024.<ref>[https://nazk.gov.ua/uk/novyny/fastfud-yakyy-diysno-vbyvae-nazk-vneslo-subway-do-pereliku-mizhnarodnyh-sponsoriv-viyny/ Фастфуд, який дійсно вбиває: НАЗК внесло Subway до переліку міжнародних спонсорів війни], [[National Agency on Corruption Prevention]], 10.01.2024</ref> Despite the list being withdrawn following diplomatic pressure, in June 2024, Subway announced the termination of its Russian franchise agreements, and in August 2025, the former Russian franchisee, having lost the Subway trademark rights, rebranded to ''Subjoy''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biz.liga.net/en/all/fmcg/novosti/subway-withdraws-its-brand-from-russia-restaurants-will-be-renamed-subjoy|title=Subway withdraws from Russia; restaurants to be renamed Subjoy|author=Vodianyi, Andrii|newspaper=LIGA.net|language=en|date=October 7, 2025|access-date=October 7, 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of restaurant chains]]
* [[List of submarine sandwich restaurants]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Subway (restaurant)}}
* {{Official website|https://www.subway.com/en-us}}

{{Subway restaurant}}
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
{{Food chains in Australia}}
{{Restaurant chains in Ireland}}
{{Food chains in Japan}}
{{Food chains in the Philippines}}
{{Food chains in Poland|state=collapsed}}
{{Food chains in South Korea}}
{{Food chains in Taiwan}}
{{Food chains in the United Kingdom}}
{{Portal bar|Connecticut|Florida|Companies|Food}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Subway (restaurant)| ]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Companies based in Fairfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Companies based in New Haven County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Economy of the Northeastern United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Australia]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Canada]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Singapore]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Milford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Multinational food companies]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in Singapore]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1965]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Submarine sandwich restaurants]]
[[Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Companies that have filed for bankruptcy in Brazil]]
[[Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy]]