QSR September 2022

GROWTH

SUBWAY’S IMAGE AND MENU REFRESH HAS HELPED IGNITE THE SYSTEM. 

SINCE SUBWAYBEGANFRANCHISING nearly 50 years ago, the company has grown with a singular focus on expansion, says Steve Rafferty, senior vice pres ident of development. And for decades, the strategy worked. Subway not only became the largest restaurant chain in the U.S., but the entire world. Rafferty, who joined the brand in September 2021 after long stints at Yum! Brands, Burger King, andDunkin’ Brands, says the sandwich giant is quite proud of that history and legacy, but the company also recognizes it’s time to evolve. Over the years, Subway became too large, and now, the restaurant is going through a major rationalization. The 100 percent franchised concept finished 2021 with 21,147 U.S. outlets, a net decrease of 3,650 units versus 2019—that number alonewould be among the top 15 big gest fast-food chains in America. McDonald’s recently surpassed Subway as the most ubiquitous restaurant in the world, but Subway still holds the top spot in the U.S. by more than 5,500 stores.

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