Subway sandwich shops have been a staple in the food industry for over six decades and are known worldwide as “Eating Fresh.” However, many franchises have struggled to stay afloat recently. This raises questions about what steps can be taken to ensure their continued success.
Subway was once a thriving chain but now its struggling financially. To understand why this has happened read on!
The Downfall of Subway
Subway’s decline can be attributed to several factors, chief among them being a decrease in food quality. Additionally the arrest and subsequent sentencing of Jared Fogle – their most famous spokesperson- had an adverse impact on brand perception. Furthermore customers have voiced concerns about issues with Subways loyalty program which is plagued by flaws and problems. These challenges are indicative of larger systemic issues that need addressing if they hope to remain competitive within this crowded market segment.
Subway’s numerous closings have raised questions about the dysfunction behind their decision making process. To gain insight into this matter and other related issues concerning Subways closure read on!
1.Jared Fogle – A Concerning Case
Subway seemed destined for greatness with its “Eat Fresh” slogan and spokesperson Jared Fogle. The fast food chain was on the path to surpassing some of the biggest names in the industry. But what would happen next? Only time could tell…
Fogle coined the term “Subway Diet” after losing an impressive 245 pounds by consuming only Subways sandwiches. This diet plan proved to be highly effective for him.
In 2015 Fogle was embroiled in a scandal involving underage sex which ultimately led to his arrest and conviction. This unfortunate turn of events marked the end of what had been an otherwise successful career for this once beloved figure. The publics trust in him shattered forever by these revelations about his personal life.
The Subway brand faced a significant setback to its image that it has yet to fully recover from. This is something they must work diligently on in order regain the trust of their customers and maintain market share.
2. Eating Not So Fresh
Subway’s slogan “Eat Fresh” implies that their food is healthier and superior to other fast-food brands. This message resonates with customers who are looking for a nutritious meal option on the go.
Subway foods are often mistaken for healthy options but they’re actually packed with cards, salts, sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. Its important to be aware of what you’re putting into your body when making dietary choices.
Subway products are only shipped once a week which may compromise the freshness of their ingredients. This could be detrimental to your health and taste buds alike. Its best to seek out other options for optimal quality food delivery services that prioritize timely shipments with fresher ingredients.
Regular customers voiced their displeasure with wilting toppings and faded appearance while employees divulged that some items were close to expiration. This situation requires immediate attention from management in order to maintain customer satisfaction levels.
The Subway MyWay Rewards program, which was introduced in 2018, promised customers that they would earn four tokens for every dollar spent. This initiative aimed to reward loyalty and encourage repeat business by offering tangible benefits to frequent patrons of the restaurant chain. The system has been successful thus far with many satisfied participants who appreciate being recognized for their patronage. With such an attractive offer on hand it is no wonder why so many people continue choosing Subway as their go-to dining destination!
For every $50 spent, they would earn a whopping $2 after reaching 200 tokens. This translates to an impressive reward of two dollars for each fifty bucks invested! Its no wonder why so many people are eagerly participating in this program. With such generous rewards on offer its hard not to get excited about what’s next!
The discovery of software glitches and data collection issues within Subways mobile apps resulted in poor customer experiences. These shortcomings negatively impacted the overall quality of service provided by this establishment.
Subway has pledged to rectify the system in order to regain consumer trust.
4. Meats Filled With Soy and Byproducts
Consumers expect food to be healthy and made with natural, quality ingredients. When they believe this is the case their trust in the product increases. It’s important for companies to deliver on these expectations by providing transparency about what goes into making each dish or meal. This can help build a loyal customer base who values honesty and authenticity above all else.
Unfortunately, CBS Marketplace found that meats such as Subways chicken contained soy and questionable byproducts.
Incredibly DNA testing revealed that consumers only received 53% oven roasted chicken and a mere 46% in Teriyaki strips. This is truly astonishing! It raises questions about the quality of food being served at restaurants today. Consumers deserve better than this!
Subway filed a lawsuit against CBS after they conducted tests that lacked scientific rigor. Despite this action the harm had already been done to their reputation and image in public perception.
5.Disgruntled Franchise Owners – Dirty Laundry
Subway’s corporate offices decision to reintroduce the $5 footlong caused outrage among 400 Franchisees who expressed their displeasure. This move was seen as a unilateral action that did not take into account the concerns of those affected by it. The franchise owners were left feeling frustrated and powerless in this situation.
The promotion was seen as a potential threat to sales rather than an opportunity for growth by those who were angered. This belief stemmed from their conviction that it would harm business instead of boosting profits.
Subways sales took a further hit after news broke about franchise owners’ dissatisfaction. This development highlighted the urgent need for action by Subways management team to address these concerns and prevent any additional losses in revenue.
Its not easy to attract new investors when business owners divulge that corporations are taking advantage of them. This revelation can have a negative impact on the reputation and credibility of these companies. Therefore its important for corporate leaders to prioritize fairness in their dealings with small businesses if they want to maintain trust among potential partners.
6.The Subway Market Became Increasingly Competitive
Subway was a game changer when it entered the market as the only national chain in town. Its arrival marked an important moment for consumers who had previously been limited by their options.
Subway has faced stiff competition from other sandwich chains like Firehouse Subs, Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mikes and Quiznos in recent years. This has resulted in a smaller slice of the market for them compared to before.
Subway faced a series of scandals during the same time period when an influx of new restaurants began appearing. This coincidence could have contributed to their struggles at that time.
Subway has faced significant challenges since 2018 resulting in over a thousand store closures. This trend continues to this day making it no surprise that they are struggling with their business operations. The question remains whether or not Subway will be able to turn things around and regain market share. Only time will tell if they can succeed where others have failed.
7.Subway’s Brand – A Case Study in Stagnation
As Subway continues to expand its brand, so does the staleness of their advertising. With each passing day it becomes more apparent that they need a fresh approach if they want to remain relevant in today’s competitive marketplace.
Subway’s “Eat Fresh” slogan was once a boon for the company but now it has become somewhat of an albatross as people discover what truly goes into their food.
Subway’s hesitation to adopt the all natural approach that competitors like Panera Bread embraced proved detrimental. This lack of action resulted in missed opportunities for growth and expansion within their market segment.
While its menu has remained unchanged for some time now and only recently added a breakfast option consumers seeking authenticity in their “Eat Fresh” experience are opting elsewhere.
8. Employees Are Severely Mistreated
Subway has faced allegations of mistreating its employees which further tarnishes the franchises image. Specifically it was reported that staff were underpaid and overworked.
Subway has been found to have violated federal law by neglecting their obligation of paying overtime as mandated. The requirement stipulates that employees must receive time and a half for any hours worked beyond the standard workweek.
While Americans may enjoy dining out at restaurants they don’t want to frequent establishments where employees are being mistreated or mismanaged. This could be a contributing factor in Subways decline in sales.
9.The 2020 Economy – What To Expect
The COVID pandemic has had a profound impact on the US economy and Subway franchise appears to be one of its most affected victims. The struggling chain is facing significant challenges due to this crisis.
In light of this reality Subways corporate arm chose to provide its franchisees with some relief by reducing their royalty fees from 8% downwards. This decision was made in order to support the growth and success of these business owners who play a crucial role within the company’s ecosystem. With this action taken by Subway they demonstrate that they value each individual contributor towards achieving overall organizational goals.
The brief respite from the crisis only lasted a few weeks, resulting in backlash against CEO John Chidsey. This turn of events left many feeling disappointed and frustrated with his leadership abilities during this challenging time.
10.Troublesome leadership
Many Subway franchise owners were forced to seek government assistance for rent relief. However some chose instead to close up shop and abandon their businesses altogether.
Subway’s decline and closures have been attributed to poor leadership by CEO John Chidsey according to many Subway restaurant owners.
Subway has undergone significant changes since Chidsey took over as CEO. The company let go of 500 corporate staffers, raised franchise start up costs and introduced new menu items that failed to impress consumers. These actions have left many wondering if Subway’s future is in jeopardy. It remains unclear whether or not these moves will ultimately benefit the brand long term.
The one item fast food giant’s lack of trust has resulted in a clash between those who have and those without. The disparity is evident as both sides fight for what they believe belongs to them.
A public display of infighting is not conducive to building consumer confidence and can eventually harm sales.
For those interested in learning more about Subway we have written posts on why their cookies are so delicious, the reason behind their higher prices and an overview of their stock. These articles provide valuable insights into this popular fast food chain.