{"id":66173,"date":"2025-05-01T16:58:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T16:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/66173\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T16:58:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T16:58:12","slug":"americas-largest-sandwich-chain-quietly-shutters-631-locations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/66173\/","title":{"rendered":"America’s largest sandwich chain quietly shutters 631 locations"},"content":{"rendered":"

By EMMA SALETTA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:45 EDT, 1 May 2025 | Updated: 11:21 EDT, 1 May 2025 <\/p>\n

Subway’s has fewer than 20,000 locations in the US for the first time in 20 years.<\/p>\n

The popular sandwich chain<\/a>\u00a0shut 631 underperforming restaurants last year,\u00a0 bringing the total to 19,502, according to franchise filings.<\/p>\n

It marks the eighth straight year Subway has shuttered restaurants in its home country. It peaked at around 27,000 stores in 2015.<\/p>\n

Despite the decline, Subway still holds the title of America’s largest restaurant chain by location count.<\/p>\n

The company has faced mounting competition, changing customer tastes, and lower average sales per store compared to rivals\u2014all contributing to its steady pullback.<\/p>\n

Multiple franchisees have also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection<\/a>, and the chain abruptly closed 23 locations across two states after a bank hacking nightmare<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 200 workers were left ‘totally blindsided’ by the 23 store closures and were left jobless.<\/p>\n

Subway said its ‘opening new restaurants as well as relocating or closing locations as needed, to ensure a consistent, high-quality and convenient guest experience.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Subway <\/p>\n

Subway closed approximately 631 locations in the US last year, making the nation’s store count be\u00a019,502<\/p>\n

Subway has struggled financially for several years and was\u00a0acquired by Roark Capital Group in 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Subway heirs agreed to sell the chain to Roark Capital for $9.6 billion following months of acquisition rumors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The move did not improve the chain’s sales in the US, but it continues to be successful in its international expansion.<\/p>\n

It continues to operate over 37,000 restaurants worldwide and is America’s largest sandwich chain.<\/p>\n

It’s also the third-largest restaurant chain in the world, behind McDonald’s<\/a>\u00a0and Starbucks.<\/p>\n

‘Subway achieved positive global net restaurant growth for the second consecutive year,’ a Subway spokesperson said in a statement to QSR magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The chain is also focusing on ‘Smart Growth,’ a development strategy focusing on increasing its profits and protecting its marketing position.<\/p>\n

Some of the plans in this strategy include opening new restaurants and relocating stores to ensure a ‘consistent, high-quality and convenient guest experience.’<\/p>\n

\"Subway <\/p>\n

Subway held the top sandwich sponsorship with the NFL from 2020 through the 2024 season\u00a0<\/p>\n

Subway is continuing to revamp its stores to fit its Fresh Forward 2.0 design.<\/p>\n

The design includes new elements like bold wall graphics with messages, elevated lighting, and support for the growth in digital innovations.<\/p>\n

‘Fresh Forward 2.0’ will be implemented in all Subway restaurants worldwide in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Besides financial and design restructuring, Subway made headlines for switching over to Pepsi from Coca-Cola beverages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fans were outraged by the decision, which the restaurant chain confirmed would happen last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subway was also replaced by fellow sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s as the official fast food sponsor of the NFL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other talked about changes Subway made over the last few months including offering the new limited-time Doritos Footlong Nachos<\/a>\u00a0and will relaunch its $6.99 any footlong deal tomorrow until May 31.<\/p>\n

Daily Mail has reached out to Subway for comment regarding the store closures.<\/p>\n

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