Subway® franchise

With over 2,500 locations in the UK and Ireland, and more than 43,000 stores in over 110 countries, a Subway® franchise is perfect for anyone keen to run their own business, whilst at the same time benefiting from Subway®’s finely tuned and developed franchise system.

Subway® is continuing to expand and is always looking for talented individuals to join the team and become a part of the success story. One of the key strengths behind the success of Subway® is the solid support network and robust processes in operation:

• Interactive online training courses are available through the University of Subway® for franchise owners and their staff
• Experienced Business Development Agents provide ongoing assistance and mentoring to help with site selection, leasing, operations, local store marketing and much more
• A franchisee-owned purchasing company, IPC Europe manages the purchasing and supply chain activity for all food, packaging, equipment and services in the UK, Ireland and other European countries.

In 2017, Subway® introduced a new ‘Fresh Forward’ store design, offering guests an enhanced and modern Subway® experience, with clean lines and customer focused touches, such as digital menu boards, special displays for cookies, bread baked in store daily and freshly cut vegetables.

Subway® stores can adapt to almost any size and type of location, existing or new, with minimal impact to the day-to-day operations.

All new Subway® franchise owners are required to attend a two-week training course at the Subway® Support Centre in Cambridge ahead of opening their own store. This intensive training programme provides them with an overview of operating a Subway® store and running a business, including classroom and in-store sessions. On completion of the training, franchise owners are well-equipped to take the next steps in opening their own store. Similar training programmes are available for Subway® store managers as well.

In addition to face-to-face training, Subway® also runs the University of Subway®, a well-established online training programme coordinated by the Subway® Support Centre in Connecticut, USA. Offering over 400 online courses for franchise owners and store staff, the University of Subway® has brought on-demand learning to more than one million individuals and has surpassed 15 million course completions since its launch in 2007.

An in-depth support structure is operated through Business Development Agents who have specific experience in opening and developing Subway® franchises and often own several outlets of their own.

There are 20 Business Development Offices in the UK and Ireland which assist and mentor all franchise owners with site selection, leasing, design, construction, hands-on training, purchasing, operations, advertising, local store marketing and more. The Business Development Office also provides continued support and mentoring once franchise owners have opened a Subway® store.

 The key attributes of a successful franchise owner include:

• Passionate about Subway®– with a good knowledge of the market
• Good motivator
• Possess business acumen and awareness
• Organised
• Effective time-management skills
• Articulate
• People-person
• Good listener
• Effective communicator
• Professional in outlook
• Open to advice and guidance

Key attributes revolve around the ability to take advice and guidance from others. Subway® offers full support and training both at the beginning of the relationship and on an ongoing basis. This essential support network provides franchise owners with a framework of contacts to draw upon who practical knowledge and can advise potential franchise owners on an ongoing basis.

The story of Subway® started more than 50 years ago when Dr Peter Buck, a nuclear physicist, changed the life of Fred De Luca, a college student, giving him the idea to help pay his college tuition with a few simple words: “Let’s open a submarine sandwich shop.”

The first store was opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in August 1965. Then, they set a goal of having 32 stores opened in 10 years. Fred soon learned the basics of running a business, as well as the importance of serving a well-made, high quality product, providing excellent customer service, keeping operating costs low and finding great locations. These early lessons continue to serve as the foundation for successful Subway® stores around the world.