Subway released its 2010 development numbers, which included the opening of 2,147 new locations in 67 countries, seven Canadian provinces and all 50 U.S. states.
The year lifted Subway’s systemwide restaurant count to a total of 33,959. The chain reached its record of 33,000 worldwide stores in June.
Broken down, the new openings for the year include:
- 1,006 international locations;
- 1,038 U.S. stores; and
- 103 Canadian outlets
Milestones also were reached in the United Kingdom, with the opening of the 1,400th location; Australia, at 1,200; and Brazil, with its 400th unit.
Additionally, Brazil had 100 locations open within seven months, allowing the country to end the year with more than 500 restaurants. Further milestones included 200 locations in France, 100 in Russia, 100 in Taiwan, 100 in the United Arab Emirates and 50 locations in Malaysia.
Additionally, 2010 saw the opening of the first Subway restaurants in Barbados and St. Vincent.
Franchise milestones
Franchising continues to play a huge role in the Subway system. In 2010, Subway reached 10,000 international locations that are owned and operated by more than 6,000 franchisees. The total worldwide franchisee count is 17,000, which includes more than 11,000 U.S. franchisees.
Non-traditionals
Last year’s new openings included 559 non-traditional locations, bringing the chain's total number of restaurants in places such as airports, colleges campuses, convenience stores, and hospitals to more than 7,700.
Recent openings in this unique category include Subway stores at airports in Brazil, Spain and Malaysia; an automobile showroom in California; movie theaters in India and Switzerland; college campuses around the world; grocery stores; a ferry terminal in Seattle; a riverboat in Germany; a ski resort in Finland; a zoo in Taiwan; and a new Subway restaurant on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, N.J.
Additional highlights
Subway’s additional highlights for 2010 include the rollout of a breakfast menu at 25,000 U.S. and Canadian locations, making the chain the largest purveyor of the daypart in North America.
Subway president and co-founder Fred DeLuca was recognized with a Golden Chain award at the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference (MUFSO).
Also, research firm Sandelman and Associates ranked Subway as the No. 1 provider of healthy and nutritious food; Decision Analyst named Subway as having the most trusted nutrition claims among fast food brands; Harris Interactive listed Subway as the highest ranked quick-service restaurant in brand equity; Brandindex named Subway the No. 1 QSR chain; and the Zagat Fast Food survey ranked Subway No. 1 in service, popularity and healthy options.
