Operations

Subway sales up following historic brand refresh

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September 21, 2021

Subway's Eat Fresh Refresh campaign, which featured its biggest menu changes, is also playing a major role in its sales momentum since the start of 2021, according to a press release.

The brand has experienced positive same store sales in Q2 of 2021, versus Q2 of 2019, and the Eat Fresh Refresh launch accelerated this momentum, with August sales the strongest Subway has experienced since 2013.

Overall U.S. restaurants sales in August are up more than 4%, compared to the same period in 2019. The top-performing quartile, representing over 5,000 restaurants, experienced a 33% increase in sales and the top three combined quartiles, about 16,000 restaurants, averaged an increase of nearly 14%. In addition, during the week of the Eat Fresh Refresh launch, Subway had its highest average unit volume per week in over eight years and the company is expecting to beat its sales plan for the year by more than $1 billion.

"The journey to build a better Subway has begun, and the changes are having a positive impact on restaurant sales," John Chidsey, Subway CEO, said in the release. "As we continue this journey, our priority is working hand-in-hand with our dedicated network of franchisees to ensure they have the tools and support needed to grow their business and experience a positive return, resulting in franchisees continuing to invest in their business and the brand."

Subway operates nearly 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.