Food & Beverage

Subway to launch 'biggest changes in brand's history' on July 13

From its fresh-baked loaves, to some of its signature proteins, Subway said it will soon be a changed brand, thanks to the biggest menu revamp in its history.

Subway will close its stores at 6 p.m. on July 12 to prepare for its menu changes, starting July 13. (Photo provided)

July 6, 2021

Subway announced a sweeping menu transformation — what it called the "biggest changes in the brand's history" — that will see its U.S. stores closing at 6 p.m. on July 12 to prepare for, along with the give-away of 1 million sandwiches nationwide on July 13.

The brand said in a news release that its so-called Eat Fresh Refresh brings improvements to nearly every central menu item, accompanied by digital upgrades that it hopes will elevate customers' experience of the sandwich-based QSR, all beginning July 13.

The more than 20 menu updates include 11 new ingredients, six added sandwiches and four revamped signature sandwiches. In fact, the Florida-based brand said it even spent two years working with what it called "world-class bakers" to release essentially revamp its Italian bread into Artisan Italian and replace its wheat bread with Hearty Multigrain. Customers will get an assist in trying the new offerings on July 13 when Subway will give away up to 1 million free six-inch turkey subs from 10 a.m. to noon local time, with each store giving 50 of the sandwiches to the first 50 diners to come in and request the sub.

"Subway has been serving freshly made, customizable and better-for-you sandwiches for more than 50 years, and we wanted to give our guests more new and improved flavors," Trevor Haynes, Subway president, North America, said in the release. "Our new culinary team is delivering monumental updates to the entire core menu. The Eat Fresh Refresh makes Subway better than ever with freshly made, craveable and delicious sandwiches to excite new and returning guests."

The brand has also added new sauces and proteins, including deli thin-sliced ham and turkey, hickory-smoked bacon, smashed avocado, fresh mozzarella and an MVP Parmesan Vinaigrette. New sandwiches include the Turkey Cali Fresh, Steak Cali Fresh and All-American Club.

And about that tuna …

But the brand said that one of its recently more controversial ingredients — its tuna, which was the subject of New York Times lab testing, which failed to identify the presence of identifiable tuna in it — remains unchanged. The brand said, "One ingredient that doesn't need an upgrade is the Subway high-quality, premium tuna. Subway sources tuna from leading global food suppliers that have a reputation for working diligently with food safety and quality experts to ensure consistent, high-quality products at every stage of the supply chain. The 100% wild-caught tuna remains a fan favorite among sub lovers. "

Digital upgrades

Subway said it has also revamped its app and worked to make improvements with its third-party delivery partners to improve the guest experience. The company said its digital enhancements are meant to duplicate the Subway in-store experience online with a new app dashboard, improved ordering flow and insight into out-of-stock items. Subway Delivery is also starting in select areas nationally allowing customers to place delivery orders through the Subway App and Subway.com, while its stores will sport some added design refinements and remodels

Globally, Subway has more than 40,000 stores, and about 20,000 franchisees, with what the brand told QSRweb are about 10,000 U.S. franchisees.

Here is a rundown of the new and returning sandwiches, Subway will start offering on July 13:

• Turkey Cali Fresh: Oven-roasted turkey, hickory-smoked bacon, smashed avocado, fresh mozzarella, mayo, spinach, red onion and tomatoes on freshly baked hearty multigrain bread.

• Steak Cali Fresh: Steak, hickory-smoked bacon, smashed avocado, fresh mozzarella topped with spinach, red onion, tomatoes and mayo on hearty multigrain bread.

• Subway Club: Oven-roasted turkey, black forest ham, roast beef, lettuce, tomato and red onions on hearty multigrain bread.

• All-American Club: Oven-roasted turkey, black forest ham and hickory-smoked bacon, with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions on toasted artisan Italian bread.

• Rotisserie-Style Chicken: A customized rotisserie-Style chicken sandwiches.

• Roast Beef: Fan-favorite roast beef returns this fall with a better, premium Angus roast beef.