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Subway is proof of marketing and a cheap franchise system over quality and content.
The costs to setup a subway store are pretty small (higher now with grilled sandwiches, which usually requires a hood for venting and sprinklers), and the ability to literally "toss one up" in a couple of weeks at a low cost has made them the food franchise of choice in many markets. Combined with small to no protected area (I have a couple of places near me where you can actually stand at the door of a Subway and see another one in the distance), people are often very interested to get into the game.
It is a low skill, everything spelled out for you type franchise system with strong national advertising and a very recognizable logo and branding. Positioned near any industrial park, school, or commercial area, the combination is pretty powerful.
Subway (and many other "fast food" places) are suffering from the Atkins craze and the move to lower carb food. Most Atkins types (me included) stay away from all bread, and Subway is pretty much all about bread. They have some lower carb items, but like thier low fat items, there is always a huge asterix next to their claims that pretty much makes it impossible to accept them straight up.
They are a success from all standpoints though. They have enough franchises and enough profile to get involved with top end promotions (including NASCAR and other sports) and to be in the special class of "national advertising buyers" which pretty much puts them over the top. Market saturation is pretty much a done deal now, and more of the growth in the system will come from increases in same store sales, which is likely why they moved to grilled products to open new lines and price points. Raising total ticket while maintain traffic leads to improved sales per store.
I wouldn't eat there in a hundred years.
Alex
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