Less than sixty days after completing its sale to an Atlanta-based firm, Subway is reportedly looking to grow its presence in Georgia. Subway, which has roughly 37,000 restaurants worldwide, announced April 30 that it had completed its $9.6 billion sale to affiliates of Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group.
This week brought news that real estate brokerage Franklin Street is scouting new locations in Georgia for the chain as it looks to once again grow in the state. According to the Subway website, Georgia is already home to 710 locations, making it the chain's seventh largest U.S. market by unit count. California, Texas, and Florida are the chain's three largest markets with 2020, 1821, and 1206 locations, respectively.
Subway is able to operate so many locations because in reality, it doesn't operate any. Each restaurant is independently owned by local franchisees with several opting - likely for financial reasons - to open restaurants within other businesses such as those within Walmart or various convenience stores. The low barriers to entry and the willingness of Subway corporate to allow for many locations in a single geographic area have allowed the brand to become one of the biggest restaurant chains in the world.
In metro Atlanta, Subway has over the past decade or so closed several high profile and well-located restaurants such as those along Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, in both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, and Downtown near Centennial Olympic Park. The company also closed restaurants on Shallowford Road in East Cobb, Bolton Road near so the so-called "Upper Westside," and on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, among others.
According to Franklin Street, the company is now looking to grow via four specific unit types: Freestanding, inline, endcap and Drive-Thru. The new Subway restaurants will be 1,200 to 1,800 square feet with preference given to locations that offer outdoor dining and are located with grocery-anchored and similar "daily needs" centers, according to the Franklin Street materials.
Quiznos has all but given up the ghost, highlighted by its recent closure in Midtown, leaving the once high-flying Subway competitor with just one location - near Georgia State University - left open in the state. Rival Jersey Mike's Subs, however, has been on a growth spurt as of late and now has 118 locations open across the state with another 15 coming soon, according to its website.
To help reignite interest in the brand, Subway earlier this January introduced three new "Sidekicks," a collection of footlong churros (by Cinnabon), pretzels (by Auntie Anne's), and cookies. (Both Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's are franchises owned by GoTo Foods, another Roark-owned entity.)
"The introduction of Sidekicks builds on six decades of equity and expertise in all things footlong," said Douglas Fry, President of Subway North America at the time of the Sidekicks introduction. "This whole new category on our menu offers Subway fans something they can't get anywhere else and kicks off a year of culinary innovation and delicious new menu items. 2024 may be the most exciting chapter yet in our growth story," Fry added.
Subway joins a growing list of quick-serve restaurants looking to enter or grow in metro Atlanta. It will be interesting to see where they are able to secure space.
What chain sandwich shop do you think offers the best product? What sandwich shop - including those not currently here like Ike's, Wawa, and Potbelly - would you most like to see come to metro Atlanta? When was the last time you had a Subway sub?
Please share your thoughts below.
20 comments:
I eat Subway frequently - about 3 times per week. It's inexpensive and the employees at the one I visit are top notch. It's clearly not much better than a meh sandwich though. I like Jersey Mike's the best of the large chain sandwiches but it's more than twice the cost of Subway. My favorite sub is Baldinos, which I suppose is sort of a chain but only has a couple locations.
Jimmy John's, Arby's, Moe's Southwest Grill, Sonic, and Dunkin'. 5 places that I would rather eat dirt than have a meal from.
Good for folks that like it, but boy I just don't get the appeal of Subway. I put them in the same category as Blimpie. Marginal meat on marginal bread.
Tried Wawa for the first time in Florida late last year and their Italian was absolutely decent.
Around here still can't beat Publix for the best taste/value combination. Jersey Mike's is good but it's pricier.
And a 2nd to Baldino's...
Subway is sort of like Mcdonalds to me. You know what you get, not too terribly expensive and the same everywhere, but not very high on my list of places to eat. If I'm traveling and need a quick bite either may do, but again, not my first or even second choice. Publix is decent, but really just because I'm already there buying groceries.
Publix subs are very overrated. They aren’t close to how good they used to be, and they really aren’t priced that great. Plus it’s a hassle at most of their delis. I worked at Publix years ago so I know the difference all too well before somebody tries to say otherwise. Subway is fine in general for the price.
I think Publix is fine but definitely overhyped.
Their bread sits out and gets hard and the way they cut it causes the meats and toppings to slide around and all fall out. That, and theres always a long line so it's like a 20 minute endeavor just to get your sub. The order ahead works well but sometimnes you don't think that far ahead and the first ready time is 30 minutes from the time of order.
Subway quality can vary substantially based on the location and employees.
Never had an issue with the bread at Publix, but those lines can be deal killers for me.
Changing to Pepsi. I'll not be back.
I live in PC Corners, and both nearby Subways have closed in recent years. First, the one next to the Walgreens on Peachtree Parkway, then the one in the Dollar Tree plaza on Holcomb Bridge. The only one near me now, is the one off Winter's Chapel and 141 in Doraville. They need at least one more near where the others were.
I wish Baldinos would expand their footprint. Their subs are delicious and much better quality than subway.
Another "high profile" location that closed was on E Ponce in downtown Decatur. It was an easy walking distance from where I lived and there were several condo and apartment building in the neighborhood. It always seemed to be moderately busy. As noted by some other posters, Subway quality can vary from location to location, but my experience has been that the majority were at least pretty good.
Just went to Publix for the deli counter for some chicken tenders. Three lines, 8 deep each. Turned around and walked out.
Subway isn't even in the same ball park as Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs. If you you, you know. Unfortunately, there's only one left in metro Atlanta (Doraville). While there are several locations in south Georgia, we're all hoping that expansion is in the future in North Georgia.
I have to agree with other posters here, Baldino's has them all beat. I can't understand why they haven't taken over. First one one in Augusta about 30 years ago and was blown away by how good they are. The one in Doraville opened and as I was working nearby, I was ecstatic.
Earl of Sandwich is delicious, get it at work from catering.
Not sure why Subway is expanding with many other chains closing down. Was a customer in the past, but slow service and food quality issues made me go elsewhere.
Publix is my choice for a Pub Sub. Ordering on line is the way to go. Love that you can add or subtract items and make a salad instead of a sub.
For those who have issues with the Publix sub bread, try the wheat bread or ask for White Mountain bread.
As to other restaurants that sell subs, none are near work or home.
I wish we had Pot Belly in Atlanta Metro.
Earl of Sandwich used to be special when it first opened, but I haven't been too impressed the last few times I had them. Better than Subway of course, but sometimes I'm like meh.
Capriotti's in Kennesaw is my go-to now, even over Jersey Mikes.
Wawa would kill it here. Hoagies are good, not great, but better than any chain in town. Lately, the rolls a Publix have been disappointing and the lines even worse. Wawa can be packed and you're in and out in a reasonable amount of time.
Jimmy Johns is nasty.. Publix is cool but isn't necessarily a bargain for what it is. Firehouse has a good product but isn't marketed well. I prefer jersey Mike's over all, which is basically the same as Lenny's..seems most of those have closed. We never wanted more subways but we keep receiving them lol. I hate how a lot of the locations don't take coupons on paper or codes in the app. If franchises can just opt out then stop sending the coupons in the mail. That's the only way I'm eating those basic sandwiches.
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