NEW YORK POST – Subway has called a hasty meeting with franchisees of its 19,000 North American sandwich shops as they grapple with faltering sales and profits, The Post has learned.
The fast food giant — which sold itself in April for $9 billion to Roark Capital, owner of Dunkin, Arby’s and Baskin Robbins — told franchisees it will reveal plans to improve traffic and win back market share at the Thursday meeting.
“This conference is essential,” Subway said in the invite. “Join us … to discuss the state of the industry and an update on our business.”
Subway CEO John Chidsey would like falling same store sales numbers to at least start leveling off.
The confab — which one franchisee called an “emergency” meeting, noting that the invite was only mailed out last week — will include a recap of promotional offers that are currently being tested in restaurants.
“There is no emergency virtual conference,” a Subway spokesperson said, disputing the “emergency” characterization of the Thursday meeting.
“We consistently and proactively communicate with our franchisees to share business updates and plans.”
Discounting has become a contentious topic of late.
A Subway franchisee with nearly 20 stores told The Post his same-store sales are down 5% to 10% in recent weeks compared to the prior year.
He blames the chain’s recent price promotions as customer traffic has dropped.
“They are doing crazy coupons,” the franchisee griped.
“Our gross sales are not even at 2012 levels, and profit then was five times what it is today.”
The franchisee added that his stores barely break even with the discounts. In a recent national ad campaign, NBA great Charles Barkley has been urging customers to “Buy any foot-long in the app and get one free.”
“Charging $6.99 for any sub while they are $11 on the menu,” the franchisee lamented.
“Offering three sandwiches for $17.99.” … READ MORE.
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“By 1am I had severe diarrhea followed by vomiting, repeating both the rest of the night … “
Subway, 2619 South East Avenue, Fresno, CA, USA
1 day ago: Ordered footlong Turkey on herb and cheese with American cheese, Mayo, mustard, lettuce, onion, pickle, wax pepper. | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting
Subway, Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA, USA
1 day ago: Subway | Symptoms: Stomach Pain, Fever, Cramps, Chills
Subway, South Federal Way, Boise, ID, USA
2 days ago: Bought a tuna sandwich with avocado for lunch at about 11:40am. By 2pm I had bad stomach cramps and began vomiting. | Symptoms: Vomiting, Stomach Pain, Cramps
Subway, Conyers, GA, USA
4 days ago: Ordered and eat turkey sub… it did taste weird I eat half a 6”.. after about a hour I got a headache stomach pain nausea and diarrhea. | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Stomach Pain, Headache
“Over the past month I’ve been sick from a subway 3 times at 2 different location, maybe 5-10 miles apart.”
Subway, 430 Mohawk Street, Herkimer, NY, USA
6 days ago: I ordered a foot long rotisserie with cheese, pickles, black olives, lettuce and tomatoes around 2 in the afternoon, ate it by 2:30. I did not eat much the rest of the day. I started feeling queasy between 9-10pm ish, by 1am I had severe diarrhea followed by vomiting, repeating both the rest of the night. It’s 7:19am the following morning. I’m still suffering from nausea and diarrhea. The problem is, I stopped going to my local subway in Herkimer, NY for the same reason. Over the past month I’ve been sick from a subway 3 times at 2 different location, maybe 5-10 miles apart.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Stomach Pain, Cramps, Chills
Suspected source: Subway | Onset: 4 to 12 hours | Duration: 4 to 12 hours
I’m much better now. I usually call and let them know, but I won’t go to another subway. It just happened too often and worse each time. | Symptoms: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Stomach Pain, Chills, Cramps
Subway, Business Parkway, Elkridge, MD, USA
1 week ago: Suspected food poisoning. Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Stomach Pain, Cramps
Suspected source: Subway
Onset: Less than 4 hours
Duration: 12 to 24 hours
Sick: 2 people | Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Stomach Pain, Cramps
