(September 2009) posted on Tue Sep 22, 2009 EDT Sandwich chain on pace to wrest top spot from McDonald’s
Subway is on the fast track to take the fast-food industry's number one ranking from McDonald's in the coming months. Advertising Age estimates the sandwich chain will exceed 31,800 units by the end of this week, closing in quickly on McDonald's 32,158 restaurant portfolio.
Industry sources quoted the article credit not only the appeal and convenience of custom-made, fresh food items but also the attractiveness of relatively low start-up costs and an all-sandwich menu that has a shorter learning curve for franchisees new to the restaurant industry.
Bigger it may become, but Subway has a long way to go to serve up sales like McDonald's does. The report quotes the consulting firm, Technomic, as estimating the average McDonald's unit posted $2.3 million in sales in 2008 compared with about $445,000 for the average Subway unit. Subway hopes menu build-outs like breakfast, now in testing, will help close the gap.
