Subway said its Footlong Cookie has sold particularly well. | Photo by Jonathan Maze.
Footlong snacks apparently resonate with consumers.
That, at least, is based on sales of Subway’s new “Sidekicks,” which include a Cinnabon Footlong Churro and an Auntie Anne’s Footlong Pretzel along with its own Footlong Cookie. The Miami-based Subway said on Thursday that it has sold more than 3.5 million Sidekicks in the two weeks since its launch and that it is “rushing additional supply to meet guest” demand.
The footlong cookie in particular has been popular with customers, Subway said.
The company introduced its Sidekicks in mid-January, hoping that the footlong version of a churro, pretzel and its cookie would generate add-on sales to its existing sandwiches and convince customers to visit in the afternoon for a snack. It has been working on the snacks for well over a year.
It’s part of a broad set of menu changes and improvements designed to build sales for the chain, which operates 37,000 locations globally and about 20,000 in the U.S.
Subway said on Thursday that its same-store sales increased 5.9% in North America last year. It also said that its top 75% of restaurants in North America, about 17,000 locations, generated 10.1% same-store sales growth, though that implies that about 5,700 restaurants saw steep declines in the key sales metric last year.
The company did say that its global same-store sales have increased for 12 straight quarters. Subway also said that it finished with positive unit growth globally last year for the first time since 2016. The company did not provide exact figures, but that growth likely came from international restaurants that have returned to unit expansion over the past two years thanks to a series of development agreements.
“Sidekicks are a big hit with guests and the latest proof that Subway is a remarkably different brand than it was when we began our transformation journey three years ago,” CEO John Chidsey said in a statement.
Both Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s are part of Focus Brands, the Atlanta-based operator owned by Roark Capital, the private equity group trying to buy Subway. But the company has said it began working with those brands before it put itself up for sale early last year and said the snack line and the acquisition are not connected.
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Restaurant Business Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze is a longtime industry journalist who writes about restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions and the economy, with a particular focus on quick-service restaurants.
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FAQs
The Subway “Sidekicks” include footlong versions of their signature chocolate chip cookies, along with footlong pretzels and churros, in which they partnered with Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon to create.
How much are the footlong sidekicks? ›
Subway has added a new item to its menu, and yes, it is about a foot long. The company announced Tuesday the debut of Footlong Dippers, which the company describes as "cheesy and craveable footlong snacks" that will join the restaurant's Sidekicks menu and be available for $3.
What are the new footlong items at Subway? ›
The restaurant franchise announced on Tuesday, June 18, that they're adding new Footlong “Dippers” to their popular Sidekicks menu. For only $3, diners can enjoy the brand-new menu item, which will be available in three varieties: Pepperoni & Cheese, Chicken & Cheese and Double Cheese.
What's new at Subway 2024? ›
Press Releases. MIAMI, June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Subway® is fueling America's love for all things Footlong with the debut of all-new Footlong Dippers, available at restaurants nationwide. These hot, cheesy and craveable footlong snacks join the wildly popular Sidekicks menu at the irresistible price of $3*.
What are the 12 new Subway subs? ›
Subway Launches 12 New Sandwiches
- Cheesesteaks: No. 1 The Philly, No. 2 The Outlaw, No. 3 The Monster.
- Italianos: No. 4 Supreme Meats, No. 5 Bella Mozza, No. 6 The Boss.
- Chicken: No. 7 The MexiCali, No. 8 The Great Garlic, No. 9 The Champ.
- Clubs: No. 10 All-American Club, No. 11 Subway Club, No. 12 Turkey Cali Club.
$5 footlongs
In 2008, Subway began to offer all its regular one-foot-long (30 cm) submarine sandwiches (excluding the premium and double-meat varieties) for five dollars (equivalent to $7.08 in 2023), in the continental United States and Canada, as a "limited time only" promotion.
How long ago was the $5 footlong? ›
In March 2008, Subway began offering the Five Dollar Footlongs as a short-term promotion to end in May, but since it was so successful, Subway made it a permanent staple of its value menu in one form or another. The advertising campaign for Subway's Five Dollar Footlongs wasn't luck, but sheer campy genius.
Who owns the Subway? ›
Is Subway Israeli owned? ›
Subway Israel (Hebrew: סאבוויי) was a fast food sandwich chain, an international franchise of the U.S.-based Subway.
What did Subway change recently? ›
MIAMI (July 5, 2023) -- Subway announces the arrival of freshly sliced meats in U.S. restaurants – its latest and biggest change since the brand began its efforts to improve every aspect of the guest experience, headlined by a better menu, which began in 2021.
Subway's culinary team spent a year perfecting the recipe for its Footlong Cookie – thick, gooey and packed with chocolate chips. Subway also joined forces with Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's to create a craveworthy new twist on their classic snacks with the Footlong Churro and the Footlong Pretzel. Download: MP4.
Why did Subway get rid of wraps? ›
“Wraps have become an afterthought on restaurant menus with uninspiring choices and snack-size portions that leave you wanting more,” said Paul Fabre, Senior Vice President of Culinary and Innovation. “That insight kickstarted the process of revamping Subway's wraps.
What bread does Subway use for wraps? ›
Subway's new wraps are served on lavash-style flatbread—its first new bread option in three years.
What is on a footlong Subway Club? ›
Subway Club™ is another delectable sandwich. A taste-tempting combination of our famous lean and tender, sliced turkey breast, sliced roast beef; and savory, sliced chicken ham with your choice of fresh vegetables and condiments and served on freshly baked bread.
What are the side items for Subway? ›
Sides, Drinks & Extras
- Chips.
- Cookies.
- Fountain Drinks.
- Coffee.
- Bottled Drinks.
- Bacon.
- Cheese.
- Pepperoni.
The sandwich chain revealed a new set of “Sidekicks,” which are three footlong snacks available at Subway restaurants nationwide as of Monday, Jan. 22. The trio consists of the new Cinnabon Footlong Churro, which is a $2 churro served warm and topped with Cinnabon's world-famous Makara cinnamon and sugar.
