The last few years have been kind of rocky for the international restaurant/deli chain Subway. Jerry Fogel, who had been a spokesman for the chain for a while, was found guilty of charges related to lewd imagery and child exploitation. He has been in prison since and has caused a cauldron of trouble with his tries to get out of prison. The arrest and conviction of their spokesman have not wholly stopped people from going to this chain’s branches. When you go to Subway, you get healthier food than Burger King and McDonald’s. When you order a sandwich, you can choose what you want. You choose what bread you want as well as what the fillings are going to be. Despite its healthier options and relative popularity, the chain did have to close hundreds of branches. They had to close about 900 in 2018 and they had to close additional shops (about 500).
Suzanne Greco, the CEO of Subway, has been working at this chain since her youth. The franchises have not been happy with her being the CEO. They feel that she has not given them adequate support and has not been able to foster growth for the company. The publication Business Insider did a survey of the 25,800 Subway branches in America and found that one-third of them are not profitable. According to Business Insider, a franchise talked to them and said that many people in the industry feel that Graco should not be the CEO of the company. She has been telling the franchises that she is doing them a favor. The problem is that the franchises are losing quite dramatically. Instead of trying to find a solution to the franchise, she has retired.
Trevor Haynes, the chief business development officer, is going to be the interim CEO.
With Trevor Haynes stepping in as interim CEO, many Subway franchise owners are hopeful for a shift in the company’s direction. Haynes, who has a strong background in business development, has indicated that he is aware of the challenges facing Subway and is committed to making improvements. His leadership brings a fresh perspective that franchise owners believe could help turn things around, especially after the turbulence under Suzanne Greco.
Haynes has already hinted at possible changes aimed at revitalizing the brand. There are talks about refreshing Subway’s menu to include new, innovative options that appeal to today’s health-conscious consumers. Additionally, there are plans to enhance the customer experience by updating store interiors and making digital ordering more accessible. Haynes believes that by modernizing Subway’s image and offerings, they can attract a broader audience and regain momentum in a competitive market.
Franchisees are cautiously optimistic. Many feel that the brand’s focus on customization and healthier choices gives Subway an edge, but they recognize that these strengths need to be highlighted in a more appealing way to draw in customers. They’re hoping that Haynes’s leadership will bring the support they need, especially in marketing and brand consistency, areas where they felt neglected during Greco’s tenure.
Subway has a long way to go in terms of regaining its former popularity, but with Haynes’s interim leadership, both franchisees and customers are eager to see if the brand can make a successful comeback. If his initiatives prove effective, there is a possibility that he may be considered for the permanent CEO role, signaling a new chapter for Subway’s recovery and growth.
