Sandwich chain Subway is planning an ambitious UK expansion plan

 

By Hannah Cook

 

Sandwich chain Subway is planning an ambitious expansion drive in the UK and Ireland that could create up to 13,000 new jobs.

 

The food chain wants to grow from 1,731 stores to 3,000 by 2020.

 

The company which was founded in America in 1965 came to British shores in 1994 making the UK and Ireland its biggest market area outside America.

 

The food group has enjoyed recent success on the back of launching a new breakfast range and extending its opening hours in the evening and promoting its health credentials.

 

Subway has been opening roughly 150 stores a year in the UK and Ireland, but will ramp this up to 170 in 2014 as confidence grows in the health of the UK economy.

 

Mike Charest, Assistant Regional Director for Europe, said: “The UK and Irish markets have been fantastic success stories for the Subway brand and we see opportunities for further growth as more and more consumers demand great tasting food at a value price-point.

 

“The introduction of a varied breakfast menu and longer opening hours have been instrumental in increasing store footfall.”

 

Subway operates a franchise model similar to McDonald’s. The company claims research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows it contributes £875m to the UK economy.

 

 

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