Subway, a prominent player in the restaurant industry, is actively pursuing its international expansion strategy. The brand recently achieved a significant milestone by signing its 15th new master franchise agreement in the past two years, reaffirming its commitment to global growth.
Through its most recent agreements in Bahrain, Georgia, Mainland China, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Panama, Subway is poised to introduce over 4,000 upcoming restaurants across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific (APAC), and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) within the next two decades. These strategic partnerships highlight the brand’s ambitious plans for expansion in diverse regions around the globe.
Since 2021, Subway has forged 15 master franchise agreements or country development agreements spanning EMEA, LAC, and Asia Pacific regions. These agreements amount to an impressive commitment of over 9,000 future restaurant establishments.
The master franchise agreements are a continuation of Subway’s international strategy to partner with experienced, well-resourced operators with specific market expertise as it strengthens its global presence.
The master franchisees will hold exclusive rights to oversee and expand Subway establishments within their designated countries. They have made a dedicated commitment to renovating existing locations and opening new restaurants, aligning them with the brand’s modern image and design.
“There is significant opportunity for Subway to expand its presence around the world and the new master franchise agreements are a reflection of the confidence that operators have in Subway and our transformation journey,” said John Chidsey, CEO of Subway by adding that they are ready to grow the brand with new and existing international multi-unit and multi-brand operators to serve more guests around the world.
The Bahrain agreement will mark Subway’s renewed presence in the country, where it initially expanded beyond the United States by opening its inaugural restaurant in 1984. Food Innovation Company, the newly appointed master franchisee, is a longstanding family-owned business in Bahrain. Their partnership will not only reconnect Subway with its devoted Bahraini customers but also introduce new patrons to the brand’s delectable, freshly-prepared food offerings.
Within the last 18 months, Subway has achieved a remarkable milestone by inaugurating over 1,000 new restaurants worldwide. Notably, more than 40% of this impressive growth can be attributed to the success of master franchise agreements.
