Subway is saying so long to the $5 footlong. The sandwich restaurant made the announcement on Monday, September, 10, after listening to franchise owners who complained they made little money on the popular menu item. Starting this month, each franchise will now be able to decide whether or not to sell the famous sub.
“How do we help our franchises with more of a regional value message, so they’re able to (have) a value proposition that fits with their economic model,” Subway CEO Trevor Haynes told USA Today. “If you look at California, there’s a very different cost of business than in Arkansas.”
The chain brought back the $5 footlong last winter after a years-long absence, but the sandwich ultimately proved too expensive to keep on the menu. However, in place of the $5 footlong, Subway now says it will sell other “value items,” such as the $3.99 6-inch sub now available to customers in San Francisco. “Affordable food is what we’ve always stood for,” Haynes said. “It’s not just about one price point.”
Even though many Subway locations around the country may elect to no longer sell the $5 footlong, fans of the sandwich chain can look forward to more exotic tastes, such as something called Firebird chicken, a spicier rotisserie-type poultry, and guajillo steak. Regional flavors, like a California Club, are also currently being tested in certain markets.
What’s more? Subway has also begun experimenting with paninis in California, indicating the chain favors swapping some of its larger sandwiches for the compact Italian offering. The paninis come several months after Subway launched a line of wraps, which Haynes called “extremely successful for our brand.”
Still, for many Subway lovers, a panini or spicier regional sandwich is no substitute for the $5 foot long. Check out some less than enthusiastic Twitter reactions to the news below:
WHAT! SUBWAY IS GETTING RID OF THE $5 FOOTLONG?!
— Siera Santos (@SieraSantos) September 11, 2018
No more $5 footlong at @SUBWAY? We need a country wide boycott for a couple days to bring this back! Our country is trying to stay fit! #eatfresh
— Kent McBride (@CoachMcBride2) September 11, 2018
I hope Subway saying goodbye to the $5 footlong will encourage people to say goodbye to Subway.
— Your Colon (@fromyourcolon) September 11, 2018
@SUBWAY DONT REMOVE THE FOOTLONG
— Astrac (@AstracVisuals) September 12, 2018
Subway no longer doing the $5 footlong is an example of why I try to just make stuff at home.
What money was you losing making a cold cut sandwich for $5? Capitalism I swear. I’m $7 for a sandwich with no drink. 😂
— Mo City Kitty (@Stephen_Dewayne) September 12, 2018
subway taking away the $5 footlong but my sub ain’t never been cheaper than $8-$10 so I know it’s bouta be a good ole $15 🤦🏽♀️
— kellz 🏳️🌈 (@kellyyd_) September 12, 2018
Noooooooooooooooooo! @SUBWAY, can you hear me? I said, nooooo! #abc13 #subway #footlong https://t.co/vkDl0zBKHw
— Samica Knight (@SamicaKnight13) September 12, 2018
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