Northern Ireland leads Subway expansion

Subway franchisee Andrew Johnson

US sandwich chain, Subway, is targeting over 2,000 stores in the UK and Ireland by 2010 with 40 scheduled to open in Northern Ireland.

Subway currently has over 1,400 stores in the UK and Ireland, having grown from 25 stores in 2000, and plans a further 650 stores by 2010.

It operates 87 stores in Northern Ireland, owned by 40 franchisees.

And, despite the current economic climate, the company is showing no signs of a slowdown.

Subway invested £2m in Northern Ireland in 2008 with the opening of 17 new outlets across the province and will open its 100th outlet there this year.

Andrew Johnson, a leading franchisee with 13 Subway stores in Northern Ireland, said the landmark opening illustrates the chain’s commitment to the local economy.

“Subway franchisees have brought significant investment and job creation to Northern Ireland since the first outlet opened in the province 10 years ago,” he said.

“Despite the economic downturn, we are moving forward with plans in 2009 and 2010 to continue this investment programme, and look forward to the opening of new outlets and the creation of new jobs.”

The additional 40 stores in Northern Ireland will create around 400 new jobs.

“The great thing about the Subway franchise system is that the franchisees are all local people investing in their local markets,” said Johnson.

He credited the success of the Subway chain to quality, great tasting fresh food and good value.

“Value has never been more important,” he said.

According to the 2008 British Sandwich Industry Report, Subway is the leading sandwich provider in the UK with nearly double the sales of its nearest competitor.

The company’s offer includes a Low Fat range and Subway has recently improved its in-store nutritional information to help customers to make informed choices