Subway to add 4000 Restaurants Across Globe

Subway, one of the world's largest restaurant brands, is continuing to strategically expand its international footprint and recently celebrated the signing of its 15th new master franchise agreement over the past two years.

The brand's latest agreements in Bahrain, Georgia, Mainland China, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama will add more than 4,000 future restaurants across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific (APAC), and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) within the next 20 years. 

Since 2021, Subway has signed 15 master franchise agreements or country development agreements across EMEA, LAC and Asia Pacific, totalling more than 9,000 future restaurant commitments.

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 have exclusive rights to manage and develop Subway locations in their respective countries and have committed to remodeling existing locations as well as opening new restaurants in the brand's current, contemporary image.

"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 agreement in Bahrain will re-establish Subway's footprint in the country — where it opened its first restaurant outside the US in 1984. Food Innovation Company, the new master franchisee, is one of the oldest, family-owned companies in Bahrain, and will help reconnect loyal Bahraini guests to the brand and introduce new ones to Subway's freshly-made, craveable food.  

In the past 18 months alone, the brand has opened over 1,000 new restaurants globally, with more than 40% driven by master franchise agreements.