1851

U.S. soccer star and <a href="https://www.subway.com/en-US/OwnAFranchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Subway</a> spokesperson Megan Rapinoe took a knee before soccer matches in the Olympics to raise awareness toward racial injustice. While some Subway franchises support her activism, others are reportedly unhappy to be associated with what they claim is inappropriate political posturing.At the end of the Olympics, the New York Post published an article covering <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/08/06/subway-franchisees-are-fed-up-with-megan-rapinoes-tv-ads/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Subway’s internal advertising dispute</a>. A lawyer representing Subway said several franchises have been reaching out to the brand’s corporate office in hopes of pulling ads featuring Rapinoe.<a href="https://nypost.com/author/josh-kosman/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Josh Kosman</a> of The Post writes, “Subway doesn’t own any of its nearly 22,000 locations, but it charges franchisees <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/08/06/subway-franchisees-are-fed-up-with-megan-rapinoes-tv-ads/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">4.5 percent of their revenue for a national advertising fund</a> and controls how the money is spent.” Some regions of the U.S. are less accepting of Rapinoe’s action than others, and franchisees argue that if a community is opposed to her form of protest, the local Subway is subject to spending their revenue on something that may hurt their long-term operation.The case provides another example of a franchise brand weighing corporate power against independent franchise liberties. Corporate advertising can immediately shape the values of an entire franchise chain, which can keep individual units from establishing their own identity, for better or worse.If a franchise owner’s personal political beliefs do not align with the actions of their franchisor, they may be forced to tamp down or reconsider their stance to succeed as a franchisee. This might dissuade some prospective Subway owners from opening their own shop and could cause turmoil if employees are told to silence their own views.An Arizona franchisee <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/08/06/subway-franchisees-are-fed-up-with-megan-rapinoes-tv-ads/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">wrote on a blog</a> for the North American Association of Subway Franchises, “Spending our money to make a political statement is completely and totally out of bounds.”&nbsp;Rapinoe was not the only soccer player to kneel in protest at the Olympics. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/07/22/fact-check-photo-misleads-us-womens-soccer-olympic-protest/8059982002/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Today wrote</a>, “The U.S. women’s national team’s 11 starters kneeled along with players from Sweden and a referee before their July 21 opening match in a pre-planned demonstration against racism and discrimination.” As reported by the Associated Press, members of the British and Chilean women's soccer teams <a href="https://www.today.com/news/megan-rapinoe-alex-morgan-soccer-players-take-knee-protest-tokyo-t226302?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing-2716390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">also knelt on the pitch during the Olympics</a>. “On the initial day of action at the Tokyo Games, the soccer players were the first athletes to use the Olympic platform for a display of activism,” the article said.

Subway Franchisees Are Split on Megan Rapinoe Marketing

1851 Franchise

The soccer star and Subway spokesperson sparked a divide between franchise owners following her political activism at the Olympics.

subway-franchisees-are-split-on-megan-rapinoe-marketing

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Marks Major Milestones in Q3: 21,000 Pros, New Tech Innovations and a National Philanthropic Partnership

sola-salons-marks-major-milestones-in-q3-21000-pros-new-tech-innovations-and-a-national-philanthropic-partnership

Sparkle Squad Window Cleaning Services

Sparkle Squad Franchise - Happinest - Troy Oliphant - 1851 Franchise

How This Sparkle Squad Franchise Owner Builds Community Connections and Steady Revenue

sparkle-squadd-franchise-kansas-city-troy-oliphant

Woodhouse Spas

Woodhouse Spas Franchise Support - 1851 Franchise

How Woodhouse Spas Franchising Works: A Deep Dive Into Support and Success

woodhouse-spas-franchise-support

Express Employment Professionals

How This Veteran Helps Others Find Work Through Express Employment Professionals

how-this-veteran-helps-others-find-work-through-express-employment-professionals

SweatHouz

SweatHouz Franchise - SWTHZ - Brenna and Kevin Dorsey - North Bethesda, Maryland - 1851 Franchise

A Family Bet on Wellness: The Dorsey Duo’s Journey With SweatHouz in North Bethesda, Maryland

sweathouz-franchise-north-bethesda-dorsey

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

FAT Brands Nears Bankruptcy as Creditors Demand Repayment of $1.3 Billion Debt

fat-brands-nears-bankruptcy-as-creditors-demand-repayment-of-13-billion-debt

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

Keith Sizemore headshot, Radiance Holdings

Radiance Holdings Names Keith Sizemore Chief Development Officer

keith-sizemore-radiance-holdings-cdo

Jobseekers Are Flocking to “Unglamorous” Jobs — And Home Service Franchises Could Benefit

Jobseekers Are Flocking to “Unglamorous” Jobs — And Home Service Franchises Could Be Poised To Benefit

jobseekers-shift-boosts-home-service-franchises

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Newk's Eatery Franchise - Columbus, Mississippi Expansion - 1851 Franchise

Newk’s Eatery Taps Seasoned Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Multi-Unit Operators for New Columbus, Mississippi Expansion

newks-franchise-columbus-ms-patel

image of michael brown and matt kelton from children's lighthouse family owned brand private equity

Learn Why Children’s Lighthouse Is Different as a Family-Owned Brand vs. a Private Equity Brand in Upcoming Webinar

family-owned-vs-private-equity-childrens-lighthouse

The Grout Medic, tile and grout services franchise logo

Grout Medic Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

grout-medic-franchise-deep-dive

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Subway Franchisees Are Split on Megan Rapinoe Marketing

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS