1851

Subway, the world’s largest fast-food chain with over <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-fast-food-chain-locations-franchise-rise-fall-2019-8?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477#:~:text=Subway%20has%20the%20most%20locations,has%20negatively%20impacted%20franchise%20owners." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">42,000 restaurants globally</a>, has been in the spotlight for the past year as rumors continue to swirl about an impending sale. Layoffs, decreasing sales and leadership changes have many local franchise owners worried about the future of the company.<a href="https://www.technomic.com/reports/industry-reports/top-500?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">According to Technomic</a>, the Milford, Connecticut-based sandwich restaurant dropped nearly $2 billion in U.S. sales last year and closed 1,796 stores nationwide. But the downhill trajectory extends beyond 2020. Since 2015, <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/subway-continued-closing-locations-last-year?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477#:~:text=Subway%20entered%202020%20with%2023%2C801,industry%20sales%20have%20been%20weakest." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Subway has shrunk over 12%</a>, closing 3,000 locally owned and operated units.These results combined with several recent decisions made by Subway’s CEO, John Chidsey, have increased speculation about a sale. "He's following the exact playbook that he followed for Burger King," a veteran California Subway operator, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-sale-rumors-ceo-john-chidsey-2021-4?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">told Business Insider</a>. Chidsey's last job before Subway was CEO of Miami-based Burger King, where he slashed costs and ultimately sold the brand to 3G Capital in 2010.Subway is heavily investing in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-sale-rumors-ceo-john-chidsey-2021-4?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">new office space in Miami</a>, having reduced its Connecticut headquarters staff by 40%, and making significant changes to its franchise structure that could make the company a more attractive acquisition target. This includes removing several hundred development agents who act as middlemen between the company and its franchisees, bringing more stores under direct management as ‘company territories’.Despite plummeting sales and closing stores, Subway franchisees are saying that Chidsey is not stepping up to the plate. According to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-sale-rumors-ceo-john-chidsey-2021-4?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Business Insider</a>, a number of franchisees said that Chidsey's only form of communication is a video message sent to operators every few months with no ability to provide feedback.&nbsp;"There is no channel right now that the franchisees really have to send back to corporate and for corporate to listen," a Subway franchisee in the Midwest told Business Insider. "There's been basically zero two-way communication."Although no official details have been released about a Subway sale, persistent rumors paint Restaurant Brands International (parent company of Burger King) as exploring a deal.&nbsp;Subway franchise owners that spoke to Business Insider had mixed reactions to a potential sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;"When we hear about Restaurant Brands International (RBI) we get excited. RBI you know, they resurrected Popeyes ... their brands are doing pretty well. But whatever they're doing, they're doing it right. I think most people are excited about future change," a California franchisee told the publication.&nbsp;A Midwestern operator, however, said, “I don't think we'd be better off with RBI. But something's got to change."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-sale-rumors-ceo-john-chidsey-2021-4?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read the full report here</a>.

Subway Rumored To Be For Sale: What Franchisees Are Saying

1851 Franchise

How local operators are reacting to the idea of the nation’s largest fast-food chain being put up for sale.

subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying

World Gym

World Gym’s Healdsburg Location Named as North America’s “World Gym of the Year”

world-gyms-healdsburg-location-named-as-north-americas-world-gym-of-the-year

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets South Bend, Indiana, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-south-bend-indiana-for-franchise-growth

Footprints Floors

Why Franchising with Footprints Floors Is Recession-Resistant

why-franchising-with-footprints-floors-is-recession-resistant

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream Embarks on Franchising Journey; Sells 7 Units in First Month

brookers-founding-flavors-ice-cream-embarks-on-franchising-journey-sells-7-units-in-first-month

Voodoo Brewing Co.

Voodoo Brewing Co. Pours Magic into a New Market, Opens in Delafield, Wisconsin

voodoo-brewing-co-pours-magic-into-a-new-market-opens-in-delafield-wisconsin

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 Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

1851 Agg - Empower Brands 6 Franchises Named to FBR's 2025 Top Franchises List - 1851 Franchise

Empower Brands Celebrates Six Franchises Named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top Franchises List

empower-brands-celebrates-six-franchises-named-to-franchise-business-reviews-2025-top-franchises-list

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Yum Brands - KFC - Pizza Hut - Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey - 1851 Franchise

Yum! Brands Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey Due to Non-Compliance

yum-brands-terminates-franchise-agreements-in-turkey-due-to-non-compliance

Recent Franchise News - Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers - 1851 Franchise

Forbes: Four Reasons Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers

forbes-four-reasons-why-franchisors-churn-through-marketing-suppliers

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

Trua Senior Living Locators CEO Discusses Franchising Success and a Clinical Approach to Senior Placement

trua-senior-living-locators-ceo-discusses-franchising-success-and-a-clinical-approach-to-senior-placement

Happy Joe’s President and CEO Discusses Turnaround and Vision for Legacy Growth

happy-joes-president-and-ceo-discusses-turnaround-and-vision-for-legacy-growth

Lucas Hamm Brings Compassionate Care to Eagan, Minnesota with Right at Home Franchise

lucas-hamm-brings-compassionate-care-to-eagan-minnesota-with-right-at-home-franchise

How a Hotel Valuation Expert Accidentally Found Success with the Sola Salons Franchise

how-a-hotel-valuation-expert-accidentally-found-success-with-the-sola-salons-franchise

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Right at Home Comes to Long Beach, Driven by Franchisee’s Personal Experience in Caregiving

right-at-home-comes-to-long-beach-driven-by-franchisees-personal-experience-in-caregiving

Reverse Mortgage Brokers Find New Way to Serve Seniors with TruBlue Franchise in Upland Rancho, California

reverse-mortgage-brokers-find-new-way-to-serve-seniors-with-trublue-franchise-in-upland-rancho-california

Subway Rumored To Be For Sale: What Franchisees Are Saying

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS