Subs — additionally known as grinders, hoagies, heroes, wedges, and a wide range of different regional names — are type of the second official American sandwich, behind the hamburger.
They’re versatile, as a sub generally is a chilly sandwich laden with chilly cuts, greens, mayo, and numerous spreads, or a sizzling sandwich, equivalent to a meatball hoagie, hen parmigiana grinder, or my favourite, a steak and cheese sub.
Many would argue that the Philadelphia cheesesteak is the usual setter.
“There are numerous sandwich outlets on the market that tout the freshness of their elements. However few can match an area favourite Philly cheesesteak store by way of sheer quantity. Which means even very fashionable sandwich outlets in different components of the nation are solely getting contemporary product delivered a couple of times every week, which is a lot for pushing out a couple of hundred sandwiches per day,” Mashed reported.
Singer Patti Labelle informed Drew Barrymore on her discuss present that method, not location makes the perfect cheesesteak.
“In line with Patti, placing cheese on the backside of your hoagie bun and topping it with cooked steak offers sufficient warmth for the cheese to correctly soften. The top result’s equivalent to what you’d get from a extra conventional methodology for Philly cheesesteak, the place you cowl the steak with cheese and cook dinner till melted,” the Philly native and restaurant proprietor shared.
These of us from Boston, nonetheless, discover the Philly argument foolish. A Boston-style steak and cheese, which makes use of provolone or American cheese, is superior, very similar to the Patriots are higher than the Eagles, the Pink Sox are higher than the Phillies, and the Bruins clearly have an edge over the Flyers.
Regional arguments apart, Subway has been the clear nationwide sub chain chief, with over 19,500 places within the U.S. alone on the finish of 2024.
One other chain, Quiznos, was as soon as on the rise and trying to catch up, however its fall was spectacular.
Subway: By far the most important chain; QSR 50 stories over 20,133 U.S. items (knowledge was from earlier than the chain purged underperforming items).
Jersey Mike’s Subs: 2,684 complete items, in line with QSR 2024.
Jimmy John’s: 2,644 items, per QSR 2024.
Firehouse Subs: 1,209 items, in line with QSR 2024.
McAlister’s Deli: Listed in QSR’s high chains, with 539 items in its 2024 breakdown. Supply for all above: QSR Journal Prime 50
Charley’s Philly Steaks & Wings: Continuously seems in high sandwich-chain lists. Supply: Entrepreneur
Potbelly Sandwich Works: Not all the time high by gross sales, however generally listed amongst high sandwich franchises. Supply: Tony Boys NJ
Not all chains share their retailer counts publicly.
Subway has been the clear market chief by retailer depend. Shutterstock
Quiznos, which has shrunk to beneath 200 places, was as soon as a rising competitor that climbed to almost 5,000 U.S. places. The chain constructed its enterprise round toasting its subs on a type of conveyor-belt toaster.
“The little sub store that started in 1981 in Denver, CO nonetheless has the identical daring concepts that we had at first. We boldly imagine that your meals ought to style nice and that we should always use solely the best high quality elements to create your excellent lunch,” it posted.
The chain’s rise was quick, however its fall was even sooner.
“By 2006, there have been 5,000 shops providing tacky, sizzling, oven-toasted sandwiches, making it the second-largest sandwich store within the U.S.,” Cheapism reported. “However since then, Quiznos has been on a downward spiral, closing a whopping 4,700 U.S. places over a decade. By 2017, the sandwich chain was right down to a mere 400 places — a 90% loss.”
The web site stated the rationale for the downfall was clear, blaming its pricing technique.
“Individuals wished low cost, not essentially toasted, sandwiches, and Subway supplied simply that,” it added.
Way back to 2011, franchise operators had considerations concerning the enterprise mannequin.
“My hope is that administration will shift to a mannequin extra worthwhile to particular person shops,” stated Kevin Tackett, Quiznos largest conventional franchise operator and president of a newly shaped Quiznos franchisee affiliation informed Nation’s Restaurant Information.
The chain prevented a chapter submitting in 2012 by promoting itself, however that didn’t repair its issues, in line with one trade skilled.
“John Gordon, a guide with Pacific Administration Consulting Group in San Diego, stated the chain had a basic downside with store-level economics, estimating that as many as 2,500 franchise places have closed since 2006,” Nation’s Restaurant Information reported.
Gordon, nonetheless, was incorrect in his assertion that the chain’s 2012 money infusion would assist it flip issues round.
“This can be a good shot,” Gordon stated. “Nevertheless it’s critically essential they work to enhance the enterprise mannequin.”
At its peak (round 2006-2007), Quiznos had 4,700-5,000 U.S. places. Supply: Cheapism
By 2017, the variety of U.S. Quiznos shops had dropped to round 400. Supply: Foodie
As of early 2025, stories nonetheless put U.S. Quiznos places at fewer than 150, that means over 4,500+ shops have closed since their peak. Supply: Flavor365
Authorized analysts on the American Bar affiliation have been essential of Quiznos in a 2025 article.
“Quiznos’s mismanagement of its franchisee relationships and systemic neglect led to lawsuits, closures, and a collapse that serves as a cautionary story for the franchising trade,” it shared.
2007: Peak of 4,700-5,000 U.S. places.
2008–2009: Roughly 1,000 shops closed on this span.
2010: Round 1,500 shops closed. Supply: Day by day Meal
2014: Quiznos filed for Chapter 11 chapter, at which level that they had dropped to 2,100 places. Supply: Flavor365
2017: The U.S. retailer depend fell to 400. Supply: Foodie
2020: Reviews say there have been about 255 U.S. places, down considerably from prior years. Supply: Restaurant Enterprise On-line
2024-2025: As of early 2025, fewer than 150 Quiznos places remained within the U.S. Supply: Flavor365
