Subway to open 70 new restaurants inside major UK supermarket chain

Subway is set to open up to 70 new restaurants inside Asda supermarkets as part of a major expansion across the UK.

The sandwich chain has struck a new agreement with the supermarket giant which will see dozens of additional Subway outlets open in Asda stores over the next four years.

The deal is expected to increase the number of Subway restaurants operating inside Asda supermarkets by more than 50%.

It follows a rapid expansion of the partnership over the past year, with Asda adding around 120 Subway restaurants to its retail estate.

The first of the new-look restaurants are due to begin opening from January 1, using Subway’s latest Blueprint design and operating model.

The UK expansion forms part of a much broader push by Subway across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where the company wants to double its restaurant network by 2031.

Subway is targeting a total of 10,000 restaurants across its wider EMEA region, which also includes markets such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The chain has signed six new Master Franchise agreements covering 14 countries during the past 18 months, including deals across Central Europe, Azerbaijan, the Nordic countries, Iberia and Qatar.

Subway, which operates through thousands of franchisees around the world, sells made-to-order sandwiches alongside wraps, salads, soups and protein bowls.

Tracy Gehlan, Subway’s EMEA president, said the company believed there was significant room for further growth across both established and newer markets.

She said: “We’re building on a strong foundation across EMEA, with significant opportunities to grow in both existing and new markets.

“Our ambition to double our footprint reflects our confidence in the brand, our development partners and the long-term potential across the region.

“By expanding in the right locations and improving the experience for our guests and franchisees, we can continue bringing Subway to more guests in EMEA.”