Subway to create 6,000 new jobs as it plans rapid UK expansion

26th January 2012, 2:47pm

Subway has unveiled new plans to increase the number of UK and Ireland sites to 2,000 over the next three years, creating 6,000 jobs.

There are currently 1,423 Subway stores in the UK, almost a fivefold increase on the 2004 store count, and 99 stores in Ireland.

Today's news comes in the same week that McDonald's announced the creation of 2,000 new jobs as it posted record UK sales.

President and co-founder, Fred DeLuca, said that growth has been fuelled by consumer demand for convenient, affordable food and fresh choices made to order.

DeLuca said: "We are particularly proud of the fact that over the years the Subway brand has been able to provide entrepreneurs with business opportunities where they can open and operate their own small business and provide great food, exceptional customer service and job opportunities in their communities."

Trevor Haynes, area development manager for the UK and Ireland, said: "The UK and Irish markets have been fantastic success stories for the Subway brand and we see ample opportunities for further growth as more and more consumers demand fresh, healthy food on the go. In addition to our traditional store development we see huge potential in non-traditional settings such as stations, convenience stores, hospitals, airports and petrol stations."

Subway has also announced that it has signed up to the government's Responsibility Deal, which will we see calorie information displayed in all Subway restaurants.

New menu boards featuring calorie values are now in all stores, together with large posters providing detailed nutritional information across the range.

Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley welcomed Subway's pledge: "One in six meals are now eaten outside the home and for those meals we often have no idea how many calories we are eating.

"That's why it's great to see that Subway have signed up to this commitment as part of the Responsibility Deal, which will help customers know the calories in their favourite foods and think about the choices they're making.

"With Subway on board there are now over 9,500 big name food outlets on the High Street set to provide calorie labelling this year, which together sell over one third of all meals and takeaways. This is a great achievement by the Responsibility Deal."

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.