whichfranchise is the official strategic partner of the British Franchise Association (bfa) . We work closely with the bfa and those franchise opportunities who are bfa members. whichfranchise only promotes ethical franchise opportunities in the UK.
The Subway® brand is the largest specialist sandwich franchise in the UK and Ireland.
This franchise offers an outlet-based retail franchise business opportunity with widespread appeal. Our franchisees hire, train and manage employees and oversee the day-to-day running of their outlet. With Subway you are in business for yourself, not by yourself.
Subway® is a Full member of the British Franchise Association.
How much does a Subway franchise cost?
A Subway franchise will cost c.£100,000*
*Banks can lend 50-70% of the cost depending upon your financial history.
Exclusive Interview: "I really enjoy being my own boss and in charge of my work-life balance."
Subway is one of the largest and best-known franchise businesses, with over 2,500 stores open across the UK and Ireland and ambitious plans to grow this number. We are keen to hear from ambitious, customer focused individuals who have the drive to build their own businesses.
Name: Will Bray
Location: Bath
Franchise: Subway
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a franchise business?
I studied Agriculture and Business Studies at Newcastle University and within just months of graduating, I become the franchisee of a Subway store in Bath.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose your industry? And why did you choose your franchise?
During my school years, I was a regular visitor to my local Subway store; in fact, the Sandwich Artists began to recognise me and would start making my Sub to my exact specifications long before I had even had to ask for it!
I loved the brand and its future potential. My family is in farming, but I didn’t feel this was the right career path for me. With the business studies knowledge I had gained at university and my passion for the brand, a Subway franchise felt like the perfect career.
How did you raise the finance?
I had a little financial support from my dad and became the franchisee of an existing Subway store in Bath in August 2016.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
Like all new franchisees, I attended a two-week training course. This provided all the necessary classroom and in-store experience I needed to run my own Subway franchise. The training was really good fun. I had a great group, many of whom were from different countries in Europe and we have stayed in touch. It’s great to hear from them and learn about their experiences in their home countries. I’ve even had the chance to visit one of my fellow trainees in Amsterdam.
The support Subway provides for franchisees is ongoing and consistent. My Field Consultant is always at the end of the phone to help with anything from deliveries, to financials and advertising.
What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?
A typical day sees me spreading my time across my two Subway stores in Bath. I regularly work on the front-line, serving customers alongside my 15 members of staff. I really enjoy building up a rapport with my customers and getting to know them and the local community. It’s important my customers realise that behind the big Subway brand is a small business owner, who wants to be a valuable member of the local community.
Working alongside my staff members also means I have built up good relationships with them. I’m very hands-on and they really just see me as one of the team.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
"The best part of being a Subway franchisee is the flexibility it offers. I really enjoy being my own boss, in charge of my work-life balance and longer-term future."
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
Do your research and ask lots of questions. Speak to your local Development team, as well as other franchisees. I’m always willing to talk to someone who is considering becoming a franchisee. It’s also worth visiting other stores.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to keep growing and developing my Subway franchise business and will open new stores in the right locations, as and when they become available. Subway is growing rapidly in the UK and Ireland and I’m really keen to be a part of that growth.
Would you do it again?
Yes, definitely. Being a Subway franchisee is great fun. The franchise sector in the UK is really booming, but with my love of the brand, I think it was always going to be a Subway franchise for me. It’s been a massive learning curve, but who doesn’t want to be their own boss?
?Established in 1965 by Fred DeLuca, Subway has grown from its humble beginnings in Connecticut USA to become one of the world's leading franchise brands. Over 92 countries in the world have Subway franchises. The first Subway franchise in the UK opened in Brighton. Today there are over 1700 Subway franchises in the UK and Ireland, and the story doesn’t stop there! Subway is looking for new franchisees to join its expanding network of sandwich shops in the UK and increase its’ chain to over 2000 franchises. There are now more Subway franchises in the UK than any other food franchise including McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut.
Subway opens 80th store with Applegreen!
Subway is pleased to announce it has opened its 80th store in the UK and Ireland with leading independent petrol forecourt retailer, Applegreen.
The first Subway® store was opened in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr Peter Buck. It was the first of over 43,000 store locations in more than 110 countries. Today, in the UK and Ireland alone, there are more than 2,500 locations.
The Subway® brand is the Number One Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand worldwide by total store count, as at January 2018. The first Subway® in the UK store opened in 1996. Since then the Subway® brand has grown at an exceptional rate and continues to expand – we are actively seeking new franchisees to become part of the success story.
Subway® franchisees benefit from operating in a tried and tested system with great training and a solid support structure with aspects such as site selection, leasing, purchasing, marketing and more.
SUBWAY® COMMITMENT
The Subway® brand is committed to making a positive impact in everything it does – from providing great tasting food choices, to reducing its carbon footprint and creating a positive influence in the communities it serves around the world.
CHOOSING AND BUILDING YOUR STORE
It is the franchisee’s responsibility to find the location of the franchise; however Subway® Development Agents and Subway Realty Limited are on hand to help.
The décor of a Subway® store is in-keeping with the brand’s values, ensuring the stores are inviting and comfortable for customers. The décor integrates natural building materials, comfortable furniture and careful lighting to create a warm, inviting, family environment. As a franchisee, you will receive assistance with your store design and equipment ordering.
GREAT PRODUCTS
Subway® Sandwich Artists™ use a variety of breads freshly baked in-store daily, and an array of meats, cheeses, salads, vegetables and sauces to create tasty made-to-order Subs, flatbreads and salads.
With a focus on making quality, delicious Subs and offering customers real choice, the Subway® brand has built up a vast and loyal customer base.
GREAT TRAINING
All new Subway® franchisees are required to attend a two-week training course in Cambridge ahead of opening their own stores.
This intensive training programme provides you with an overview of operating a Subway® store and running a business, including classroom and in-store sessions. On completion of the training, franchisees are well-equipped to take the next steps in opening their own store. Similar training programmes are available for Subway® store managers as well.
HOW WE MARKET YOUR STORE
The aim of our marketing campaigns is to drive profitable sales for Subway® franchisees.
Subway® franchisees in the UK and Ireland actively participate in the running of the Franchisee Advertising Fund (FAF). National and regional advertising boards, consisting of franchisees, are elected each year; it is their role to make marketing decisions and ensure franchisee funds are used to benefit all franchisees.
Subway® franchisees pay a 4.5% advertising fee to the Franchisee Advertising Fund.
ON-GOING SUPPORT
Franchise World Headquarters prides itself on offering an excellent support network for all franchisees.
The head office for the Subway® brand in the UK and Ireland is based in Cambridge, offering a local team of support staff focused on operations, R&D, leasing, customer service, training and franchisee services.
Across the UK and Ireland we have a network of 20 regional Development Offices that are on hand to offer advice, support and guidance throughout the process of becoming a franchisee. Your local Development Office also provides continued support and mentoring once you have opened a Subway® store.
Do you have what it takes?
The key attributes of a successful franchisee are well-known:
Passionate about franchise product/service - knowing your franchise, the market and its competitors?
Good motivator?
Possess business acumen and awareness?
Organised?
Effective time-management skills?
Articulate?
People-person?
Food listener?
Effective communicator?
Professional in outlook and appearance?
Open to advice and guidance
Think a Subway® franchise could be for you? Fill in the enquiry details below to receive more information.
Interested and want to know more?
By filling in the form below you will be able to receive a copy of the Subway prospectus.
This will provide you with more detailed information on the franchise opportunity and allow you to contact them direct with any questions you may have.
This is FREE and non-obligatory; we never share or sell your personal information.
This franchise offers an outlet-based retail franchise business opportunity with widespread appeal. Our franchisees hire, train and manage employees and oversee the day-to-day running of their outlet. With Subway you are in business for yourself, not by yourself.
The Subway® brand is the Number One Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand worldwide by total store count, as at January 2018. The first Subway® in the UK store opened in 1996. Since then the Subway® brand has grown at an exceptional rate and continues to expand – we are actively seeking new franchisees to become part of the success story.
This intensive training programme provides you with an overview of operating a Subway® store and running a business, including classroom and in-store sessions. On completion of the training, franchisees are well-equipped to take the next steps in opening their own store. Similar training programmes are available for Subway® store managers as well.
The head office for the Subway® brand in the UK and Ireland is based in Cambridge, offering a local team of support staff focused on operations, R&D, leasing, customer service, training and franchisee services.