Introduction
America’s largest sandwich chain is losing customers, and its biggest, fastest-growing rival is Eat This Not That. Eat This Not That is a fast-casual restaurant chain that focuses on providing healthier, more nutritious options than traditional fast-food restaurants. The chain has seen tremendous growth in recent years, as more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives to traditional fast-food. Eat This Not That offers a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and other items that are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The chain also offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options. With its focus on healthier options, Eat This Not That is quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional fast-food restaurants.
America’s Largest Sandwich Chain Is Losing Customers, and This Is Its Biggest, Fastest-Growing Rival — Eat This Not That
America’s largest sandwich chain is losing customers, and its biggest, fastest-growing rival is Eat This Not That. The chain, which has been around since the early 2000s, has seen its customer base shrink in recent years as more and more people turn to healthier, fresher options. Eat This Not That has been able to capitalize on this trend, offering a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps that are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Eat This Not That’s menu is full of delicious options that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. From classic sandwiches like the BLT and the Reuben to more creative options like the Mediterranean Veggie Wrap and the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, there’s something for everyone. The chain also offers a variety of salads, including the Kale Caesar and the Southwest Chicken Salad. And for those looking for something a little lighter, there are plenty of wraps and bowls to choose from.
Eat This Not That is also committed to sustainability, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The chain also offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options. And for those looking for a healthier option, there are plenty of low-calorie and low-fat options to choose from.
So if you’re looking for a healthier, fresher alternative to America’s largest sandwich chain, Eat This Not That is the perfect choice. With its delicious menu, commitment to sustainability, and variety of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, it’s no wonder why this chain is quickly becoming one of the most popular sandwich spots in the country.
Last year, in an attempt to recapture some of its former popularity with customers, America’s largest sandwich chain Subway announced a major menu overhaul. Ingredients were swapped for better quality versions, new signature subs were introduced to the menu, and a million of them were offered up to customers for free.
According to Subway’s subsequent sales figures, the move appears to have worked. Its August sales, which were directly boosted by the new menu, grew by 4% compared to 2019. On an annual basis, despite the fact that the chain closed nearly 1,000 restaurants in 2021, its systemwide sales rose by 13%.
While this is undeniably a move in the right direction for a chain that has been struggling to stay relevant, the recovery may not be as significant as it first appears.
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According to Restaurant Business, that growth pales in comparison to the average growth among other similar sandwich chains, which was about 21.5%. What’s more, the company’s market share has declined 10% since the start of the pandemic, according to data from Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. More specifically, Subway’s market share fell from 58% to 53% over the past two years. In other words, it’s doing okay, but losing customers to its competitors.
And currently, its biggest rival seems to be Jersey Mike’s Subs. What started as a small shop called Mike’s Subs in Point Pleasant, N.J., has grown to become a powerhouse sandwich chain known for quality ingredients. The chain counts more than 2,000 locations around the country—with those stores reaching an average of about 20% EBITA margins across the business, according to Franchise 500. In fact, its sales are up by 65% over the past two years.
So what does Jersey Mike’s have going for it? A lot, including a fan base so loyal that one fan even became a franchise owner.
Restaurant Business also notes that Jersey Mike’s performance was in part due to its “early use of technology, a quick decision to jump enthusiastically on the third-party delivery bandwagon, and [the CEO’s] eager willingness to go against franchisor convention by doing something so bold as to pay for franchisee remodels.”
Then there’s its commitment to giving back. For example, on March 30, all Jersey Mike’s restaurants donated 100% of their sales—a record-breaking $20 million—to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
“It created our biggest day of sales ever. Thank you to our customers, franchise owners, team members and Special Olympics family for making a difference!” said Caroline Jones, senior vice president of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems. In 2021, the chain raised $3 million for Feeding America.
CEO Peter Cancro estimates the franchise will amount to 3,000 units within three years. “We’re riding a wave,” Cancro told Franchise 500. “No one ever knew about us. And the last two years, they do.”
For Subway, Mike’s is one to watch in the coming years.
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Melissa Fiorenza