Subway, the fast-food chain known primarily for its sandwiches and salads, has been a long-standing presence in the restaurant market since its inception in 1965. Operating through a franchise model, the chain boasts over 40,000 locations in more than 100 countries, with the majority in the United States. In Poland, Subway has around 170 points of sale. However, the brand has been struggling for some time, with many locations closing even before the pandemic; in 2020 alone, nearly 1600 restaurants closed in the US. Recently, it appears that Subway is facing a crisis in Germany as well.

According to reports, one German franchisee has recently filed for bankruptcy for three locations in Albstadt-Ebingen, Balingen, and Sigmaringen. Although these restaurants are still serving customers for the time being, their fate will be determined in the coming months. The franchisee, Roland, is currently seeking new investors or operators to potentially save the troubled locations. This situation highlights the ongoing issues facing not only Subway but potentially the fast-food franchise model as a whole as it navigates the post-pandemic market.

With the growing trend of healthy eating habits and competition from other food outlets, the future of many fast-food chains, including Subway, is uncertain. As the company attempts to adapt and recover from significant losses, the outcome of the current financial challenges in Germany could have broader implications for its operations worldwide and influence other franchises facing similar circumstances.