Subs, additionally referred to as grinders, hoagies, heroes, wedges, and a wide range of different regional names, are kind of the second official American sandwich, behind the hamburger.
They’re versatile, as a sub generally is a chilly sandwich laden with chilly cuts, greens, mayo, and varied spreads, or a sizzling sandwich, equivalent to a meatball hoagie, rooster parmigiana grinder, or my favourite, a steak and cheese sub.
Many would argue that the Philadelphia cheesesteak is the usual setter.
“There are a lot of sandwich shops out there that tout the freshness of their ingredients. But few can match a local favorite Philly cheesesteak shop in terms of sheer volume. This means that even very popular sandwich shops in other parts of the country are only getting fresh product delivered once or twice a week, which is plenty for pushing out a few hundred sandwiches per day,” Mashed reported.
Singer Patti Labelle informed Drew Barrymore on her discuss present that method, not location makes the most effective cheesesteak.
“According to Patti, putting cheese at the bottom of your hoagie bun and topping it with cooked steak provides enough heat for the cheese to properly melt. The end result is identical to what you’d get from a more traditional method for Philly cheesesteak, where you cover the steak with cheese and cook until melted,” the Philly native and restaurant proprietor shared.
Cheesteak opinions range by area
These of us from Boston, nonetheless, discover the Philly argument foolish. A Boston-style steak and cheese, which makes use of provolone or American cheese, is superior, very similar to the Patriots are higher than the Eagles, the Pink Sox are higher than the Phillies, and the Bruins clearly have an edge over the Flyers.
Regional arguments apart, Subway has been the clear nationwide sub chain chief, with over 19,500 places within the U.S. alone on the finish of 2024.
One other chain, Quiznos, was as soon as on the rise and trying to catch up, however its fall was spectacular.
High U.S. sub chains by retailer rely:
- Subway: By far the most important chain; QSR 50 experiences over 20,133 U.S. items (information was from earlier than the chain purged underperforming items).
- Jersey Mike’s Subs: 2,684 whole items, based on QSR 2024.
- Jimmy John’s: 2,644 items, per QSR 2024.
- Firehouse Subs: 1,209 items, based on QSR 2024.
- McAlister’s Deli: Listed in QSR’s prime chains, with 539 items in its 2024 breakdown.
Supply for all above: QSR Journal High 50 - Charley’s Philly Steaks & Wings: Continuously seems in prime sandwich-chain lists.
Supply: Entrepreneur - Potbelly Sandwich Works: Not at all times prime by gross sales, however generally listed amongst prime sandwich franchises.
Supply: Tony Boys NJ
Not all chains share their retailer counts publicly.
Subway has been the clear market chief by retailer rely.
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Quiznos used to have almost 5,000 U.S. places
Quiznos, which has shrunk to below 200 places, was as soon as a rising competitor that climbed to just about 5,000 U.S. places. The chain constructed its enterprise round toasting its subs on a kind of conveyor-belt toaster.
Its mission seems on the Quiznos web site.
“The little sub shop that began in 1981 in Denver, CO still has the same bold ideas that we had in the beginning. We boldly believe that your food should taste great and that we should use only the highest quality ingredients to create your perfect lunch,” it posted.
The chain’s rise was quick, however its fall was even quicker.
“By 2006, there were 5,000 stores offering cheesy, hot, oven-toasted sandwiches, making it the second-largest sandwich shop in the U.S.,” Cheapism reported. “But since then, Quiznos has been on a downward spiral, closing a whopping 4,700 U.S. locations over a decade. By 2017, the sandwich chain was down to a mere 400 locations — a 90% loss.”
The web site mentioned the rationale for the downfall was clear, blaming its pricing technique.
“People wanted cheap, not necessarily toasted, sandwiches, and Subway offered just that,” it added.
Way back to 2011, franchise operators had issues in regards to the enterprise mannequin.
“My hope is that management will shift to a model more profitable to individual stores,” mentioned Kevin Tackett, Quiznos largest conventional franchise operator and president of a newly shaped Quiznos franchisee affiliation informed Nation’s Restaurant Information.
The chain averted a chapter submitting in 2012 by promoting itself, however that didn’t repair its issues, based on one trade skilled.
Associated: Widespread barbecue chain closing virtually half of its places
“John Gordon, a consultant with Pacific Management Consulting Group in San Diego, said the chain had a fundamental problem with store-level economics, estimating that as many as 2,500 franchise locations have closed since 2006,” Nation’s Restaurant Information reported.
Gordon, nonetheless, was incorrect in his assertion that the chain’s 2012 money infusion would assist it flip issues round.
“This is a good shot,” Gordon mentioned. “But it’s critically important they work to improve the business model.”
The rise and fall of Quiznos
- At its peak (round 2006-2007), Quiznos had 4,700-5,000 U.S. places.
Supply: Cheapism - By 2017, the variety of U.S. Quiznos shops had dropped to round 400.
Supply: Foodie - As of early 2025, experiences nonetheless put U.S. Quiznos places at fewer than 150, which means over 4,500+ shops have closed since their peak.
Supply: Flavor365
Authorized analysts on the American Bar affiliation had been crucial of Quiznos in a 2025 article.
“Quiznos’s mismanagement of its franchisee relationships and systemic neglect led to lawsuits, closures, and a collapse that serves as a cautionary tale for the franchising industry,” it shared.
Estimated Quiznos closures by interval
- 2007: Peak of 4,700-5,000 U.S. places.
- 2008–2009: Roughly 1,000 shops closed on this span.
- 2010: Round 1,500 shops closed.
Supply: Day by day Meal - 2014: Quiznos filed for Chapter 11 chapter, at which level that they had dropped to 2,100 places.
Supply: Flavor365 - 2017: The U.S. retailer rely fell to 400.
Supply: Foodie - 2020: Experiences say there have been about 255 U.S. places, down considerably from prior years.
Supply: Restaurant Enterprise On-line - 2024-2025: As of early 2025, fewer than 150 Quiznos places remained within the U.S.
Supply: Flavor365
