A Subway restaurant location in Miami, Florida. (Credit: Joe Raedle via Getty Images)
MILFORD, Conn. - Subway is introducing new, innovative ways for its fans to "eat fresh."
The global fast-food restaurant franchise announced Monday it is expanding its brick-and-mortar presence with smart vending machines in an effort to better serve its "on-the-go" guests.
In September, Subway installed its first interactive, fully unattended smart fridge at the University of California San Diego, which was stocked daily by the franchisee's nearby restaurant location.
The smart fridge features artificial intelligence and natural language processing, and guests can talk directly to the smart fridge and ask about any of the products inside. Weight-sensor shelves help ensure guests are charged correctly, resulting in a contactless and cashless transaction, and UV-C light sanitation is used after every purchase, according to the company.
About Subway’s smart fridges
Known for its made-to-order sandwiches, Subway said the initial feedback on the smart fridge was "extremely positive" and is seeing strong interest across its system of franchisees interested in expanding their portfolios with smart fridges.
Subway smart fridge and to-go sandwich (Credit: Subway)
"Subway Grab & Go has quickly gained traction as consumers are drawn to sandwiches made fresh daily from a brand they know and love, versus competitor items that rely on a 14-day plus shelf life," said Karla Martinez, director of innovation for non-traditional development. "As Subway continues to expand off-premises concepts, guests can expect to find Subway Grab & Go and smart fridges in more convenient everyday places like airports, college campuses, and hospitals."
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For the first three quarters of 2022, nearly 6,000 non-traditional locations (including hospitals, college campuses and convenience stores) across the U.S. and Canada saw an average 13% increase in same-store sales, compared to the same period in 2021.
"As more of our guests search for dining experiences to meet their 'in-the-moment' needs, the brand's non-traditional locations and platforms can serve them wherever and whenever they are craving Subway," said Taylor Bennett, vice president of non-traditional development at Subway. "As Subway focuses on strategic and profitable growth, there is a significant opportunity to expand our footprint in non-traditional locations and for franchisees to generate incremental revenue for their business."
In July, Subway gave away up to 1 million free sandwiches across the U.S. in honor of the restaurant chain’s "most significant menu update in its nearly 60-year history."
The rebrand was part of Subway’s "transformation journey" that began in 2021 following declining U.S. sales and media coverage in the past over claims about its tuna sandwich. The Connecticut-based company added more than 20 new or refreshed ingredients to the Subway menu and also did a similar sub sandwich giveaway.
Subway restaurants, which grew to popularity with their $5 footlongs, are franchised. Today there are more than 37,000 Subway restaurants in over 100 countries, ranking among the largest fast-food restaurant chains in the world.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.