Subway was once a brand that offered consumers healthy options among the sea of fast food offerings. After numerous run ins with ethical and legal issues surrounding the quality of their food the once struggling brand may finally see the end. In 2018, subways was already seen as a failing brand among the franchise owners, with many being placed up for sale (Taylor, 2018).
Subway’s brand promotes food transparency and building up their communities as some of their polices (Subway, 2020). However, Subway has often come under fire regarding the quality of their offerings. Issues such as exaggerating the length of their sandwiches, the content of the ingredients in their bread, and if the tuna in their tuna is actually tuna at all. These claims are harmful for a consumers perception of a brand deemed the healthy alternative.
With the increase of more clean, fast takeout options, Subway’s issues are becoming the businesses shortcomings. Consumers have more options for better quality foods. The many issues surrounding the quality of their food offerings push’s away consumers and gives them the perception that the food was not fresh like the brand claims (Taylor, 2018)
If the brands desires to focus on food transparencies and their communities, as stated on their website, then the best solution for subway would be to overhaul their operations. Subway has consistently glazed over their scandals, often vehemently denying the claims, but does nothing to encourage consumers to continue to utilize their options. Current operations place profits on a higher level then quality. However without the quality, fresh ingredients, there are no consumer purchases to produce profits.
References
Subway. (2020). Our Commitment. Retrieved from Subway.com website: https://www.subway.com/en-US/AboutUs/SocialResponsibility/OurOverallCommitment
Taylor, K. (2018, January 1). Subway’s “mystery meat” and “mushy and rotten vegetables” destroyed the “Eat Fresh” advantage it spent years building. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/subway-food-hurts-reputation-fails-to-keep-up-with-trends-2018-1
Millennial Marketer 