Subway Thailand plans 700 new stores

The sandwich chain is aggressively doubling its current network of restaurants in the region to over 6,000 in the next five years.

Subway has signed a new master franchise agreement with the existing multi-unit franchisee About Passion Co. Ltd. to significantly expand its presence in Thailand.

The new deal sees About Passion Co. Ltd. opening more than 700 new Subway locations across Thailand over the next decade, expanding on the brand’s current footprint of over 130 restaurants.

Existing and future restaurants will adapt the sandwich chain’s “Fresh Forward” design, whilst also allowing franchisees the flexibility to incorporate elements of Thai culture into their restaurants.

About Passion Co. Ltd.’s focus will be to ensure restaurants are in locations with “high accessibility and visibility, including drive-throughs and non-traditional restaurant models, such as kiosks and Grab & Go,” the announcement said.

“We have seen a strong demand for Subway across Thailand and, with About Passion Co. Ltd.’s existing knowledge of our business model and success in implementing operational excellence across their current restaurant locations, we are confident they will be successful in strategically expanding our presence in the country,” Subway chief executive officer John Chidsey said.

“We have seen enormous success in our Subway restaurants throughout Bangkok and are committed to continuing to build profitable and sustainable growth and inspiring brand love amongst Thai consumers,” added Thanakorn Thanawarith, founder and director of About Passion Co. Ltd. “As guests across Thailand increasingly seek better-for-you, convenient and affordable food options, we’re confident Subway will be a welcome and distinct alternative to the QSR brands traditionally offered in the region.”

Last year, Subway signed similar deals to expand in Indonesia,India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

In an interview with QSR Media, APAC president Eric Foo said he currently expects the sandwich giant to have about 6,600 restaurants in the next five years, effectively doubling their current network and has named China and Japan as markets with “significant, untapped opportunity.”