Money

What’s wrong with Subway’s brand as foot traffic drops 20%

Published

3 years ago

August 29, 2023

Subway, the iconic sandwich chain, faces significant challenges as it prepares to be acquired by Roark Capital for nearly $10 billion, according to industry experts.

Exclusive data from Placer.ai reveals a troubling trend of plummeting foot traffic in Subway’s US franchises, with a staggering 21.6% decline over the past four years.

This decline sharply contrasts with rival Jersey Mike’s, which has experienced a 39.1% increase in foot traffic during the same period from May 2019 to May 2023.

Andrew Pudzer, former CEO of CKE Restaurants, which includes fast-food brands like Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, commented on Subway’s predicament, saying, “You never want to see traffic down significantly. If you are going to build your business, you can’t continue to lose traffic at a significant rate.”

Foot traffic down

While Subway’s foot traffic did show a modest 0.08% increase from May 2022 to May 2023, it lagged behind Jersey Mike’s (13.7%) and Jimmy John’s (2.4%). Firehouse Subs also experienced a decline, down by 4.2% during that period.

Despite these challenges, Subway has touted positive same-store sales growth of 9.3% in North America this year, attributing it to a transformation journey that included menu improvements and franchisee profitability enhancements.

Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm known for backing restaurant conglomerate Inspire Brands, agreed to purchase Subway for $9 billion, with an additional $600 million contingent upon Subway meeting certain performance targets. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

New slogan

Pudzer, who oversaw Roark’s acquisition of Arby’s in 2011 when it was struggling, suggests that Subway needs a new slogan to reinvigorate its brand.

Subway has faced several public relations challenges over the past decade, including the conviction of spokesperson Jared Fogle for child pornography in 2015 and allegations of selling fake tuna and chicken. The brand also faced backlash for its association with soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who knelt during the national anthem.

To regain its footing, Subway will need to reconnect with its target market and make customers feel comfortable once again, according to Pudzer.

Money

Australia’s inflation report and Nvidia earnings impact explained

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Published

5 days ago

February 26, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s inflation report sparks market shifts, influencing interest rates, the Aussie dollar, and investor sentiment amid Nvidia’s earnings.

Australia’s latest inflation report is creating waves across the market, with questions about interest rates, the strong performance of the Aussie dollar, and the uneven nature of the stock market rally. Investors are watching closely as changes in carry trade risks this month add another layer of complexity.

David Scutt from StoneX discusses what these shifts mean for trading strategies and the broader economic outlook. He provides insight into how underlying factors are shaping investor confidence and market dynamics.

On the tech side, Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are expected to influence AI development and the broader tech sector. Coupled with trends in SaaS and bitcoin price action, these movements are signalling how investor sentiment is evolving in a fast-changing landscape.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustraliaEconomy #InflationReport #AussieDollar #NvidiaEarnings #AIInvesting #StockMarketNews #BitcoinTrends #SaaSInsights

Money

U.S. stocks rally as AMD, Home Depot, and AI software lead gains

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

Published

6 days ago

February 25, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. equities rose as AI disruption fears eased, with Home Depot, AMD, and DocuSign driving tech stock gains.

U.S. tech stocks surged as investors’ fears over AI disruption eased. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9% after Meta announced a multiyear deal to deploy AMD’s graphics processing units for AI data centres. The move highlights growing corporate confidence in AI infrastructure investments.

DocuSign also rose 3% following Anthropic’s confirmation that Claude Cowork can integrate with DocuSign, Google Drive, and Gmail, signalling stronger adoption of AI tools across industries.

The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF climbed 2% despite remaining over 30% below its 52-week high, showing tech stocks are recovering but still have room to run.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

Stocks tumble amid AI concerns and Trump tariff update

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Published

1 week ago

February 24, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Dow drops 800+ points as AI and trade worries hit tech and retail stocks; bonds rise amid market volatility.

Stocks plunged sharply as concerns over artificial intelligence and trade tensions rattled investors, sending the Dow down more than 800 points. Heavyweights like American Express, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan were key contributors to the drop.

Software companies were hit particularly hard after a report suggested AI could impact economic growth, triggering further losses across tech shares.

Trade-sensitive retailers including American Eagle Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, and Yeti Holdings also faced setbacks as market uncertainty spiked. Bonds, meanwhile, rallied as investors sought safety in a volatile market.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker