Money

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

Published

2 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

How to position investments for 2026: Expert advice on market cycles

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

Published

13 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, strategic investment positioning and understanding market cycles are crucial for navigating today’s evolving financial landscape.

As 2026 begins, investors are navigating an evolving market landscape. Experts stress that positioning your investments strategically is far more important than trying to predict market movements.

Key factors include focusing on quality companies, maintaining strong cash flow, and diversifying intelligently.

Dale Gillham from Wealth Within Group joins us to break down what defines a major market cycle and why understanding it can shape your investment approach. From identifying inflation-resilient businesses to selectively tapping into growth themes like AI, this discussion covers essential strategies for the year ahead.

We also explore the role of risk management, the importance of an exit strategy, and how emotional decision-making can impact your portfolio. For anyone looking to strengthen their investing education and skills, this episode offers actionable insights to gain an edge in 2026.

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#Investing2026 #MarketCycles #WealthManagement #AIInvesting #FinancialStrategy #RiskManagement #InvestmentTips #TickerNews

Money

Markets in 2026: Fed rates, gold surge, oil tensions & AUD strength

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.

As 2026 begins, global markets face a mix of economic shifts and geopolitical tensions shaping currencies, commodities, and interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s next moves are under the microscope, and Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets says understanding these changes is key for investors navigating the year ahead.

Gold and silver are hitting all-time highs, driven by market volatility and economic uncertainty. Kresovic notes that both metals are likely to continue climbing, remaining essential safe-haven assets amid inflation concerns.

Energy markets are also volatile, with crude oil prices rising amid geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is showing strength against the U.S. dollar. Kresovic highlights that these trends in energy and currency markets can ripple across the global economy, making them critical for investors to watch.

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#MarketUpdate #FedRates2026 #GoldPrices #SilverSurge #CrudeOil #AUDUSD #InvestingInsights #TickerNews

Money

Stocks hit record high as Powell faces investigation and Trump proposes credit cap

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.

The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high, with the Nasdaq climbing 0.5% while the Dow Jones held steady. This comes amid news of a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Despite the scrutiny, analysts believe short-term interest rates and inflation are unlikely to be impacted.

Meanwhile, Trump’s proposal to cap credit card rates at 10% for a year sparked concern among investors about potential effects on lending and bank profitability. Major bank stocks reacted sharply, with Citigroup down 3% and Capital One falling 6%.

In commodities, gold futures rose 2%, reflecting fears that political pressure on the Fed could challenge its ability to manage inflation effectively.

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#StockMarket #SP500 #Nasdaq #FederalReserve #JeromePowell #TrumpNews #BankStocks #GoldFutures