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

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

2 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

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

#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

2 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

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

Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

22 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

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