Subway expands locally

Four branches will open this year

American diner Subway announced its plan to expand in the local market. Subway's Local Development Agency aims to raise the number of its outlets locally to 30 by 2017.

Development Agent, Joe Hilal, said they are planning to cover all areas in the local market. During 2013, two Subway outlets opened in Nabatyeh and Balamand. During this year, four more outlets will be opening, one near the Rizk hospital in Ashrafieh, another one in Hadath, and two other outlets in Saida and Tyr.

Subway already has six stores in Downtown Beirut, Bliss Street, Aley, Nabatiyeh, Balamand, and Tripoli. Hilal said Subway outlets are planned for Dora, Zalka, Antelias, Jounieh and Broummana. The Bekaa will be covered too through outlets in Zahle and Chtaura.

Hilal is authorized by Subway International to sell Subway franchise rights to franchisees. Hilal said: “We have many franchise request applications so far, but most of them are on hold due to the situation in the country at the moment.

Subway boasts the ‘Quick Service Restaurant’ model whereby precooked ingredients are used. According to Hilal, the concept is very appealing as the brand has a strong international reputation. Subway is one of the fastest growing concepts with over 39,000 locations in 102 countries.

The Subway concept is also flexible, which makes it easy for it to succeed in different regions, said Hilal: “We are tackling university compounds, hospitals, and shopping centers.”