Subway Expands Globally Despite U.S. Closures

Subway ended 2024 with more than 1,000 new openings globally, marking its second consecutive year of positive net growth—even as U.S. closures continued, according to a recent QSR magazine article. With nearly 37,000 restaurants worldwide, Subway remains one of the largest restaurant brands globally, trailing only McDonald’s and Starbucks.

International expansion is fueling that growth. The brand has signed 25 master franchise agreements since 2020, representing more than 10,000 future stores. Seven were signed in 2024 alone, bringing Subway into markets like Mongolia and Paraguay, while deepening its presence in Europe and Latin America.

At home, the chain’s U.S. footprint dipped below 20,000 units for the first time in two decades. Still, Subway holds the top spot in U.S. unit count, ahead of Starbucks and McDonald’s.

A major contributor to Subway’s momentum is its ongoing restaurant refresh. Over 20,000 locations now feature its “Fresh Forward” design, with a next-gen “Fresh Forward 2.0” already rolling out to improve the guest experience and operations.

Leadership is also in transition. Following the $9.6 billion sale to Roark Capital, CEO John Chidsey retired, with EMEA president Carrie Walsh stepping in as interim CEO.