Subway, continuing to look for ways to revitalize moribund sales, is trying something different: Milkshakes made with low-calorie ice cream.
The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich giant said on Monday that it is testing “hand-spun” milkshakes made with Halo Top ice cream at 1,000 locations this summer.
The test will begin July 22 and run through Sept. 4. The shakes will come in three flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate and Strawberry. Each shake will have 350 calories or less.
The company is testing the product in Colorado Springs; Hartford, Conn.; Longview and Tyler, Texas; Salt Lake City; Toledo, Ohio; and West Palm Beach, Fla.
The test comes as Subway has intensified its innovation in a bid to get customers back following years of sales challenges. The company introduced Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Bread earlier this year, for instance, and more recently announced a test of sandwiches made with King’s Hawaiian Bread.
In this case, the company becomes the first major restaurant chain to partner with Halo Top, which has disrupted its category with pints of ice cream that have between 280-360 calories per pint and 20 grams of protein.
“We enjoy finding creative and innovative ways for people to eat more ice cream and feel good about it,” Doug Bouton, president of Halo Top, said in a statement. “We think this partnership provides the perfect platform to do just that.”
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