Food

Subway’s next menu upgrade: Pickles

A thicker, crisper, juicier pickle is now available to layer on any Subway sandwich. The chain is tying the launch into a pickleball sweepstakes.
Subway's new crisper, juicier dill pickles can be added to any of the chain's sandwiches. /Photo courtesy of Subway.

Subway introduced a brand-new pickle today, just in time for National Pickle Day on Monday.

The thicker, crisper, juicier pickle is the latest ingredient upgrade from the chain, which has been working on a menu refresh since last year. The dill-flavored pickles were chosen to complement the meats, cheeses, veggies and sauces in Subway’s sandwiches.

For the pickle day promotion, Subway is also bringing back Lay’s Dill Pickle Chips for customers to pair with any sub. And when customers spend $15 or more ordering Subway on the DoorDash app, they get a free bag of these potato chips or any others.

Naturally, pickles tie into the pickleball craze, and Subway is jumping on the trend with a #PickleballisLife sweepstakes in partnership with Lay’s. One winning pickleballer will get free Subway sandwiches and Lay’s Dill Pickle Chips for a year. Details for entering are posted on social media by following @lays and @subway.

Subway’s menu upgrades have paid off for the Milford, Conn.-based sandwich giant. This summer’s addition of the “Subway Series”—12 chef-curated subs made with quality ingredients—has lifted same-store sales 8.4% in the third quarter.

The chain’s “Eat Fresh, Refresh” menu overhaul last July was the first in a string of improvements. That’s when Subway introduced artisan bread and added 11 new ingredients to its pantry, including vinaigrettes, premium Italian cold cuts, Angus beef, fresh mozzarella, rotisserie chicken and fresh avocados.

The new pickles are the latest menu enhancement, but they won’t be the last. Meat slicers are being installed at locations to further elevate the perception of quality.

pickles

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Technology

Wonder bets meal kits aren't dead yet

Tech Check: By acquiring the struggling Blue Apron, the restaurant delivery concept believes it can touch more dining occasions. But will it work?

Financing

Demand for chicken takes Huey Magoo's to new heights

Longtime chicken executive Andy Howard saw something in the tiny Florida chain more than five years ago. It is now one of the fastest growing concepts in the country.

Financing

Stake your claim to the low-price market at your own risk

The Bottom Line: Subway and Burger King have staked their claims as value leaders in their respective segments. Recent events have highlighted the difficulties of that position.

Trending

More from our partners