Freshii CEO Matthew Corrin is back at it, penning another open letter to a quick-service chain facing challenges in hopes of convincing the brand to convert to his health-focused concept.
Once again, Corrin’s epistolary efforts are centered on Subway, which closed hundreds of units in 2017 and is currently facing franchisee protest over its $4.99 Footlong sandwich promotion. He made a similar pitch in a letter to Subway in March.
In today’s letter, Corrin calls out Subway’s recent woes, while repeatedly quoting the chain’s founder, Fred DeLuca.
Corrin writes: “We have a sincere proposal to help Subway appeal to the next generation of fresh food lovers and your franchise partners globally. Rather than risking the closure of another 900 Subway stores in 2018, let’s explore a partnership. Let’s work together to convert select Subway stores to Freshii restaurants. This will allow Freshii and Subway to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome: supporting entrepreneurial franchise partners and continuing to deliver on our missions.”
He then directs Subway officials to a website for more information, which includes news links to stories about Subway’s struggles and Freshii’s successes.
Subway has not responded to the plea.
Corrin’s pen has been busy in recent years. In May 2015, he published a letter to McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook in USA Today, asking that a co-branded Freshii outlet be opened in one of the burger chain’s units—complete with a money-back guarantee. McDonald’s declined the offer.
In May 2016, Corrin authored an open letter pitch for a “From Froyo to Freshi” offer, soliciting frozen yogurt franchisees willing to convert their units to Freshii operations.
Earlier that year, Freshii tried a different dig at a struggling chain: While Chipotle held a chainwide closure for a company meeting on food safety, Freshii served up Mexican menu items at half off.
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