Subway, the sub giant, isn’t exactly heading for a footlong fabulous future. The chain closed over 600 locations in 2024 alone, hinting that the sandwich empire might be seriously shrinking.
Here is everything you need to know.
As the largest restaurant chain in the U.S., it’s normal to see some back-and-forth in openings and closures. But for the second year in a row, Subway shut down more restaurants than it opened, which points to a deeper problem.
According to the company’s franchise disclosure documents, the Miami-based sandwich giant closed roughly 630 locations in 2024 alone, continuing a decade-long trend of scaling back.
Subway hit its peak in 2015 with over 27,000 U.S. locations. More than a decade later, a steady stream of closures has brought that number down to 19,502 by the end of 2024— the first time in 20 years the chain’s U.S. store count has dipped below 20,000.
Blame it on competition, changing tastes, and the fact that many Subway locations just don’t sell as much as the other guys. Modern consumers are seeking more diverse, healthier, and customizable dining options. Competitors like Jersey Mike's and Sweetgreen have capitalized on these trends. The chain has struggled to keep up with faster, fresher, and frankly cooler sandwich spots—and it shows.
In response to these challenges, Subway has implemented a "Smart Growth" strategy, focusing on closing underperforming locations and optimizing store placement.
In a statement to CNN, Subway said it’s still growing internationally and now has 37,000 locations worldwide. But in the U.S., it’s being more selective. The company says it’s “opening new restaurants as well as relocating or closing locations as needed” and using a “strategic, data-driven approach” to make sure each store is in the right spot, looks good, and is run by the right people.