Fast-food giant Subway has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years and has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. It’s a far cry from his once-famous ad campaigns with Jared Fogle, the company’s longtime spokesperson, and his incredible weight loss journey. However, Fogle’s story took a dark turn when he was arrested and later convicted of crimes related to child abuse and indecent material. This shocking scandal left Subway in shock and forced them to distance themselves from their former poster boy.
Despite this public relations nightmare, Subway has remained a popular choice for those looking for quick and healthier dining options. Subway offers a wide variety of vegetables and healthier options than some of its fast-food competitors, such as McDonald’s or Burger King, and has allowed customers to customize their sandwiches with whole-wheat bread and fresh ingredients. But beneath the surface, the restaurant chain faced significant challenges.
In 2017, Subway experienced a significant setback, closing nearly 900 locations across the United States. The following year, they announced plans to close another 500 stores. It was clear that Subway was going through a period of change and needed to resolve its internal issues to remain competitive in the fast food industry.
Greco has worked at Subway since she was a teenager. However, franchisees criticized her for playing the CEO. He claims she did not support the growth of the company and provided little support. Additionally, according to a Business Insider report, nearly one-third of Subway’s 25,800 U.S. restaurants may not even be profitable.
“A lot of people in the industry feel that Suzanne is not qualified to be the CEO of the company,” one franchisee told Business Insider. While the franchisees are losing everything they have, she says she is helping us.
Greco needs to improve. Instead, he resigns.
Greco stated that rather than try to keep Subway profitable, she would retire.
Trevor Haynes, Subway’s director of business development, now takes over as acting CEO.
Fred DeLuca’s sister is Greco. As his battle with leukemia drew to a close, he chose her to run the chain.
Greco has now left Subway. Additionally, the fast food franchise will be run by someone outside the family for the first time in 53 years. He will retire at the end of June.
Subway has been a part of my life since I was seven years old. I will always adore the company and the product, but it’s time for me to strike a better balance in my life. I believe in the future of the company and feel very good about the strategic decisions we have made over the last three years.
Greco may be confident, but its franchisees may not be. Simply put, they are “cautiously optimistic.”
While Greco may be confident about Subway’s future, franchisees remain cautiously optimistic. According to a former Subway franchisee manager, “her [stepping aside] was long overdue.” Franchisees hope the new management will address their concerns and help the business turn a profit.
The departure of Suzanne Greco as CEO of Subway signals a new chapter for the iconic fast food chain. Subway’s challenges are not insurmountable, but they require strong leadership, a clear vision and a commitment to supporting franchises. As the company undergoes these changes, Subway’s future remains uncertain, leaving both franchisees and loyal customers eager to see what comes next.
If Subway leaves your area, will you miss it? What do you think about the CEO stepping down after negative reviews? Subway’s road to recovery will no doubt be closely watched by the fast food industry and its customers.
What do you think about the CEO stepping down after negative reviews?