Subway’s $4.99 Footlong Deal Is Back, and SoCal Franchisees Hate it | Eater LA

"A corporate announcement on January 1, 2018 introduced a nationwide promotion offering a footlong sub for $4.99, applicable to 785 of 1,138 franchise locations across Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Orange County. The roughly $1.80 discount—against typical Southern California footlongs priced between $5.99 and $6.79—has franchisees concerned it will substantially cut into profit margins, and several operators in higher-rent areas chose not to participate. The promo is limited to five sandwiches (black forest ham, meatball marina, spicy Italian, cold cut combo and veggie delite). Master developer Bob Grewal, who holds rights for more than 2,000 outlets nationwide, argues the move will help the brand compete with rivals such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell amid a broader industry trend of lower-priced value meals; similar promotions ran in 2008, 2012 and 2016. The Orange County Register reported on rollout complications and franchisee dissatisfaction." - Mona Holmes