How Many Subway Locations Are There Worldwide

In a previous post, we looked at how many McDonald’s locations exist worldwide. Today, we’ll explore the global reach of Subway and uncover how many locations it operates today.

Subway, a global fast-food giant, has been a prominent player in the quick-service restaurant industry for decades. Known for its fresh-made subs and customizable sandwich options, Subway has expanded its presence to countries across the globe. As of 2024, the chain operates around 36,000 locations in over 100 countries, making it one of the largest fast-food chains by store count worldwide. Let’s explore the history of Subway's growth, its geographic distribution, and the current number of restaurants.

A Brief History of Subway's Expansion

Subway began in 1965 as a small sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut, founded by Fred DeLuca and funded by his friend Peter Buck. Originally named "Pete’s Super Submarines," the chain rebranded as Subway in 1972. By the mid-1970s, Subway adopted a franchising model, which set the stage for rapid expansion.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Subway grew at an impressive pace, reaching 10,000 locations by 1994. By 2004, Subway had opened its 25,000th store, and by 2015, it peaked at 44,000 restaurants worldwide. However, since then, Subway has faced challenges such as market saturation, increased competition, and shifting consumer preferences, which led to a decline in store numbers. As of 2024, Subway operates approximately 36,000 locations globally, a significant reduction from its 2015 peak but still maintaining its status as a global leader​.

Subway's Current Global Presence

Subway continues to have a robust presence in the United States, where it operates the majority of its restaurants. In 2024, there are about 20,000 Subway stores across the U.S., accounting for more than half of its global total​.

California leads the states with over 2,000 locations, followed by Texas, New York, and Florida. In major U.S. cities, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles each boast over 100 Subway stores​.

Internationally, Subway has significant footprints in several countries. In Canada, Subway operates around 2,900 locations, making it the second-largest market after the U.S. The United Kingdom comes in third with over 2,100 restaurants. Other prominent markets include Brazil (around 1,500 stores), Australia (over 1,200 locations), and India, which has been experiencing rapid growth with over 800 stores​.

Despite its vast global presence, some countries have relatively few Subway locations. For example, in European countries like Greece and Denmark, Subway operates only a handful of restaurants. Additionally, some smaller nations or regions, such as the Marshall Islands and Liechtenstein, have just one Subway restaurant each​.

Subway's Challenges and Future Prospects

Subway’s meteoric rise has been accompanied by challenges in recent years. Since 2015, Subway has been closing more locations than it opens, largely due to market saturation and increased competition from fast-casual brands like Chipotle and Panera Bread. Changing consumer preferences for healthier, fresher food options have also impacted Subway, as its "Eat Fresh" slogan has struggled to keep pace with the evolving demands of health-conscious consumers​.

Overexpansion has been another issue. In the U.S., Subway's density in certain areas led to a phenomenon where new stores cannibalized sales from existing ones. To address these challenges, Subway has focused on revamping its menu, improving store aesthetics, and rolling out new technology to streamline the customer experience​(.

Conclusion

Subway remains a global fast-food powerhouse, despite a reduction in its number of stores from its peak. With around 36,000 locations worldwide in 2024, the brand continues to have a significant presence, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Moving forward, Subway faces the challenge of adapting to changing consumer preferences and increasing competition in the fast-casual space, but its strong brand recognition and widespread franchise network position it well for future growth.