Subway announced its first location at the United States Air Force Academy, located on the academy’s campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This restaurant is an important step, according to the chain, because it is the first Subway franchise to be owned and operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES.
One of the nation’s largest retail and foodservice operators, the AAFES provides quality merchandise and services to more than 7.3 million soldiers, airmen, and their families through about twelve thousand facilities in military installations around the world.
The initial agreement with the AAFES calls for the Subway restaurant to be located within the Air Force Academy’s dormitory area. A second Subway is scheduled to open in the Visitor’s Center in the upcoming months.
“This is the culmination of many years of work and negotiation,” says Chuck deNicolo, national account manager for non-traditional development at Subway. “It represents a significant source of new business opportunities for Subway by giving us the chance to take part in programs that encourage continued participation in our country’s all-volunteer military.
“The addition of a Subway franchise helps aid the Army and Air Force’s quality-of-life initiatives that are designed to keep up morale and ease adjustment to military life by adding some elements of home and civilian life. With Subway included in their already impressive lineup of dining opportunities, the AAFES can now offer a healthful alternative to typical fast food,” added deNicolo.
As of November 2001, the Subway concept had more than 15,500 locations in 73 countries.
