Giving back is part of the mantra of McLean, Virginia-based Subway Development Corporation of Washington (SDC). As members of the SUBWAY development office covering Virginia, Delaware, most of Maryland, and the District of Columbia, they know that charity plays a large role in the corporate culture of the world’s largest restaurant chain.
With that being said, a check for $360,000 was recently presented to the American Diabetes Association by members of SDC at their 16th annual Charity Golf Tournament, where proceeds from the event also benefited the Association.
“We are honored to have been selected once again as SDC’s charity of choice. Through their generous support, we can continue to offer community outreach programs to help people with diabetes and continue to educate those at risk,” says Greg Elfers, chief field development officer of the American Diabetes Association. “We salute Subway for offering friendlier meal options for people with diabetes and appreciate their continued commitment, which will help people lead healthier lives.”
This is the third year that SDC has chosen the American Diabetes Association as their charity of choice, bringing their total giving amount to nearly $1 million. The majority of the donation was raised from the sale of “Stop Diabetes Hands,” where customers visiting area SUBWAY restaurants could make a $1 donation to the Association and receive a pin-up Stop Diabetes hand. More than 1,200 SUBWAY restaurants across the region participated.
“Our support of the ADA just makes sense. So many people have diabetes or are pre-diabetic, and Subway is well known for healthier options,” says David Dickerson, vice president of operations for SDC. “We are extremely proud to have raised $30 thousand more than last year, which brings our total charitable giving over the years to $2.7 million. Our success in raising funds and awareness is only possible because of the hard work of our franchisees, managers, and sandwich artists at the restaurant level who have shown strong support of the donation drive.”
In addition to the pin-up campaign and golf tournament, SDC supports the Association’s signature fundraising events, including the Tour de Cure fundraisers held every June and the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes held every October by providing food. SUBWAY restaurants in select markets have also introduced "Diabetes Friendlier Meal Choices" to ensure a variety of options for the millions of customers with diabetes. This menu option allows customers to have their bread “scooped out” when ordering lower fat sandwiches, further reducing the amount of calories and carbohydrates consumed.
Located in McLean, Virginia, the Subway Development Corporation of Washington (SDC) supports its franchisees with site selection, restaurant design, layout and construction assistance, financing, opening assistance, quality assurance, and ongoing operational support. The company also has an elected advisory board of franchisees that assist in advertising placement, product selection, and policy implementation.
