Industry News | January 13, 2012
Subway Tops 2011 in Consumer Buzz
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YouGov’s BrandIndex looked back at 2011 to determine which U.S. brands had the greatest buzz.
Not only was Subway the 2011 Buzz leader amongst quick-serves, but Subway also had the No. 1 Buzz score amongst the entire BrandIndex universe. Two of the top 5 quick-serve brands, meanwhile, were pizza brands, with Papa John’s at No. 3 and Pizza Hut coming in at No. 4.
The quick-serve sector featured only two brands that improved by more than one point, and the largest improver (McDonald’s) climbed only 1.2 points in 2011, in terms of buzz when compared to 2010.
Some notable events for McDonald’s in 2011 include its McJob’s hiring push, its plan to launch a TV network inside stores with local news and sports, and the national launch of the McRib LTO.
The top Buzz scores in the quick-serve segment in 2011 were:
- Subway (41)
- Wendy's (26.8)
- Papa John's (24.8)
- Pizza Hut (23.3)
- Chick-Fil-A (20.9)
Subway continued to expand its breakfast and $5 foot-long program in 2011, with the foot-long program rotating a featured sub each month. Subway was the only dining brand to crack the top 10 of the entire YouGov BrandIndex universe of more than 1,100 brands.
The sandwich giant ranked No. 1 in the overall Buzz list in 2011 for the second consecutive year.
McDonald’s had the greatest leap in buzz score between 2011 and 2010, with Hardee’s coming in second, and Jimmy John’s third. The top five jumps in buzz score were as follows:
- McDonald's
2011 = 15.8
2010 = 14.6 - Hardee's
2011 = 5.6
2010 = 4.6 - Jimmy John's
2011 = 6.2
2010 = 5.1 - Culver's
2011 = 5.8
2010 = 4.8 - Nathan's Famous
2011 = 4.1
2010 = 3.2
YouGov BrandIndex (www.brandindex.com) conducts the only daily consumer perception research on brands, interviewing 5,000 people each weekday from a representative U.S. population sample, equaling more than 1.2 million interviews per year.
YouGov BrandIndex's measurement scores range from 100 to -100, and are compiled by subtracting negative feedback from positive. A score of zero means equal positive and negative feedback.
All 1,100+ U.S. brands in the YouGov BrandIndex universe were measured using their Buzz score, which asks respondents: "If you've heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?"
All results are for adults 18 and older.
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Comments
Don't judge a book by its cover
The companies receivg consumer buzz or not necessarily the franchise opportunitiutes you want to invest in 2012.
Quiznos
Where did Quiznos go?? Most out of business.
How did Quiznos fall off this list I wonder!
No buzz, just MAD operators!!
Quiznos Sub
I really wonder how Quiznos "fairs" in this Buzz??
Where is QUIZNOS??
The only "buzz" in their world is NEGATIVE. What a shame, great food. Lost a bunch of Restaurants.SAD, Sad, Bad
Yes I agree! I'm a franchisee.
The food is the only reason why I bought into Quiznos. I didn't know that the franchisor would take advantage of me. It's
definitely a shame that such a great product would not be able to take care of it's franchisees. This is a great example of how you shouldn't run a franchise system. I'm pretty sure this will hit the textbooks for the next generation to learn of what not to do. I should of bought a Subway. Very disappointing!
It's not too late.
I work at the Subway corporate headquarters in Milford, CT. We do a great job of converting closed Quiznos into Subway restaurants, and have done a number of these conversions. Why don't you contact us and discuss the details.
Subway is awful!
Subway subs are terrible. Look at their TV ads and try to get a sub that looks like they portray. Their steak and cheese is a disgrace. Philly type steak will always be the standard.
Subway is Awesome
TC who submitted "Subway is awful, look at TV ads and try and get a sub that looks like that...," Customers determine how a sandwich looks at Subway, advertisements portray Specific Formula Builds on subs, in specific quantity and order..., However in the store, customer customization changes the finished product all together. They cannot display every possible option or build. So they do pull all the fixins and meats and cheeses to the front so that customers can see what is offered and available, if fixins were placed as in the real world, you wouldn't see most of the fixins included as they would rest under the bread, so that is at least part of the reason you can never get a picture perfect anything.
As far as that goes, try and find anything that matches a picture in an advertisement in the real world..., Cereal commercials use yogurt, sour cream even glue for the milk, pictures in ads are best case scenarios and representations. Subway does not cook anything in its restaurants but Bread, all meats are heated or toasted by request. They don't have fryers, grease traps etc..., think Healthy!
Its obvious you want a philly cheese steak grilled from raw meat, slathered in a cheese like substance..., knock yourself out at Geno's..., but don't compare.., two different things. Subway makes my sub like I want it, and thats how I like it. The meats are top quality by industry standards.
YOu keep eating those not so healthy philly grease bombs with cheese like substance as thats your choice, and I like them too, everyonce in a while, but don't belittle a completely healthy alternative, Made fresh just like I like it... because its not picture perfect.
Based on market feedback , you sir are in the minority..., not that there's anything wrong with that!
Subway is awful!
Try to buy a sub that looks like their ads on TV. Their steak and cheese is reheated meat - awful!
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