Although the quick-service sandwich segment was slower to rebound than some of its peers, thanks to a relative lack of drive-thrus, the category has found a welcome spot in today’s recovery. The product travels and is well suited for off-premises innovation, as well as packaging and menu ideation in general.
Overall, the category within the QSR 50 today has fewer stores than it did in 2010, as Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox pointed out. It’s down modestly from 33,853 to 33,038 locations, or just about negative 2.4 percent. The culprit isn’t so much volatility as it’s a brand reshuffle. In 2010, there were seven chains on the list—just as there are now. But Quiznos, Jason’s Deli, and Einstein Bros. have been swapped with Jersey Mike’s, Firehouse Subs, and McAlister’s Deli. And the landscape at the top has shifted. Quiznos had more than 4,200 locations back then and is now forging a comeback with fewer than 200. Subway closed 2021 with 21,147 U.S. outlets, a net decrease of 3,650 versus 2019. This is where the gap comes in. The growth thus far hasn’t quite filled the Subway-Quiznos void yet. But outside of Subway and Panera, the other five sandwich chains in this year’s QSR 50 all exited the year in the green. None more so than Jersey Mike’s, which tacked on 246 net locations a year after adding 189.
In September 2021, CEO Peter Cancro told QSR the sandwich franchise had roughly 1,200 stores in development, 250 were expected to open in 2021 (a promise that just about came to fruition), and Jersey Mike’s expected to reach a yearly pace of 300 stores soon enough, with a 3,000-unit, three-year goal on deck. It’s been mounting as Jersey Mike’s added 173 and 150 units, respectively, in the years leading up to 2020.
On to the full rankings.
CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S SANDWICH RANKINGS
SEE HOW THE BURGER GIANTS STACKED UP
Note: If viewing on desktop, click the arrow in the photo to see the next page. All figures are U.S. year-end 2021. * Indicates figure estimated by QSR.
1. Subway*
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,350
Average sales per unit (thousands): $438
Franchised stores: 21,147
Company stores: 0
2021 Total Units: 21,147
Total change in units from 2020: -1,043
2. Panera Bread*
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,650
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,700
Franchised stores: 1,130
Company stores: 950
2021 Total Units: 2,080
Total change in units from 2020: -25
3. Arby’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,462
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,309
Franchised stores: 2,293
Company stores: 1,116
2021 Total Units: 3,409
Total change in units from 2020: 40
4. Jimmy John’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,301
Average sales per unit (thousands): $866
Franchised stores: 2,616
Company stores: 41
2021 Total Units: 2,657
Total change in units from 2020: 48
5. Jersey Mike’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,203
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,145
Franchised stores: 2,087
Company stores: 13
2021 Total Units: 2,100
Total change in units from 2020: 246
6. Firehouse Subs
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,044
Average sales per unit (thousands): $909
Franchised stores: 1,101
Company stores: 39
2021 Total Units: 1,140
Total change in units from 2020: 9
7. McAlister’s Deli
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $869
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,866
Franchised stores: 472
Company stores: 33
2021 Total Units: 505
Total change in units from 2020: 24
