In the land of dumplings and noodles, Subway plans to have 900 sandwich restaurants in China by the end of 2015, according to comments made to local media by the company's management.
Subway's fast food expansion in China has been slow. So far, the company has about 318 outlets in the country, including 100 newly opened ones during the first half of 2012. In 2011, the company launched about 70 restaurants. The company has gone through ups and downs over the last 15 years, especially in northern China where its former franchise holder had some problems expanding in Beijing in the late 1990s.
During recent years, the American and European fast food market has become nearly saturated, and emerging markets such as China and India have become new battlefields for Western fast food companies. McDonald's announced plans to hire 70,000 new employees in China and Burger King said it would open 1,000 restaurants in China over the next five to seven years.
At present, there are over 3,500 KFC restaurants, 1,400 McDonald's restaurants, 318 Subway restaurants, and 67 Burger King restaurants in China.
Founded by Fred Deluca and Peter Buck in 1965, Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. As one of the fastest growing franchises in the world, Subway had developed 37,000 restaurants in 100 countries and regions as of June 27, 2012.
Hopefully one will be in Nanning!