Curious to find out “How many Subways are there in the world? We got you!
A subway is a go-to place for many, not only in the United States but across the world, thanks to its customizable submarine sandwiches and unique taste.
So how did Subway grow from a small sandwich shop to the huge name that it is today? And how many Subway locations are there in different countries and states? Let’s find out!
About Subway
Subway is a worldwide popular restaurant chain that is known for its delicious submarine sandwiches. Subway began in August 1965 when a 17-year-old guy named Fred DeLuca asked Dr. Peter Buck, a family friend, about how he could pay his tuition fees.
With just $1,000 as an initial investment, the two came up with the idea to open a customizable sandwich shop in partnership under the name “Pete’s Super Submarines.”
In 1966, the duo expanded their business, opened a second outlet, and changed the name of their restaurant to “Subway.”
And that is how Subway was born, a name that has changed the whole landscape of the quick service restaurant industry.
Subway, thanks to its unique taste and business model, expanded to 16 owned-and-operated outlets in no time. Shortly, in 1974, they opened their first Subway franchised location.
How Many Subways Are There In The World?
Subway has grown to become one of the most popular and world’s largest restaurant brands, thanks to its signature and customizable sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
As per Subway’s website, today, there are more than 37,000 Subway restaurants across 100 countries. This large network of Subway restaurants is owned and operated by 20,000 dedicated small business owners and entrepreneurs and is continuing to grow each day.
How Many Subways Are There In The United States?
As of November 2023, there are approximately 21,068 Subway outlets in the United States, with the majority of stores in California.
Number of Subway Outlets in the World
| Rank | Country | Total Number of Subway Outlets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 21,068 |
| 2 | Canada | 2,947 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 2,202 |
| 4 | Brazil | 1,624 |
| 5 | Australia | 1,223 |
| 6 | Mexico | 777 |
| 7 | Germany | 649 |
| 8 | India | 621 |
| 9 | China | 413 |
| 10 | Russia | 450 |
| 11 | France | 385 |
| 12 | South Korea | 484 |
| 13 | Malaysia | 270 |
| 14 | NewZealand | 244 |
| 15 | Colombia | 239 |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | 206 |
| 17 | Japan | 190 |
| 18 | Netherlands | 190 |
| 19 | Finland | 186 |
| 20 | Chile | 182 |
| 21 | Poland | 174 |
| 22 | Sweden | 164 |
| 23 | Ireland | 138 |
| 24 | Thailand | 125 |
| 25 | Singapore | 124 |
| 26 | UAE | 122 |
| 27 | Taiwan | 120 |
| 28 | Pakistan | 99 |
| 29 | El Salvador | 84 |
| 30 | Turkey | 76 |
| 31 | Panama | 70 |
| 32 | Guatemala | 69 |
| 33 | Argentina | 66 |
| 34 | Costa Rica | 65 |
| 35 | Switzerland | 55 |
| 36 | Spain | 53 |
Cities That Have the Most Number of Subway Stores in the United States
Here’s a list of cities in the United States that have the most number of Subway Stores:
| City | State / Territory | Number of Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Texas | 211 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 184 |
| San Antonio | Texas | 114 |
| Miami | Florida | 114 |
| Los Angeles | California | 110 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | 90 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | 71 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 70 |
| Dallas | Texas | 68 |
| San Diego | California | 65 |
Territories and States without any Subway stores
The only two state and territory that does not have any Subway stores are:
- American Samoa
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Surprising Facts About Subway
- Every minute, Subway serves 5,300 sandwiches, which is around 320,000 sandwiches each hour.
- You can customize your Subway sandwich in 38 million ways.
- Back when Subway was started, a sandwich used to cost $0.49 on average.
- Every day, Subway uses 16 acres of lettuce.
- Subay was started by a 17-year-old boy.
- All the Subway franchises have the same smell.
- Subway has more outlets than McDonald’s.
- If it rains in Los Angeles, you can grab a free sandwich from Subway.
How Does Subway’s Locations Compare to Other Fast Food Chains?
Subway is the largest fast-food chain, with more than 37,000 restaurants in the world, followed by McDonald’s, KFC, and other brands.
However, you must note that this is the current position of these brands, and their dynamics might change depending on the changing consumer preferences and revenue figures, among other factors.
Is the Number of Subway Chains Decreasing or Increasing in the Recent Years?
Subway has witnessed a lot of fluctuations over the years. It saw massive growth in the past, but currently, the growth of Subway has somewhat stabilized.
What Are The Regions Where Subway Has a Widespread Presence?
Subway has a massive presence across various regions. North America, Asia, and Europe particularly have the most number of Subway outlets in the world.
However, you must note that the brand’s popularity can change depending on the country’s local market dynamic shifts.
Wrap Up
Subway is one the biggest restaurant chains in the world today, surpassing even McDonald’s and KFC.
Subway has been able to reach this position because of its wide and customizable lip-smacking menu and because of the consistency it has been offering in its taste.
We hope you found this article on “How Many Subways Are There In The World?” useful.
FAQs
Why is Subway so popular?
Subway gained massive popularity because of its fresh and customizable submarine sandwiches and live preparation.
Is Subway a bigger chain than McDonald's?
Yes, Subway is officially the largest fast-food chain in the world. Subway has more than 37,000 restaurants in the world, whereas McDonald’s has approximately 32,737 locations worldwide.
Which is the richest Fast Food Brand?
McDonald’s is the richest fast food brand, with an estimated brand value of over 196.5 billion U.S. dollars.