My Biggest Complaint About Subway Sandwiches

The Subway Sandwich franchise could learn a lot from other sandwich chains like Jimmy John’s, Quiznos, Zero’s, Sub Station, practically everybody.

Subway sandwiches are a rip off. After eating one, I’m still hungry. And it’s not because I’m a pig, it’s because Subway skimps on everything they put on their sandwiches. I swear Subway trains their “sandwich artists” on exactly how many veggies to put on them. On an average foot-long sub, they put about 6 olive pieces, a few strands of lettuce, a couple of bits of onions, and a tomato here and there. Honestly, how much does lettuces cost? The employees count the pickles as if they are quarters and they are coming out of their paychecks. They put about 3 strings of green peppers on a large sub.

And the cheese….there is no other sandwich or fast food chain that puts less cheese on their foot long hoagies. Subway puts exactly 4 small 1/4 pieces of paper thin cheese on a foot-long sub. It’s not even equivalent to one piece of normal cheese when put side by side. How can a “veggies and cheese” foot-long have one piece of cheese on it?

The whole Subway marketing campaign, where Subway preaches about how you can lose weight by eating at Subway, is a farce. You’re not going to lose weight because Subway’s food is more nutritious- if it was more nutrition it would be LOADED with vegetables. No, you are going to lose weight because they have smaller subs than the other places. Jared, who probably made millions on those Subway commercials, lost weight because of Subway’s “portion control” (and the huge monetary incentive he had to do it). Subway has figured out that they can sell EVERYBODY (not just the people who want to lose weight) smaller subs than the competition and if they market it the right way people will associate their sandwiches as being healthier than the competition.

If you want to lose weight, try eating less food and exercising more, not by paying Subway more money to give you less food.

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135 Comments

Yes! A thousand times - Yes!

Subway is a ripoff. You said it, I live it.

I stopped in a Subway with Mrs. Bacca and the little Bacca’s to get a quick lunch and wound up spending 27.00 on lunch for a family of four. I could have gone across the parking lot and had fun at BK for half the price and a playzone. Sure, I would be consuming twice as much fat as Subway but the kids are young, they can handle it. Hell, burn it off in the playzone.

chewie on January 7th, 2008 at 11:34 am | Link
Yes, a billion times over.

Have you ever seen them working in the back of a subway. they wiegh out everything to the microscopic miligram. They even pull the peices of chicken apart to make the correct wieght.

Hell they are even so skimpy they dole out the napkins as if they are made of gold. Have you ever spilt something at a subway and had to ask for extra napkins? Its like goint to the gates of fort knox and asking for a gold brick.

One time after buying a sandwich for my wife and myself I went out to the car to get a soda since they didn’t sell my flavor in the cheap a$$ subway. They promptly asked me to leave….. I havn’t been back!!!!

yep one of the worst examples of a business plan I can think of but how do they succeed????

mark on January 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pm | Link
Ok I have 2 stores in tampa Florida and guys I know what you’re saying….THERE IS in fact a formula that ALL SUBWAYS are to foollow for meats and veggies….HOWEVER we are told by corporate that these are ony guidelines (the veggie formulae) - the meats are set unless u get double meat - BUT the CUSTOMER gets the final say on how much veggies go on the sub. Think about it…instead of complaining on here how about if the next time youre @ SUBWAY when the guy has not placed a satisfactory amount of toppings on your sandwich….you say “Can I have more ________ on there ?” YOU DON’T even have to pay more for however much be veggies you want…..I MAKE SANDWICHES every day and I have many people who ask for extra olives etc . It is never and SHOULD NEVER be an issue….trust me at the prices I have I DEFINITELY make money even if it’s loaded with veggies! As for the comment above about WEIGHING the meats (chicken/steak etc) that goes on sandwiches….WHAT DO YOU THINK other chains are doing???? THEY DO THE EXACT SAME THING! McDonald’s,Blimpie’s,QUIZNOS,they all portion their meat. Anybody who is in the restaurant business will agree with me that there HAS TO BE portion control in place to control food costs so the prices of the sandwiches don’t get too high out of hand….also so that ONE SUBWAY FRANCHISE does not have a competitive advantage over another as far as customers thinking they’re getting MORE FOR THEIR MONEY.

So I hope this clarifies things a little on here

Amin on January 28th, 2008 at 10:50 pm | Link
Nah not really, subway is just cheap a$$.I mean why dole out the napkins, just to piss off your customers? And I have never seen any other restaurant with a scale set up to weight bits of chicken. yes protion control, like 3 pieces not 3.68454394Grams. And believe me I have been in a lot of restaurants. Now don’t get me wrong I realize the retail food bus is very hard and thankless job. You get it from all sies when everything is not just perfect and never really get the praise when you do ok. It does not however take an expert to see what cheap a$$ practices subway implements. And if the veggies are free why not post a sign to such? Why you ask? Well don’t you know? I mean what are we talking about here? Yeah subway being cheapa$$! Yes that’s it and that’s why they don’t post the sign saying extra veggies no extra charge so people will not know and people will not ask for extra veggies, save 3 napkins and 3 olive slices = 4 cents savings…. times how many million served = how many 40 thousands of dollars saved? Don’t think we don’t understand the economics here. It really is all about the bottom line and as long as poor business practices can be overcome by some other facet such as the alleged good nutrition of the subway sandwich which subway sandwiches certainly are not.

mark on January 29th, 2008 at 2:28 pm | Link
I SO AGREE with everyone. I don’t eat out much, but remembered recently how great a Subway sub used to taste, so went to get one. Well, knock me over, but the sandwiches today are NOT what they were a few years ago. I remember, as a teen, going into Subway and getting a sub that was so packed with filling that you couldn’t even keep it in the sandwich, it would just be falling out everywhere. Tons of meat, cheese and vegetables. And for way cheaper, too! The sandwich I recently had was laughable. As someone already mentioned, there was barely any cheese or meat at all, and as for vegies- HA! The bread actually sunk in when you grabbed the sandwich because there was NOTHING INSIDE. Okay, so not wanting to be too judgemental, I thought, hey, maybe it was just a fluke. A new worker or something. Tried it again today- same or worse. So that is it for me with Subway. I have heard pretty good things about Quizno’s, so from now on, I’ll give them my business.

Joni on February 11th, 2008 at 7:35 pm | Link
wow you guys are a bunch of complainers with no life. i work at subway and we do follow formulas because it is a standard. if you guys want subway to give out more veggies, all the chains across the world will have to give out more veggies. if you are complaining about gettin 6 olives, maybe you should just ask nicely for EXTRA olvies for free, they will double it for you. So maybe you should stop complaning

J.R on February 20th, 2008 at 9:50 pm | Link
Do you know how much money your franchise owner is making off your counting the olives? Maybe you should think about just why you are working at subway before suggesting others have no life!!!

And Ye know why I don’t ask for extra olives at subway its cuz I don’t eat at subway cuz I have to beg for napkins to wipe the slop of my face oh yeah but I forgot they wont put enough of it on your sandwich for you to get it on your face!!!! Hence no need for napkins now is there?

mark on February 25th, 2008 at 7:50 pm | Link
Oh yeah and JR did yo by chance stop to look at the title of this forum? It Called my biggest complaint. Of course your going to find complainers on here.

mark on February 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm | Link
Subway like all other restaurants have portion control. Just ask for more veggies, they don’t cost extra. If you want more meat, just say double meat and pay it. It’s still comes out cheaper than quiznos.

Napkins are made of natural resources, and should be conserved to be environmentally friendly and aware. Yes, the franchisee will make more money if you use less napkins. This is not a non-profit business, these franchisees have put in their own money, commitment and time. They deserve to make money off you. Most people tend to waste if you put all you can eat or all you can use. You can always ask for more or just get over it.

Subway on April 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am | Link
Has anyone noticed that their meat has no taste. I just ate there today, and I got a BMT. I pulled a piece of salami off the sandwich to eat it separately, and it tasted like nothing. It had zero flavor. I doubt the sandwich would have tasted much different if all I got were the bread, veges, and oil/vinegar with no meat.

The napkin comment above made me laugh. I didn’t realize until now that they don’t have any napkin dispensers. They give you 2 napkins in the sandwich bag. You guys are right about measuring everything to the milligram. I suggest trying Firehouse subs. Their meat is tasty and they put a lot of meat on their sandwiches. They have napkin dispensers, cut lemons for iced tea, and other things that make them seem less stingy.

Ralph on April 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am | Link
@subway if you truly are a rep of subway then wow suck to be you hey? Not by any means saying you have no right to make money from your customers I’m just saying if you don’t start treating your customers as the reason your I’m business then you will no longer have customers and will no longer have a privilege to dole out the napkins. So you say your doing this for the environment well quit serving beef if thats your goal after all they are the #1 contributor to global warming so say some.

Ok as for asking for more I once spilled my soda in a subway and proceeded to the checkout to ask for napkins to clean up and was greeted with a very rude your napkins are in your bag! The clerk literally had to pull the cork out of her ass to release a few extra napkins.

So my comment to you Mr. subway (who by the way continues on here to show the rude pompous attitude your chain displays). Let us have our napkins and extra olives or go out of business. (you have already lost mine!!!!)

mark on April 13th, 2008 at 7:12 pm | Link
i am a subway employee. yes, we weigh everything out. it’s subway policy to follow the formula. “how much does lettuce cost? how much does a more olives cost? etc, etc” with as many sandwiches that are made, if each person has lots of extras, food cost sky-rockets. many workers’ jobs hang on the line if they do not follow protocol. so stop complaining about the workers and how much they are putting on your sanwiches. complain to corprate. every restaurant weighs their food, you just don’t usually see it.

alicia on April 18th, 2008 at 1:22 am | Link
My complaint was not about Subway workers. The Subway employees that have chimed in here all have supported my original post.

Of course all restaurants weigh food, and of course putting more on decreases profit margins. Subway trains their sandwich artists according to what corporate wants. My complaint was about the quantity of food that Subway provides and how they market it so that it seems like not getting enough food on the normal sandwich is a benefit to the consumer. Subway has made a choice about their business model and I was pointing out how this affects the consumer.

I have no beef with Subway employees. My recommendation is to chose another sandwich provider if you want real nutrition and real value for you money.

professor on April 18th, 2008 at 6:06 am | Link
Sorry Subway–my nephew was an “artist”….

Other restaurants may measure, too, but no one skimps on sandwiches like Subway. I refuse to go there anymore. All you get is bread.

Is it true that they’re refusing to let elementary-aged Homeschoolers enter a writing contest? How lame is that?

Wibbing on May 27th, 2008 at 8:37 am | Link
Although I can’t argue on the cheese, I do have to speak up for my place of employment.

In case you intelligent folk haven’t noticed, you can pile on the veggies as much as you like. We ARE trained on how many to start with, but if you ask for more we’ll keep piling them on until you say to stop. We’ve had people put entire containers of pickles on their subs, and they’re more than allowed. Although I do agree that stuff like cheese and bacon could be piled more (without the extra cost), those ingredients are costly to the franchise. And look at a Subway Club… there’s 18 pieces of meat on a footlong! And that’s just in Canada, I hear the states have higher portions.

I get what you’re saying for sure, and can’t argue that they could be healthier in their portions. But if your subs are really that “skimpy” it’s really not entirely Subway to blame. If you want the extra pickle, all you have to do is ask…

Katie on May 31st, 2008 at 10:23 am | Link
Katie,

Its not the portion size so much as it is the general attitude of the shop that bothers me. I think the subway business model is one which drives people away and they will ultimately suffer their demise as a result.

mark on June 2nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm | Link
SUBWAY SANDWICHES ARE A TOTAL JOKE.Have you ever seen one that looks like the comercials? NOT.No meat at all.My buisness goes to a local family run buisness where one sub can feed two people there is so much meat in them and they apprieciate the buisness.Ive been going there for 10 years.When will the american people realize big chain store no matter what type are a total rip off!!!They give you nothing and we pay a ton

RAY on June 7th, 2008 at 11:05 am | Link
I have to agree, a couple tiny triangles of cheese is not enought for a 6-inch sandwich. I didn’t know I could ask for more.

If you REALLY want to go to a great sandwich shop. A relative of mine owns GENEROUS JOE’S in Greenbelt, Maryland (near Washington, D.C.) It is a family run business - Dad’s name is Joe and son’s name is Joe. They are Italians and Italians like to EAT. Hence the name Generous Joe’s. The restaurant is not much to look at (it needs a major renovation) however, when it comes to good, large sandwiches and TONS of good food - they are very good!!! My favorite is the steak and cheese sandwhich - melts in my mouth!

My Two Cents on June 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm | Link
“I swear Subway trains their “sandwich artists” on exactly how many veggies to put on them.”

That is correct. I currently work at Subway and we are trained to put a certain amount of vegetables on a sandwich unless directed otherwise by the customer. Sometimes I can barely tell if two slices of cheese are stuck together because of how thin the slices are.. If a customer says something about the amount I’ll throw on extra cheese/meat at no charge.. the manager frequently gets upset that I’m throwing on an extra piece of ham on the club.. (Two slices of roast beef that are even thinner than the cheese, two slices of turkey, and one piece of ham) just doesn’t seem right. Subways alter the amounts from store to store, though..

I get a free 6 inch sub at the end of my shift, but rarely take it. Why? I see how the food is prepared. Enough said.

Also, the new double stacker peppered crusted turkey is also a rip off. It’s the regular turkey you would normally be served except the edges are rolled in a peppered spice. You get charged the full amount whether you want the 6 pieces or not. It’s not pepper crusted, it’s pepper rolled. Watch the bread as well.. I’m always pulling out a piece of bread that has a little mold or questionable specs. I would not recommend eating at Subway. Though I’m only 17, I’m not oblivious to the way they’re running the store..

If you want convicts making your sandwich, Subway is the place to go!

Avada on June 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm | Link
I have worked at Subway for three years, and I have heard people complain about the lack of vegetables for…three years. But most people (the ones with common sense) politely (or sometimes impolitely) ask for more veggies. And guess what! We don’t charge for extra veggies. If you don’t like veggies on your sandwich, it’s not a good deal, but if you do, I highly recommend Subway. The store I work at is much cleaner than what seems to be described in the above post…We don’t serve moldy bread or anything. And we are trained to put a certain about of veggies on a sandwich (three of everything on a six inch, doubled on a footlong). But you can always ask for more! Yay for being assertive!

Sandwich Artist on June 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm | Link
The corporation is the one making the $$$$ not the franchise owner. The mom and pop stores can give you more because they dont have to pay for expensive advertising. If you want something better and cheaper, pack your lunch. I am a little ticked because they wouldnt take my last card that I put all those stamps on.

Vickie on June 26th, 2008 at 8:13 am | Link
Vickie, im not sure what you are talking about its the copr not the franchise owner making the money? The franchise owner simply buys from the corp. The more stuff they put on the sandwich the more they have to buy and therefore the corp makes more money. Owell, subway sucks that all that can really be said and is the entire point of the post.

mark on June 26th, 2008 at 12:57 pm | Link
How fat are you!? A foot long sandwich and you’re still hungry! I’m an active 180 pound man, and a six inch plus a small carton of milk is plenty when I have subway for lunch.

Hobart on June 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm | Link
Hobart,

6′1″ 178lbs. I don’t really eat that much, either, which is a testament to how skimpy subway Sandwiches are. When I eat at any of the other restaurants I mentioned, I am stuffed.

professor on June 30th, 2008 at 6:17 am | Link
Mark,
I am saying as with any corporation that is franchised out, the corporation is making the lions share most of the money. I looked into buying into a Subway francise in the 1990’s. A mom and pop store doesnt have to buy the subway brand meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and specially marked salt packets, napkins, etc from the corporation. So, the mom and pop can get their inventory much cheaper and give you more to eat for the same price.

Everytime I go to subway I feel like I have been ripped off and don’t even get me started about their employees.

Vickie on June 30th, 2008 at 7:43 am | Link
@ vickie, Ok sorry i totally misunderstood your post. However I would question wheather franchise pdts are not cheaper than the typical sysco pdt as they produce and buy in great voumes. At least they would be cheaper to corp even further screwing the franchise owner.

mark on July 1st, 2008 at 2:09 pm | Link
I agree about the undesirables who work at Subway. I got a job there between semester breaks and was humiliated for the customers to see me in the line with those women. They didn’t care who heard them speak of their children being arrested or their husbands being on parole. One woman talked constantly about a coworker who was over weight. If I ever went into a business and heard that sort of vile filth I would leave. I worked one day and politely told them it wasn’t for me. I’m still waiting for my pay which they said was in the mail six weeks ago. Isn’t that illegal?

Chiming In on July 12th, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Link
I work at a Subway and totally agree except would have to say my store is much worse thanks to my boss. He is so cheap he rips people off. You think the meat portion is bad elsewhere, well he knocks off more weight than required by Subway. He also cuts back how many slices of meat you are supposed to get trying to pinch pennies. He won’t accept all coupons and only allows you to pick from a small list of subs when using coupons(i.e. the cheapest subs!). If you ask for extra veggies he gets pissed and without customers knowing he adds a $0.30 extra cheese charge to your bill to make up for his losses. He uses meats that are out of date, rotten veggies, and food that has fallen on the floor, all to avoid wasting money!

He totally disgusts me and should not own a business. However he is very clever and avoids being caught because he is the bggest liar I have ever met. He is also not even paying most of his employees minimum wage. As of 7/08 min. wage went up to $6.55 and he’s still paying some of them $6.15. Which I thought is illegal???

I would not recommend anyone to go to Subway it is a huge rip off. They charge way too much for nothing! They are obviously not a good company anyway because they let people like my boss run a franchise and screw people out of their hard earned cash!

Lynn on July 18th, 2008 at 9:13 pm | Link
subway (where the beef) ??? waste of money and time

helcope on August 15th, 2008 at 1:14 pm | Link
I agree that Subway is way to cheap with toppings for the money paid. Heres a good story: One time I went into a subway that had only been open a couple of weeks. The “sandwich artist” making a sandwich for the guy ahead of me realized he put an extra piece of meat on the sandwich so he actually picked it off and put it back in the meat bin for the next sandwich! That really spoiled me on the subway experience. I quit going there to eat. The staff is either scurvy or gangster with their asscracks hanging out. One sandwich artist was making a sandwich and actually yelled at her kids while they stood in line fighting. They do very nicely put extra veggies on their sandwich if you ask them. I always ask for extra pickles and they are generous when asking for extra. But the staff is horribly nasty, there is never a clean table,and I would feed a family of four for the cost of one of their skimpy sandwiches so now I give my money to Jimmy John’s. If you want a good sandwich and napkins that flow freely go to Jimmy John’s!

new-wife on August 19th, 2008 at 9:21 am | Link
Im 14 years old and my favourite place WAS subway. Now that i’ve grown up into a young lady i need more food to fufill my hunger.
Im not one to eat alot, im like 7 stone. But whenever i go into a Subway store i just get like 2 strips of bacon and some cheese. When i eat subway all i can taste is the bread as its got so little inside.
And, some people saying they work from subway say you just have to ask for a bit more and they’ll give it to you. Well… I asked for some more in a polite manor, and what do they do? They start screaming at me, eventually they gave me two bits of extra cheese and charged me £1!!!! Long gone those days i eat from subway!

Danni on August 26th, 2008 at 10:58 am | Link
Hi all.
im from australia. and yes the same as every other country we weigh the portions. yet no one that has ever complained about our portions, and we done need signs to say we can ask for more. and in regards to tem not looking the same as the ads, i have never had a perfect big mac! get over it or dont eat it. i had a subway diet and exercised and i lost 11kg in 2 weeks. you guys are more pathetic and ridiculous then what your complaining about!

Stuffie on September 1st, 2008 at 4:43 am | Link
yeah they do train their employees to do that I work @ a subway and their stuff is expensive and plus they already add up the calories on each sandwich do you really think you would lose weight if you’re piling on so much stuff ? but thats besides the fact my complaint is that subway over works their employees and they are under payed with no breaks half of the time you can’t even fit in time to eat cuz so many customers come in and I’m 7months pregnant!!!!!!!

Cierra on September 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am | Link
Hello! I actually am a manager of a Subway Store in Washington State. I agree with some of the things you say. But I can tell you for a fact, our Subway is one of the best in Vancouver. We have regular customers from 3 years ago still coming in. And I just had a guy yesterday come in and say he will never go to another Subway again. So I think we’re doing something right. Yeah Subway Corporate inspects every Subway store ATLEAST once a month. So when there is a Subway inspector there, you HAVE to do all the formulas right, or you will get marked down. You have to say “HI WELCOME TO SUBWAY” every time a customer walks in! And we can’t wrap the sandwich in the white deli papers; have to ask if people want “The Works” on their sandwich. Ahh the things Subway Corporation does. I can’t lie though, when we train people, we tell him to try to stick to the formula which is 6 of each veggie on the footlong and 3 of each of a 6″. But If I got 3 pickles or 3 olives on a 6′ I would **** a brick! But I know for a fact, our Subway is not like it. Our food cast is a little high because of it..but it brings the customers back and it makes them happy, and that is the mission of the day (At least at my store). Always make the customer happy. We always try to start with the Subway Formula..but of course people always ask for more…so we give it to them. I don’t see nothing wrong in that. And another thing, as a customer. you don’t even pay for veggies. That is NOT included in the price of your sandwich. so you can tell all those other Subways to screw off lol. And I read about your comments about losing weight from Subway. We have over 8 different sandwiches that are 6 grams of fat or less. so that is how people lose weight. And what makes those subs 6 grams of fat or less is the bread (Wheat or Honey Oat) the meat (which has a menu board that has them listed), no cheese, no olives, no mayo, or no olive oil. So that is how you lose weight from Subway Sandwiches! I know people who eat 3 meals of Subway a day and lose weight. You have to eat the healthier sandwiches by those guidelines! But I know what you’re talking about. I am not really a sandwich eater..I like making mine at home. But when I do go to other Subway Stores..it feels like I am standing in line forever even though there is only 2 people in front of me and I am just looking and watching the employees and they don’t wash their hands half the time, and they seriously do count of the veggies. I NEVER have once done that, and I have worked at Subway for over 3 years now. It is just crazy how so many Subway shops are different. .Anyway..haha I am done! Have a nice day!

Lynnsey on September 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm | Link
You idiots the weight on meats have to be around 2.5oz(chicken) 4 oz(steak), you dont want less do you, no? And do we want to lose money by giving more. 4oz is a guidline we approximate on it, not weigh it out to the miligram. Stop ****ing complaining about BS like this, and pay more attention than sitting on your couch and watching FOX for an hour, and calling it the ‘NEWS’

subway on October 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm | Link
I work at a Subway store and I think it is very dishonest to say that the store that I work at is not ridiculously chintsy.

True enough, customers are allowed to have as much veggies as they like on a sub. But I have noticed more than a few things about Subway that should convince everyone of its ridiculously chintsy attitude. For one thing, the ham slices are much thinner than they were a year ago (probably about half as thick). So are the white processed cheddar cheese slices, not too surprisingly, since the processed white cheddar is the cheese that we employees are trained to grab before the customer notices and requests either the natural cheddar, the swiss, or the grated cheese.

Also, you can’t imagine how frustrating it is for me to attempt separating those almost paper-thin slices and placing them on a sandwich. I am probably taking twice as long to take them apart as I used to when they were thcker. I am sure that whatever Subway is making on the thinner slices is being lost in labour.

Do the people at headquarters have a brain cell in their heads? I wonder!

Also, it would seem as if Subway headquarters, with regards to its prescribed methods for operating a store, are the methods of some of the most wasteful & inefficient minds on earth. One of many cases in point: McDonald’s keeps its sauces in disposable containers and this alone eliminates the time it takes to do what Subway’s method of sauce containment demands (i.e., cut a bag of sauce open, unscrew the lid of the emptied sauce container, pour some of the bag’s sauce into that container, screw the lid back on, find a container for the remaing sauce in the bag, put the bag in that container, seal that container with seran wrap, find a lid for that container, and take that container to the walk-in fridge to be stored for next use). But Subway still manages to make money.

Another case in point, the store that I work in puts one person on the closing shift alone. That person is responsible for doing all of the following and more and doing a good job everyday and not getting paid for any work done beyond the time that person was scheduled to work for on that day:

serving the customers whenever they come in and being nice to them, no matter how rude and mean they might be;

giving only two napkins per footlong or 1 per six-inch sub, providing them with paper towels only if they as for more;

telling customers that they can’t bring outside food into the store;

dealing with drug pushers and hoodlums and drunks, etc.;

calling cabs for people and deciding whether or not to let them use the store phone;

making quick wise judgements when people say or do things that can take the employee by surprise;

keeping an eye on everything at the same time to make sure no one steals cookies, chips or pop (items that are all within the customer’s easy reach);

panning the bread;

proofing the bread;

baking the bread;

baking the cookies;

restocking the bread and cookie cabinet and display;

restocking the huge drink fridge & chip rack;

slicing the different vegetables, putting them in bins and covering them with seran wrap and a lid;

measuring the meat in grams (to the exact gram);

sweeping the entire floor (including the hallway and both restrooms) with a ridiculously tiny broom

scrubbing the entire floor, including the washrooms, especially the grout in between the tiles with a long-handled scrub brush (built with bristles that are too ridiculously stiff to make any noticeable difference on the largest surface, which is obviously smoother than the grout);

mopping the entire floor;

srubbing the toilets and sinks in both washrooms;

wiping all used equipment;

washing all dishes by hand;

counting every loaf of bread,every wrap, every salad bowl, every Subway card that is still in use, and counting the cash and putting all the figures in the computer;

cleaning out the entire cold-table display, the sneeze guard, etc.

In other words, Subway has made sure that every twenty-first century employee works as hard as or harder than everyone who had the privilege of working in a restaurant 5,000 years ago.

Dawn on October 6th, 2008 at 2:44 pm | Link
you should complain they can’t make you work more hours than scheduled and not pay you for it. They can not only get in trouble but you can get your money they owe you and probably more as damages.

mark on October 6th, 2008 at 5:16 pm | Link
I can never get all the work done on my shift, without staying past my shift, unless I make fewer than10 sandwiches per hour. But the manager and everyone else tells me that I should be able to do it. I can’t do it, no matter how hard I try and no matter how fast I go, even though I never sit down or take breaks. They tell me that they all sit down and take breaks and still get everything done, although I am never with them, especially throughout their entire shifts, to see what they do or do not do to prove it to myself.

I have seen things online that confirm my suspicion that human multitasking is actually self defeating or counterproductive. If multitasking is what Subway work is all about, then I guess I need to develop my multitasking skills if I am going to be any good at it. If it’s all about time management, then I need to develop my time management skills to get all the work done on time and still make 10 to 60 subs an hour.

Dawn on October 7th, 2008 at 10:50 am | Link
I worked at a subway for 2 years and all of the comments on here about them being cheap are very true. I up until today liked subway but am not getting too frustrated with the way they treat their customers. Here is a letter I sent to their corporate about the problem. If you would like to change the way subway does business copy my letter change the minor details and send it via their online customer service page.

I have been a loyal customer of your store for many years.’ I enjoy the sandwiches that subway makes and have tried over a dozen locations in Rhode Island. The price is the lowest of all the sandwich shops and the quality and customer service is usually good.
I understand that locations that deal with a high volume of people are usually less customer oriented and attempt to keep the line moving. Unfortunately this location is one of the most unprofessional and disrespectful places I have ever had lunch. I have eaten here before and it seems that the location gets worst every time I go. Some of the most common deviation from the rules I have notices are the lack of a full uniform, rarely do the employees wear a hat or apron or pants instead of shorts. I have personally seen an employee wear their gloves, push down the trash, then come to the counter and use the same gloves to handle a person’s sandwich. The employees are very impatient and rude; they never smile or say may I help you. At one point I was the only one in line and I had the employee shout “NEXT PERSON!!!” before looking up and seeing that I was the only one there. The worst part of the whole process is that no one on the staff knows how to make a neat sandwich with the correct portions and heat it properly. The majority of the time the sandwich will be falling apart before I even eat it, there will be 4 tomatoes on one half and none on the other, the sauce is always dripping, due to the unnecessary amount that they put on there. Over all there is nothing good about this location. Granted it is set on a college campus, it does not give the location the right to behave in this manner.
I would like to continue to eat at this location and subway in general, but things need to change first. I have much expertise in this matter since I not only have been eating subway for over eight years I also worked at one for two. Please take this matter seriously I speak for the whole Bryant community in saying that this location needs to adjust the way it does business. I am confident that this matter will be looked in to further and the problems mentions will be professionally dealt with. Thank you for your time and hope to see changes in the near future.

andre malyuta on October 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm | Link
I just went to subway for lunch and came back here to look up info on google to see if anyone else had the same problems as I do.

Did you know they are limited to three thin slices of meat on a 6 inch sub? WOW! Three thin slices, or you have to pay extra. Since I do not get lettuce (the miracle sandwhich filler) my sandwhich looks like it was ran over by a truck and all I taste is bread. Yuck. I will never eat there again. =(

Kelli on October 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm | Link
just to add to the above. I did get 6 napkins. =) Maybe I should have put them in my sandwhich to make it bigger?

Kelli on October 8th, 2008 at 3:24 pm | Link
i work at subway and its called FOOD COST there is a STANDARD amount of veggies meet and cheese we put on a sandwhich… if you want more than standard veggies its called asking…. and if you worked there you would probably know why they only put three slices of meat on a sandwich… because subway is trying to have less fat on their sandwiches. The more meet and cheese the more fat in the sandwich.

art on October 9th, 2008 at 10:03 pm | Link
Art - if you want more, its called “paying” not asking. And last time I checked, bread was just as fattening as meat. And next time, you post on a public web site, use spellcheck.

Kelli on October 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am | Link
Hmm I’m in Australia and there’s always heaps of salad and enough meat on the subs I get, and I asked for extra napkins once and no trouble at all! And subs are pretty cheap, heaps cheaper than the McDonalds ones. Anyway that’s all =)

Kimmi on October 13th, 2008 at 8:35 pm | Link
I aint complaining about the quality or quantity of food at my local Subway cos it was lovely, its just a shame that the staffs attitude had to let it down. I visited on three occassions and it seems that they just dont want to be there so why not just try to find another job rather than being rude to your customers. On a more positive note I found a nice friendly sandwich bar nearby which is just as good but with a friendly atmosphere.

Mich on October 16th, 2008 at 5:37 pm | Link
I had bought a party sub for my daughter Birthday. I Did’nt want the veggies on the sub I wanted them on the side.Subway told me all I Can get is to sides you should of seen the dinky bowls they were going to give me. It was a joke. So that gave me no choice i had to buy a veggie platter. I think thats a bunch of crap if you ask me . So never go to Subway in holly michigan

Caren on October 22nd, 2008 at 5:50 am | Link
Wow is,nt everyone in this world trying to make a buck. the reason you get less at the way is the food they order is more than what the other places so they can give more crap meat for the same price. so if you like dog food on a bun go eat at there stores.

Steve on October 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 am | Link
I went to Subway for lunch today, ready to eat a
” Feast” but instead of having it on a 6 inch sub i wanted mine on a wrap….The woman taking my order refused to make me a “Feast” on a wrap…Her argument there is too much meat,….too much meat… I was furious and told her that a few days ago I ate at this particular store and had a “Feast” on a wrap…she looked disturbed and almost accused me of lying….In my defense the guy that made my wrap was there today…when she asked him if he had he didn’t even answer…. What’s the big deal I want a
” Feast ” on a wrap….it’s not Brain surgery! VERY BAD SERVICE

Stephanie on October 24th, 2008 at 3:41 pm | Link
well, sorry for you americans
theres loads of subways in london
they pile the bacon , lettuce and cheese like more tomorrow
they just get a handful and sprinkle it all on
Infact,they ask you for the number of olives, jalpenos etc you want

but, everything in london maybe expensive in america

half of a foot sub is £2.70 about 5.50dollars

eliane p on October 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm | Link
I work at a subway restaurant in morden, manitoba, canada. and i must say its the ****tiest place to work ever! i usually have to work completely on my own for about three hours. last time, i was also making bread cause we were almost out. it got really busy with customers and i only got a ten minute break spread over forty five minutes for a six hour shift. about an hour and a half after i got off work, my boss called me bitching about how i didn’t get everything done. and told me she was taking time off what i worked because of it. she can’t do that. its illegal. and there should never be only one person working either. what if the employee got injured or something? nobody there to help. and they just have to take my word for it that it was really busy and it just wasn’t possible to do bread, customers, veggie prep, AND dishes in that time. bread and customers are obviously first priority. also, you have absolutely no change of a raise unless you become an assistant manager or manager. also, im the only person at my subway location who doesn’t smoke. so everybody else will go out for ten minute smoke breaks and end up with a half hour break altogether withing three hours whereas i get ten minutes within six hours. needless to say, im looking for a new job. id even go back to one of my past employers cause ANYTHING would be better than subway. also, im out of school and can work days, and i end up with 2-4 shifts a week, all of them at the most six hours but usually only two or three hours. DON’T EVER WORK AT SUBWAY!!!!

Aly Marie on November 20th, 2008 at 6:39 pm | Link
to all the people who agree with this blogg no subway is not cheap one bit. they use this formula so people are limited to how much fat they are taking in and how many calories they are eating. they go by a formula that the corps. set and its for a good cause. if youd rather go to bk and eat for half the price but quadruple the fat be my guest it just means you get to die faster than everyone else

seriously for all the fat asses out there putting down subway for being skimpy on the meats cheese and veggies should really get a life. where else can you get a fresh healthy sub for about 5 bucks?

i hope all the fatass people who put down subway die slowly as their fat ass bodies keeps them from moving.

dont worry about it on November 23rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm | Link
Its not only the fat asses its us skinny ones too. Subway just has a very bad business model and thats really what we are talking about. How many people died from using and extra napkin or even god forbid wasted one!

mark on November 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm | Link
While most of the criticism is correct, the thing that the critics miss, is that their desire to have a loaded sub while paying very little is rather irreconciliable. You want a cheap sandwich, you can’t expect loads of meat and cheese.

My friend owns 5 Subways and he does not participate in the $5 footlong or other low price programs. What he does do is charge a buck or two more than other Subways do, but put in more meat and cheese than the corp formulas. And guess what, his Subways (all in one county in S. Georgia) are doing great business, with a lot of repeat business from locals who like the service and the sandwiches.

The other thing that people need to realize is that EVERYTHING has a cost. Even one measly napkin has a cost that must be paid. People in the US have just become so spoiled rotten with freebies thrown in by restaurants that they think everything is free or should be.

The fact is, its not possible to build a sandwich like they show in the ads and not charge $10 or more. At which point you idiots would be complaining “what a rip off , $10 for a six inch sub?” !!!

Nobahdy on December 9th, 2008 at 5:43 pm | Link
I went to a Subway 16 years ago and tried to get an Italian Sub. All I got was a lettuce sandwich with the two slices of meat and cheese so bloody thin that they are borderline nanotech thin. I never went to a Subway since. Seems the song remains the same or is even worse.

It’s hard to have 6 grams of fat where there’s only 6 grams of meat and fat total! The franchisees are getting screwed because the stores are nearly as ubiquitous as ATMs. If you want VALUE for your money go to a ma and pop sub sandwich place - which are rare.

Anonymous on December 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm | Link
MY INPUTTTTTTT.
subway’s formula has limits. if you want extra you have to pay for it. you can get fired for putting too much on thte sandwich. food is expensive these days. especially the tuna! the napkins are expensive too. we don’t give you alot bc you shouldn’t be such a messy eater. and we measure the chicken out because if our weights are even 1 oz off, we get terminated. yall just don’t understand. ****ing dumbasses. calm the **** down. why are you complaining. go to walmart and make yr OWN SANDWICH. **** mannnn. we work our asses off to keep yalls food clean and sanitary. and WHOEVER THE **** SAID I ****ING SLOBBERED ON THEIR FOOD WHEN I MADE THEIR SANDWICH IS GETING AN ASS WHOOPEN. people these days. yr really ****ing cool, bc you sat right in front of me and ate yr sandwich. dumbassssss.

audra on February 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm | Link
Hey Audra,

My point exactly. Subway has thier formula and it shows dramaticly to thier customers! Their formula is one which is not conducive to good business practices. Ever hear the concept the customer is allways right? Well that goes a long ways to acutally keeping your cutomers. I have not been into a subway for well over a year now and it is becuse of that precious formula. The napkin thing really pisses me off. Hope you enjoy your job Audra!

mark on February 5th, 2009 at 3:17 pm | Link
k i went to subway yesterday
everyone tell me if this is wrong
i ordered a turkey bacon foot long
they put 4 slices on turkey on it barly covered the footlong
and when i said isnt there more that should be on there they acted like no and i was wrong when ive been there befor and im positive they put mroe then 4 on

kent charlton on February 12th, 2009 at 7:58 pm | Link
Hey Kent I think your right. I actually went to subay two days ago. I didn’t want to give em my business but had to go along with a coworker. I got a six inche with double meat. they put 6 peices on my 6″ which Is less than it used to be. it used to be more. so if they are putting 4 meats on a 12″ and I got 6 on a a 6″ double meat would mean 3 on a regular 6″. And they only distributed 1 napkin as well. They are not getting any better!

mark on February 13th, 2009 at 9:20 am | Link
Okay I had been working at a subway for the past 4 years… The turkey bacon sandwich formula is 6 pieces of turkey and 4 pieces of bacon… Yes you are being ripped off… Sorry But I know all the formulas have a question just ask…. Thanks corrina Banks

corrina Banks on February 17th, 2009 at 3:22 pm | Link
If Subway wants to sell cheap sandwiches, that is their right. I actually prefer to have someting more than bread and lettuce with my sandwich and that’s why I only eat at Quiznos. However, Subway is wrong to misrepresent their sandwiches in pictures and ads they use showing their sandwiches loaded with meat and cheese. This just makes them out to be dishonest in what they actually sell for “$5″. And for any Subway worker that has posted here in defense of their business…next time you make someone’s sub, turn around when you are done and look at the picture behind. Congratulations! You’ve ripped off another consumer.

Diane on February 22nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm | Link
I am not working at subway anymore… I know the the picture of the sandwich does look like more then it does when the finished product is done… I think that they do this so that you can actually see what is inside of the sandwich… When I worked there the owner always was wanting us to follow what the portion is.. On footlong sandwiches it is 6 items each… 6 tomatos 6 olives.. So when you ask for more we are to give you more.. But if you do not ask then you do not receive.. I like to make the sandwiches with more fixings also.. Most of mine you could hardly close.. I was trying to make the customer happy not the owner.. He always complained about his food cost.. I got tired of that also.. I did my best to please but my best just wasn’t good enough…. Sorry that you are ripped off but the pictures are deceiving.. Thanks again an x subway employee… Corrina Banks

corrina Banks on February 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm | Link
Quiznos is way better than Subway. Anyone with taste buds knows that. I’d rather pay a little more for my sub and actually enjoy it.

Chris on March 13th, 2009 at 5:07 pm | Link
Is there anyone who works at Subway who can verify for me how many slices of ham there is supposed to be on an Italian BMT… Seems like it was 3 a few years back then went down to two… Today I only received one slice of ham on my sandwich!

jenngga on March 31st, 2009 at 8:16 pm | Link
Re the above.. it was a six inch BMT. Thanks!

jenngga on March 31st, 2009 at 8:16 pm | Link
First of all, Have any of you people ever ran a subway. Or even been in management. I have and i do run a subway. It cost money to build a sandwicha and you have no idea how much. Dont even start complaining about it cause like she said you can ask for more veggies and not half to pay for it. Everytime someone asks for more veggies there goes money. FREE MONEY. Employees half to stick to the formulas because we cant run out of food for the week, we can go over budget, we only have so much food for a week. and so on. But including all, we as managers half to maintain a strict and thrivig store which means we cannot have a **** load of veggies for everyone. Yes you get you occasional costumer wh want extra oive or something like that but the more you put the more we should actually charge you for. Your lucky to get more veggies for free. Oh our cheese is the same thikness as regular cheese u get in a grocery store and you get two ful pices on your sub.Each piece is cut in half and seperated out on your sub. If your not full after eating a footlong sub then you are overweight… No arguement there. ask any of my customers that walk into m store. Its the 5 dollar footlong that subway came up with to please its customers that is honestly killing our food costs. And yes we do make more money with them but i tell u what i wount miss them when there gone thats for sure. So if you ever have anything negative o say about subway try being a manager at ANY store. Its all the same. Mc donalds, BK, Hardees, pizza joints. ect……… Stop being so stupid and greedy!

Krystle on April 2nd, 2009 at 7:35 pm | Link
Subway sandwiches have 4 pices of ham on the BMT

Krystle on April 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm | Link
Thanks Krystle. I knew it was more than one. I think the underlying complaint is that the ingredients get skimpier and skimpier but prices either go up or stay the same. I think when I pay 6 or 7 dollars for lunch, I deserve more than one slice of ham. I like the food and the people who wait on me are friendly. I eat there once or twice a week and will continue to but I will complain about the ham.

jenngga on April 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm | Link
I worked at a Subway store in New Zealand for a year.

You obviously need to have a standard amount of salads, meat, cheese etc that goes into a sandwich - if there wasn’t a standard, there would be no formula, no way to teach how to make sandwiches, or way of determining how much product you will need each week/month etc. It is silly to say that a company is stingy for having a standard amount of salad that goes on a sandwich.

I do agree on the napkins thing, and there probably need to be more olives in the standard.. YES the meat is very thin, it’s pretty stupid, and hard to peel apart if it’s sliced meat like ham - same applies to cheese. We don’t weigh all the meat products in NZ but they’re all aroundabout the same.

Hygiene was always good - bread fresh etc, so the comment up there about poor hygiene probably just applied to that store.

I wouldn’t say that NZ stores are stingy with the salads… as aforementioned in other posts, you can ask for extra anyway.

Mind you, sounds like USA Subways are alot worse - sandwiches here definitely aren’t as thin as they’ve been described.

Had an ABOMINABLE experience at a Subway I don’t usually visit today which is why I was googling this stuff in the first place… But it was more the service of the individual store than problems with Subway as a corporation.

Ella on April 14th, 2009 at 4:31 am | Link
Ive been eating at Subway every lunch for the past 3 years. I have noticed that different employees put different amount of topics and in my last visit the cheap a$$ women put 2 pieces of turkey breast on my sandwich….I’ve been getting 3 and sometimes 4 on 6 inch subs and 7 or 8 on12inch subs. This time when i got 2 pieces i got so angry that i wrote a complaint letter and waiting for response. By the way does anybody know what the policy is for a 12 inch and 6 inch sandwiches on how many pieces of meat should they put for cold sandwiches.

pavs on April 26th, 2009 at 4:02 pm | Link
3 on 6 inch, 6 on 12 inch. for most. ham gets 8 on 12 inch, 4 on 6inch, and then there are some other combos, but 2 is deff not enough.

andre on April 26th, 2009 at 7:42 pm | Link
Went to the local subway today for lunch today (Carson and Norse, Lakewood), the first time in probably a year, and it has changed. instead of getting plenty of veggies like in the past, the employee picked up veggies with their gloved fingers, handling them individually, and counting them as they were gingerly placed on the sandwich. My 6 inch got three olive slices and three pickles and was quickly wrapped up before I could speak up. The dude behind me had a foot long and got the equivalent of a single slice of onion, a single slice of green pepper, and six olive slices with about a half ounce of lettuce. When he asked for more veggies, the lady scornfully replied, “sir, if you wanted extra veggies you need to say ‘extra veggies’ at the time of your order, they cost extra.” Now, I have always had problems with the pathetic amount of meat and cheese they put on their sandwiches, now they are doling out the veggies as if that is the same as the meat and cheese. Sorry Subway, you’ve lost my business forever now. Almost everyone I know already forgoes Subway for Quiznos or Togos, where you get a much better product.

rico on May 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm | Link
I went in to a subway today to get a sub. Snce they have been advertising footlongs for a buck.
My girlfriend ordered a turkey sub and I onered a raost beef sub. I asked they lady ecplicitely are they still five dollars. They even had there sign still up. The lasdy was incompetent and my girlfriend and I had to keep repeating what we wanted on our sandwiches. Even then she still screwed them up. I mean really how hard can it be ” NO TOMATOS PLEASE” had to repeat it several times. When we were through she had the gall to charge me 14.00 bucks for 2 sandwiches. I told her twice I wanted to do the 5 dollar deal. I’m sorry I’m sure not everyone that works at Subway is incompetent just the ones I run into. For That price we could have went out to a nice restaurant and at least got something to drink. In the end she still didn’t get our sandwiches right. I will refrain from getting jacked at that place again. There are a lot better places in Portland, Oregon to eat.
If your in Portland avoid the Subway near S.E. 52nd and Woodstock unless you have enough patience to deal with stupidity.

Mike on May 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm | Link
Excuse the typos from above I’m still upset at the way My girlfriend and I were treated in there. I’m sure that if I were to try and file a complaint with the company it would fall and deaf ears. The employees would probably get an “atta boy” for screwing me out of four bucks.

Mike on May 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm | Link
“OH” and to the manager up top I wasn’t asking for any extra anything just what you advertise and the employees couldn’t even get that right. I’ll stick to places where they actually adhere to the prices on there menu. Not try to rip you off. What a joke.

Mike on May 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm | Link
Standard guidelines are 6 of each veggie on 12 inch, 3 on 6 inch. Depending on the sub, the meat ranges from 6/6/4 (Italian) to 8 (Turkey) for 12 inch, 3/3/2 to 4 on 6 inch. I usually put a bit more on of the smaller veggies - like jalapenos, olives, banana peppers, etc. And lettuce - we go through a lot of that.

I echo what all the managers/employees have said, though. We have to have things measured out so we don’t run out or come up with unaccounted for food.

Feel bad for you people with bad experiences - if you came to our subway you’d be appeased.

Sarai on May 9th, 2009 at 9:44 am | Link
i work at subway as well, and we always have the options of double meat or cheese. and you get as many veggies as you want, all you have to do is ask.

nikki on May 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am | Link
I think the employees at Subway are rude, and give attitude because they’re not entitled to a break. So basically, were getting some really picky customers, having our mangers hover over us to make sure we put the,”correct amount” of items in the sandwiches(yes, we accually DO count the olives, my manager lectured me before saying i put was too many olives on a sub , i only put on like 6.) and were running around like chickens with our heads cutt off trying to save money for an employer that won’t even allow breaks, or in my case, even a 2minute smoke break. I accually have to say im going to the washroom, then run out the back door when no one is looking to sneak a cigarette. Its ****ing embarasing. And- I constanly get in trouble for giving out extra napkins, even to messy children.

I think its time for a new job.

barb on June 4th, 2009 at 9:58 am | Link
I am reading all the complaints on-line so that I can be a better manager for my store.(SUBWAY) I am so sick of people complaining about how much is on a sandwich. We are told as managers and artist how much to put on each sandwich. It is not our choice on how much to put on each. Our society is so full of obess people! Subway is a place to help you lose weight and stay healthy not act like a pig. As far as toppings people need to realize that each topping has a price and olives aren’t cheap! I have had customer get hateful with my employees over being charged extra for 3 cups of pickles on a sandwich. We have a formula for each type of sandwich and it is not our fault we don’t pile them up. We are doing a job and we are not ignorant people that need to be treated unfairly. I am a high school graduate, mother of 2, a military veteran, and wife.

Unknown on June 10th, 2009 at 2:54 pm | Link
if you wanna be better at your job, just go find a new one. you stand little chance in changing a company that basically survives due to the fact of false advertisement(starting with the sub on display in every menu) which the customer will never get one of, due to many reasons starting with company policies all the way down to owners/managers who would rather keep profit levels up regardless of how bad the customers are cheated. i would rather risk the chances of bad health from the burger industries than to have to deal with the mental frustrations of being cheated by a company who sells hope to the public as if they actually care if its healthy. how could they when they are so worried about loosing 10 to 20 cents on meats and cheese. last time i checked those were part of the basic food groups needed for a healthy diet. heck the extra lettuce is like giving them a drink of water and a heck throw in the few extra olives as well. pointless pointless pointless…topic, replies, complaints. just more publicity for subway regardless good or bad your getting free advertising form your unhappy customers so now we are are cheated again while helping your company’s name be said a thousand times.

CROOKS……. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS

Jason on June 17th, 2009 at 10:24 am | Link
1 6-inch philly steak sandwich and a drink cost me $6.77! May as well be $7.00 (what am I to do with $.33?). When you go to Subway, buy a sandwhich only. The drinks, chips and cookies just seem like a ploy to boost charges way up after the total is taxed. Best believe that I will tell everyone I know NOT to go to Subway to get ripped-off!

Mike_Louisville on June 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am | Link
I used to love subway until today, I dont think I will ever be able to eat at a subway again…I got a breakfest wrap this morning and the lady making our sub looked horrible i dont mean to use this expression but she looked like a “homeless person” she was dirty and rude and she threw my food together like it was a toy, when i went to pay she took off her plastic gloves and looked at her nails took a paper towel and started cleaning under nails rightinfront of us she didnt even ring in our food than she sniffed her fingers!!!! GROSSSSS!!! I couldnt eat my food after that i couldnt get the thought of her finger breaking through the glove or something and whatever the heck was on and under her finger nails went on my food..im getting sick just thinking of it now….when i worked at subway our boss was a real witch and if you came to work looking gross or dirty or messy she sent you home, because you are dealing with peoples food, i still cant get over it and i am done with subway for good!!

Melyssa on June 25th, 2009 at 1:27 pm | Link
All you people are retarded complaining about what goes on a sandwhich. If you want more meat then be prepared to pay a buck or two for it. As for veggies, don’t keep your mouth shut if you want more. It’s free, really, so don’t bitch and moan because you wanted to to pile digusting amounts of olives on your sandwhich. Seriously, the veggies expire within 3 days so of course there is no problem putting more on a sandwhich.
Want more cheese?… well guess what? Ask for more. .25 cen for a six ince and .50 for a footlong. Or here’s a thought… take the sub home and add ur own cheese. People do that for McDonald’s and Burger King and don’t complain.
As for napkins, just ask for more. The standard is 2 for a footlong, 1 for a six inch. It’s not much, we know but just ask for more and you’ll get them.
It’s not that hard people and instead of bitching to a website that can’t help you get what you want, just open up your freaking mouth and tell the sandwich artist what you want.
Easy enough for ya?

Thomas on July 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm | Link
This is very very true… I have worked at subway for the past three months and they do train you to put 6 of everything on… I have been lectured many times about “food costs” and “secret shoppers” and “headquarters” and blah blah blah. My coworkers and I know that people are not satisfied with with only 6 olives, 6 banana peppers, and 4 half slices of cheese. I ask people if they want extra stuff, because we dont charge for extra veggies unless it is some ridiculously large amount. I have to ask because 1) a “secret shopper” could come in and ask for a sub and if it isnt up to subway standards, i WILL be fired (not that it matters because i only have two weeks left) and 2) my boss will pretty much rip my head off because i put extra stuff on there without the customer asking.

… and as for the people that say subway workers are rude and disrespectful, this is only because people like you come in and have a rude and disrespectful attitude toward us, we are trying to be nice and all you want to do is complain about a stupid piece of bread that is perfectly fine and freshly made, you get what you give. I am always polite to customers, even when they do scream at me when we are making the bread they want, i’m sorry that its a popular type of bread and we cant keep it on the racks because everyone wants it, but i guess we just can “do our jobs well enough.” We do use excellent hygiene we wash our hands all the time and always wear gloves! Our bread doesnt stay on the rack long enough to get old so it is NEVER stale!

So the next time you come in to subway think to yourself, this person can be fired for placing extra stuff on the sub… so ask for it. And remember that we arent all piece-of-**** low lifes, we are here because we needs a job to make money for college or a car or other expenses we have. we’re the ones making your food, we can spit in it if you would like.

Alicia B. (Subway in Oneonta, NY) on July 24th, 2009 at 6:21 am | Link
Okay. I had never been and had never seen how bad people hated subway before… i mean gees thats a lot of complainin. anywho the point is i work for subway ive been working there for about oh roughly 4 months. i know its a lil bit but its enough to know the workers and mangers. I eat subway cus they give it to me free but if they didnt i wouldnt even buy it.. they areee way to pricy and the only thing thats good is the premium sandwiches… wel my manager hasnt been there in a couple days because shes out in a new store but the assistant manager has been there and she is just a meannnnn lady like seriously shes cool i have respect for her and all that stuff.. im just saying the lady doesnt know how to do her job The other day i worked a 4 hr shift and after 2 hrs i asked her if i could eat or go on my break in other words… she simply said no its too early go do this this and that and then take ur break, i was upset! well she did it again today but this time i asked her after about 3 hrs. im so mad i dont wanna talk about it.. maybe other subway locations are nice but this one has just given me a bad first job experience.

Ariana on July 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm | Link
you guys are dumb as ****

suck it on August 1st, 2009 at 11:06 pm | Link
shut up dude.. u dont know

ariana on August 1st, 2009 at 11:07 pm | Link
Um that’s bc when we over portion it does come out of our paychecks…and it never hurts to ask for more…And really… Quiznos?????? also it’s that big a deal DON”T EAT THERE! B/c it’s obvious subway’s not going out of buisness anytime soon.

Sarah on August 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm | Link
I just started working at Subway. It’s unholy chaos…employees are running around trying to do five things at once, then stopping to run out front and wait on customers. They don’t have people assigned to certain tasks or stations…we’re all running around doing stuff in the back and stuff out front and waiting on customers at the same time and it’s actually counterproductive. The training is insanely lacking. It’s unfair to the customers to have a new person making subs who has not received any training. Every single slice and piece of everything is accounted for…if a tomato isn’t sliced because it’s too badly bruise, it gets written on a list and accounted for. The owners are constantly threatened to account for every single ounce of food in fear of being audited by Subway so that’s why Subway is so manic on precise portions of everything. I think the subs are skimpy, the meat and cheese slices are miniature. The employees wouldn’t dare put extra of anything on unless told to do so because we’d be in BIG trouble.

The employees are worked like dogs, and not allowed to ever sit down during a six hour shift of constant running around. I was told the only time I was allowed to sit down was if I felt like I was going to pass out. Needless to say, it’s been good incentive for me to find another job.

Pam on September 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am | Link
Ariana, your manager is violating federal law you need to seek advice from the labor board or a local attorney.

mark on September 9th, 2009 at 8:53 pm | Link
Sarah

Two words … Circuit City!!!!!!

ring any bells.
Don’t be so sure about your assumptions!

Go find a negative discussion about sonic or mcdonalds!

can’t?

Yeah thought so!

mark on September 9th, 2009 at 8:56 pm | Link
I was actually recently fired from a Subway. I understand what you guys are saying. You can always ask for extra veggies, but I think its apsuloutly ridiculas that we were suposed to only put 6 olives on a sub. Whats the point of putting olives on your sub if you only get 6? I use to never put only 6 of anything but tomatoes and cucumbers on a sub because I did find it ridiculas. Want to hear something hilarious though? I got fired because I told our Subway inspector the truth about our manager, about how I hadnt been trained to prep any food so I was constantly running out. The official writing on my termination slip was that it was because I hadnt properly rotated the chips (funny, cuz, uh, I hadnt been the one to mess up the chips), but my manager specifically told me it was because I told the inspector I hadnt been train properly. Isnt that hilarious (in a very angry kind of way). My manager was mad I tattled on her and had to make up a reason to fire me. She basically admitted it! So yeah, I agree with you guys. I was the only person in the damn place who actually cared about getting things done and cared about customer service and I got fired for it.

Megan Kelley on September 13th, 2009 at 4:23 pm | Link
SUBWAY SALADS ARE BY FAR THE WORST!! I went to Subway today and paid $5.58 for what was the WORST salad and biggest rip-off EVER! There was NOTHING on it….it was soooo overpriced and had less than a sandwich has. I just don’t get Subway. I eat super healthy which is why I go there not because I enjoy the value I get. the VALUE SUCKS! I agree too, Quizno’s does fill you up. I eat a sandwich from Subway and am not full AT ALL!!! I’d be better off going to Wendy’s at eating a baked potato off their dollar menu. I’d sure as hell be a lot more filled!

H on September 14th, 2009 at 1:19 pm | Link
To all the morons saying you can ask for extra veggies for free who gives a f-u-c-k about extra veggies? Gimme more meat you retarded losers

Mac Drizzle on September 21st, 2009 at 5:29 pm | Link
Subways new Buffalo Chicken sandwich looks good right? wrong. I basically just ate a lettuce and bread sandwich. They put NO meat on the sub. Literally 4 pieces of chicken.. for $6! That is a rip off!!!

anonymous on October 1st, 2009 at 1:09 pm | Link
i work at a Subway and i know, it’s ridiculous how little food you get on your sub. but it’s not the emloyees that you should be blaming. we have our managers brething down our necks the entire time, and when they’re not at the store watching us, they have a live camera feed to their house to watch us. ive actually been written up and have had my shifts taken away for giving customers too many vegetables. so please, dont get mad at the employees, we’re already scared enough, knowing that our bosses are watching our every move.

joe on October 6th, 2009 at 5:21 am | Link
UGH…I’m still working at Subway…it’s been one month and I can’t believe my head hasn’t exploded. I can’t believe they work their employees like dogs (actually, dogs have more rights) and never allow them to take even a 10 minute break if they’ve worked for 7 or 8 hours straight. How can they live with themselves? It’s all about the money. They have to realize that if you give your employees a break, it will actually increase their productivity. Instead, we’re exhausted, stressed and overworked. Disgruntled employees start doing things like giving customers EXTRA NAPKINS!!! Horrors!!!

Pam on October 6th, 2009 at 3:34 pm | Link
oh man! ive been working there for about 5 months now. i understand you about the whole breaks and lunch things. it sucks ass! i got in a big-o fight with my managers just last week about it and about not giving me sufficient hourss… and now my schedule is full … you just gotta talk and stand up for yourself thats the way to do it.. =)

ariana on October 6th, 2009 at 10:59 pm | Link
I worked at a Subway back in the early 80’s an things reallly have changed scence then, I actually gained wiegth working thiere by eating the crab salid subs on a daily basis, and yea we used real crab back then, we had shirm[ salid with real ship too, the sadwiches had more meat on them as well even if we had to preportion them to the comapany specs, we could be really geneous with the veggies too corporate did’nt set limits on most of them and we could just pile them on.
Move to today and Subway seems to have gotten to ne really cheap and stingy in it’s ways, it’s gotten big now and the bean counters at corporate call the shots so every thing has to be as cheap as possible.

IceCat on October 13th, 2009 at 10:47 am | Link
I too am a Subway employee. However, I suppose I am the only Subway employee/representative here who dares to complain about Subway. In fact I have a significant number of complaints about the chain. And pretty much every one of my complaints can be considered my biggest (or most oustanding) complaint, for the simple reason that, at some point during each and every day I work at a Subway restaurant, one of those complaints becomes my biggest complaint. That is why I will drop the job like a hot potatoe as soon as something better comes along.

Most of the customers I serve prefer to come to me, rather than any other sandwich artist in any of the Subway stores for their sandwiches, primarily because, according to them, I make the neatest and tastiest subs, but the reason I make the neatest and tastiest subs is because I place the tomatoes on first, the cucumbers on second, the pickles on third, everything other than lettuce (including sauces) on fourth, and the lettuce on last. The only exceptions (and such are few and far between) to this would be when the customer suggests that he/she intends to save the sandwich for the next day, wants the lettuce on the bottom, or is not at all concerned about wearing (as opposed to eating) the ingredients.

However, ironically, it is this very practice that puts me out of compliance with Subway.

Subway’s laimebrained compliance standards contribute a lot to my need to look for something better and this is one of those compliance standards that I am referring to. Subway sandwiches are notorious for their messiness and Subway’s sandwich-making formula guarentees that messiness. At the same time, however, Subway employees and franchisees are often scolded, at least in writing, for making messy subs and told that they are out of compliance with Subway for doing so.

You see, putting the lettuce on first, especially if lots of it is asked for and especialy if tomatoes/cucumbers/thick sauces are included in the order, guarentees a messy sub and a messy sub is not what most customers want, not to mention the fact that a messy sub is out of compliance with Subway’s policies and, technically speaking, I could get fired if I continue to be out of compliance in any single area that is a compliance issue with Subway. But the ironic/lamebrained part of Subway’s policy on sandwich-making is this: I will be out of compliance with Subway if I do not put the lettuce on first. Ultimately this would mean, if I am going to get technical about it, that I could get fired if I don’t put the toppings on in a way that guarentees I will get fired for making a messy sub, even though I am fully in compliance when I make the neatest and tastiest of subs for Subway’s customers. In short, Subway expects me to make a neat sub by putting the toppings on in a way that guarentees I will make a messy sub.

I refuse to pussy-foot around Subway like all the other Subway reps whose posts I have read in this forum have done, because I know better and because I hope that in being honest about the image that Subway has created in my mind of its business model, by some slim chance, Subway headquarters will see the error in its ways and begin to make changes that will improve the tarnished image that its significantly unreasonable policies are responsible for creating in the minds of a significant number of its consumers, franchisees, and employees.

Some stores may be more lenient than others in upholding Subway’s policies. They may even be implementing more reasonable policies than Subway’s. I don’t really know. But they have sufficient reason to fear losing their franchises in so doing if their anti-Subway practices are ever brought Subway’s attention. This observable phenomenon alone convinces me that Subway franchisees are not real business owners at all. In fact, Subway franchisees demonstrate far too little knowledge in the areas of starting a business from scratch, developing a good business plan, and operating a business to convince me that they are more capable of starting and running a busiiness than any successful multi-level marketing agent might be. I think a more accurate or fitting title for Subway franchisees might be “Glorified managers/executives/employees” or “Super managers/executives/employees”.

Highly inefficient is how I would describe Subway’s sauce-dispensing methods if I compare it with other fast-food restaraunts. Istead of disposable sauce containers, like McDonald’s, Subway uses refillables,which require finding and opening boxes of plastic bags full of sauce, opening a corner of a bag with a knife (scissors are out of compliance), unscrewing the top of a sauce holder, carefully pouring the sauce from the bag into the holder, scraping the remaining sauce to avoid waste or storing the partially full bag in a bin, covering the big with seran wrap, then storing the bin in the fridge.

I could name numerous other inefficiencies. But I will save them for future posts.

Dawn on October 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm | Link
Subway is just insane. My boss, who is the owner of the store, has only been a franchisee for 5 months. All he does is run around in circles in an absolute PANIC that he’s going to get audited by Subway and that Subway will find out that the employees (well…mainly ME) aren’t adding enough mayo to the tuna. One pound, 9 ounces of mayo into the tuna is WAY WAY too much. It’s disgusting. When I mentioned this, he flipped out and said he could get into trouble if I don’t put 1 lb/8 ou of mayo in the tuna because Subway will audit him and find out he’s not using ENOUGH mayo. OMG. The tuna is swimming in high-fat mayo and is disgusting. Then there’s the whole napkin thing…god forbid someone get an extra napkin…the Subway Nazi’s will decend upon my poor boss and yank his franchisee license (for real…I’m not being sarcastic). UGH…I hate working at Subway. I hate this stupid recession/ depression because it’s the reason I’m working at this ridiculous place. I have yet to meet the “inspector” from Subway who visits our store once a month. I’m going to ask her why it is that Subway employees have less rights than dogs. I got to work another glorious shift this past Friday for 7 hours straight on me feet running the entire time and never sat down once to take a break. Why? Because it’s not allowed…there’s too much work to be done.

Pam on October 18th, 2009 at 4:52 pm | Link
I just quit my job at Subway…I worked there for six weeks and my back is majorly screwed up from it. I would work anywhere from 4 - 8 hour shifts, with no break. What the above posters said about never being allowed to ever sit down is true. My lower back got so strained from work that I’ve been in severe pain. Screw Subway. I didn’t even give two weeks notice. Any place that treats their employees this bad does not deserve the courtesy of two weeks notice. DO NOT WORK FOR SUBWAY!!!

Patricia on October 25th, 2009 at 8:39 am | Link
Good luck getting any hours

ex-employee on October 27th, 2009 at 1:31 pm | Link
I also have to agree that you’re lucky if you can even get a break to inhale the 6″ sub you get. I am having trouble with my legs because of standing all the time. IF I GET HOURS. Also the amount of food they put on the sub is disgraceful. You pay way too much for way to little. It is unbelievable how the portions are figured out. “Job security” means nothing to Subway or their managers. Subway is a lousy place to work.

ex-employee on October 27th, 2009 at 1:41 pm | Link
As an employee from subway I do understand your concerns, however in a way it does come out of our check…If the food cost is high then they have to cut our hours to make up the cost…

Cris smith on October 29th, 2009 at 11:10 am | Link
The issue is with Subway corporate. See this article.

http://nextraterrestrial.com/pdf/FDeluca-Fortune%20March%2016%201998.htm

Randy on October 31st, 2009 at 8:19 pm | Link
I hate subway, they take advantage of customers money by charging unauthorized from debit cards. Plus, I hate the rude employees who have no respect for the customers. They all get angry all sudden, and treat you rude in inhumane way. I don’t care about subway employees hating their job but please don’t step over the line between employees and customers buying sandwiches. Some of the employees acting low life scums who won’t show you respect, and it does piss me off. I have my own problems but I control myself working for other companies such as tele-marking which is a lot more frustrating job than subway, and still earn money. I will take legal actions sooner or later with any lawyers I will hire to shut down this unprofessional behaviors in subway. I did not mention I experience questioning myself, was it because I have different skin color?

Moe H on November 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm | Link
I have read the above comments & would like to address some topics as well as set the record straight for all the comments made by employees who really had no clue what they were talking about as well as some who obviously practiced poor work habits and commented as if it is the norm.

Subway Recipe: Most complaints on this site are about the lack of veggies on a sub. It is true that the recipe calls for 6 on a footlong and 3 on a 6″ sub. For the customers that choose to build their sub with every available topping offered it is a nice amount. To be honest much more & the sub wouldn’t shut. However for the customers who only want lettuce, tomatoes, pickles & olives for example, it is a bit skimpy. Subway Corp. doesn’t have a policy for extra veggies, they leave it up to the owners. Some give as many extra as the customer desires without a charge while others charge for every additional 6/3 they put on. Every food establishment has a recipe they are required to follow for a couple of obvious reason 1- Portion Control 2- Product Uniformity 3- Food Costs and Subway isn’t an exception. I’m not sure what your local Subway’s extra veggie policy is however I do agree that as the customer it’s up to you to ask for more if you’d like more. The person making your sub isn’t a mind reader. They are only doing their job by following a recipe that was put in place by Subway Corp. They are not at liberty to change the recipe however are allowed to honar customers requests (depending on the stores policy for free or little cost) to add more.

Others commented about the amount of meat &/or cheese on a sub. Just like the veggies there is a recipe for each sub. I’ve been involved in Subway since 1996 & can honestly say not much has really changed. Most recipes as well as the cut of meat has remained the same in this time. I do know customers who request less meat as well as ones who request double meat & customers who order extra cheese as well as those who order no cheese. I can honestly say I’ve seen it all & it does depend on the individual customer. Personally I feel the meat portion is enough however I always add extra cheese when I eat at a Subway. The reason it looks like it is lacking slices of meat is due to the way we are required to fold them (2 by 2) in order to cut down on time. Usually in the pictures the meat is “fluffed” however that would take longer to make each sub so that’s the reason why the meat is put down flat. And yes the chicken strips, steak and chicken teriyaki are all weighed out prior to being served. Yes sometimes employees will need to “break” a piece to reach the desired wight, but you are only kidding yourself if you don’t believe that everything is weighed out (& not only at Subway). The slice of salami cut elsewhere and delivered to your local store was weighed before it was packaged. The cheeseburger from the McDonalds was weighed at location before it was packaged, shipped, delivered, cooked & served to you. You can order double meat on anything offered at Subway except for the Feast or Big Philly Cheese Steak because they are already double meat subs for an additional cost of $1 or $2, but it’s worth it if you desire all that meat. Cheese is 25 cents or 50 cents if you desire extra.

Employees are expected to do a lot and aren’t given breaks because of the way owners are forced to staff to maintain Subways productivity requirements. We are under constant supervision and do have random inspections. The owner can watch everything while at his/her home. He/She can zoom in on the subs their employees are making as well as see the register while it’s getting rung up which then is logged as to what type of sub was made and allows the owner to bring up for example all BMTs made and watch to ensure they were all made correctly. In addition to the owner being able to watch so can Subway Corp at any random time. There are monthly inspections by a field consultant. They inspect everything from making the subs with the right recipes to putting the toppings on in a certain order to employees uniforms, hand washing & glove usage. They check dates, weights and scrap. If marked out of compliance by them it could depending on what the issue was &/or how many times the issue has been marked out of compliance result in the owner losing his/her store. Also in a given month we can be secret shopped by the chip company Frito Lays, a regular secret shopper or an inspector inspecting the feild consultant.

For those of you who think the owner has controll over his/her store your wrong. They have to buy Subway approved items from a Subway approved supplier. They have to pay Subway weekly for the use of the name, marketing as well as a few other things. They have to carry whatever their market selects and can only run specials that are approved by their market (they can’t honor another markets special). They have to be open whatever hours Subway tells them they have to be open and can only close for a holiday if Subway approves it. So for the people who commented about the napkins, maybe now you’ll understand why…they too have a cost. Subway Corp does say 1 or 2 depending on what you order. If the employee hands out more than that to each customer than the owner can be audited because the projected usage will not match the actual usage and if it continues they could actually take back the store and the owner will be left with nothing.

I know there are a lot of stores out there not doing what is considered good customer service (& that’s not just at Subway). It’s a shame! Employees anywhere need to realize that the customer counts, without the customer the establishment wouldn’t make money therefore wouldn’t be able to pay the employee which would result in them losing their job. It’s not hard to figure out. In the same breath customers need to realize that the person behind the counter is trying & deserves to be treated with respect. Sure sometimes you have a bad day, but to the employee…the customer doesn’t care, just make their food right and quick and don’t take whatever is going on in your personal world out on the customer. Same goes for the customer who thinks it’s acceptable to treat the employee making their sub like crap because they are having a bad day. It’s called respect people!

The problem for those of you who expressed hate for Subway isn’t because of the employee, the manager or the owner…they are just trying to do their job the way it’s expected of them. It’s Subway Corp that sets the rules, standards and recipes. It’s the big shots sitting in Conn behind their desks collecting the money from the individuals actually busting their butts daily in store who make the rules and controll everything we do. Please don’t take it out on the people at the store level because we honestly have no controll and are just trying to be good at our jobs (well most of us).

What makes me qualified to comment…I have worked at Subway since 1996. I became the manager in 1999. My father is an owner of a Subway. I attend the Subway Territory Meetings, Market Meeting and have access to Subway’s Policy Book. I am certified in food Sanitation. If you would like to comment on what I wrote or ask me any questions I’d be happy to answer them. Please know I am not defending Subway, I honestly never really liked the Subway sub I prefer a harder roll, however I will defend the people just trying to do their jobs.

Kari on November 14th, 2009 at 10:59 pm | Link
Although, all of what you stated is correct and understandable you should know something else…. If you know so much about subway and are very dedicated which is great i mean you have to love what you work at if not it wont be pleasant…. But you forgot to add that if you know so much then you would know that it is the LAW that after a 5 hr shift it is ILLEGAL to not give the employee a 30 MIN lunch… I know that some shifts dont even get to 8 hrs unless you open the restaurant, but even for 4 hrs you are entitled to a break. But some of us that work the 8 hr shift sometimes dont even get that break.. and it is DEFINETLY ILLEGAL to not give two 10min breaks and a half hour lunch…. So you might want to correct that if you want to make your subway a better place… READ THE LAW! BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE LATER FOR NOT DOING SO…. IT DOESNT HURT TO GIVE YOUR EMPLOYEES A BREAK OR A LUNCH YOU HAVE PLENTY OF EMPLOYEES TO COVER THE SHIFT YOU ARE NEVER ALONE THERE IS ALWAYS ATLEAST THREE EMPLOYEES ON THE CLOCK!!!!!

Ariana on November 15th, 2009 at 9:34 pm | Link
That may be true about breaks…I’m not sure, but I believe you. At my location employees usually don’t work long enough to earn a break. Most shifts are 2-3 hours long. The supervisors work longer shifts anywhere from 4-7 hours and I work up to 12 hours some days. We do not staff our store with extra people. The only time there is more than 1 person behind the counter is during “lunch” (1130-2) and dinner (5-630), other than that we are alone. Formal breaks do not happen however during a slow time my employees (and myself) have cigarette breaks and even find time to sit down…sometimes we even eat out lunch/dinner.

Kari on November 17th, 2009 at 1:22 pm | Link
P.S sometimes we are interrupted by an entering customer when we are attempting to eat/sit/smoke however at my store we just accept that. There are times when we are busy and work very hard but there are other times that we are so slow and have NOTHING to do, so I think it’s an even trade off. I guess that’s why no one has ever reported the lack of breaks, because they understand that this is the way it is and are okay with it as I am. I’m sure as the manager I would have heard by now if someone was unhappy. All my employees have been there for years and seem to be happy.

Kari on November 17th, 2009 at 1:40 pm | Link
Kari, you are correct in that the owners of the Subways are basically slaves to corporate and have very little control. However, it seems the only inconsistency with Subway are the shifts…seems like the store owner can set the schedule/hours as they please.

At the Subway where I was formerly employed, my coworker and myself worked 6 - 8 hour days, four days a week, and we were not allowed to take a break, unless we felt we were going to pass out. There was too much work to be done to warrant a break. We were constantly running to try to get everything prepped, and constantly stopping what we were doing to wait on customers.

At my Subway location, the new owner decided to NOT work the 40 - 50 hours per week in an employee capacity like the previous owner did. So…we were basically 40 - 50 hours short on manpower when it came to help. PLUS, he decided to add a lot of catering business for local schools that we did not have with the previous owner. So, he decreased the manpower by 50 hours, and increased the workload. Someone had to open the store, prep enough food for the day in addition to all the sub orders being taken to schools. Then, had to start making subs that the school ordered. Meanwhile, customers would start coming in and we’d be trying to fill an order of 40 or more subs.

It was horrible. That’s why I quit. I hated that place, will never set foot in another Subway and tell everyone I know what a horrible place it was to work.

Pam on November 18th, 2009 at 5:32 pm | Link
Well, I just went to Subway for lunch today. I have gone several times over the last few months only because it’s relatively quick and located conveniently nearby. When I “eat out” I usually like to get stuff I wouldn’t normall do myself - so subs/sandwiches are rare and are a last resort.

Most of the employees at this downtown Subway are very fast and courteous. I rarely ask for the extra olives as I just hate asking - however, I did today and ended up with maybe 3 or 4 more - not worth the effort (since I feel like I am somehow being a porker for asking for extra). I know I did ask for a couple of extra napkins on one occasion. It’s just like how a few others here have experienced, I was shocked to see the annoyed look on that employee’s face. Then, since she just stared at me without any response perhaps thinking I’d just leave if she ignored me, I reached over and took two extra napkins - she wasn’t too happy about that! Geez!

Also, I don’t like how the fillings (meat/veggies) are piled high at the open/cut side of the bun. I suspect it’s to make it look more substantial than it really is. I wish they would push it more evenly between the bun so when I pick it up or try to eat it, the fillings don’t all fall out on me (without enough napkins to wipe up). Then, the rest of the bun is empty!

Anyways, I do want to say I think the workers at this Subway work hard and are just following rules; however, I sure wish I could get a few more olives (say 12 or 15) on my footlong without have to ask all the time. I am fine with the amounts of other stuff I ask for: lettuce, tomato, cucumbers. In my experience, I feel when I actually ask for extras of something like olives, I expect a small handful to be automatically given - I will say just only a few if I only wanted 3 extra olives and if it was that little bit I wouldn’t even bother to ask. I know it’s a business, but I wish businesses wouldn’t make the customers feel so awkward and such a chore to ask for stuff being advertised as free, or all you eat.

Foodie on November 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm | Link
I have looked into breaks. Pennsylvania (where I live) employers are required to provide break periods of at least 30 minutes for minors ages 14 through 17 who work five or more consecutive hours. Employers are not required to give breaks for employees 18 and over. If your employer allows breaks, and they last less than 20 minutes, you must be paid for the break. If your employer allows meal periods, the employer is not required to pay you for your meal period if you do not work during your meal period and it lasts more than 20 minutes. A collective bargaining agreement may also govern this issue. On the sites I was on there was also NO federal law that the employer was responsible to give breaks. I am not sure where y’all live or if your state does have a law, but in Pennsylvania there is not. If you live in PA and get breaks from your employer consider yourself lucky, because it’s not a right as so many people have said it was, but instead a perk. In my personal opinion I still believe an empolyer should allow breaks (without interuption) for the employees so they can a change to regroup and come back to work refreshed and ready to work. But I don’t see that happening.

The website I included is where I found the break law information for Pennsylvania.

Kari on November 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am | Link
(typo)
…so they can have a chance to regroup and come back to work refreshed and ready to work.

Kari on November 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am | Link
Wake up pinheads! Friggin’ get a clue! To ask is not to know so get those choppers choppin’ and ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Don’t forget to leave a tip! Cheapskates.

God on December 4th, 2009 at 8:37 am | Link
If I want to order something and eat it there I’ll go out of my way to avoid Subway–and Quizno’s–just because of the napkin thing. Look, just sitting in the icy draught of an over-active air conditioner and drinking a cold soda is enough to start my nose to running. It’s a given that I’ll have to blow my nose at least once, and there goes my one napkin. It’s not like they won’t give me a couple more when I ask, but why should I have to ask?

James on December 4th, 2009 at 9:40 pm | Link
Blowing your nose at the table while you and others are eating is the problem…not Subway/Quizno’s for the amount of napkins they gave you. Not only is it offensive, why should people have to hear/see you get rid of your bodily waste while they eat, but it’s very unsanitary. Do you get up and dispose of your waste as well as wash your hands before you touch anything (including the handle to the bathroom door) directly following your action or don’t you mind spreading germs to everyone around you? If you do go to the bathroom to wash your hands than the better practice would be to excuess yourself before the action, in which case you could use the paper (toilet or towels) in there instead of your napkin. If you don’t go to the bathroom to wash your hands, do you actually continue eating with your contaminated hands?…eww! Growing up I was taught it to be good mannors to excuess yourself from the “dinner” table anytime you needed to do a bodily function like burp, fart and blow your nose because it was curtious to everyone else around you. Now I realize that sometimes it’s uncontrollable and that’s where “excuess me” comes into play. As a food server I am always grossed out and surprized when I see (usually a grown man) blow his nose at the table as though it is okay and then continue eating their food. As your server would you think it was acceptable for me to blow my nose out in the eye of customers, not wash my hands after the action and then make your sub for you to eat (oh…without putting the gloves on)? I don’t know anyone who would say yes…of corse it’s not acceptable. Why is it okay then for you to do it. Think about it. It’s gross hygenically and socially and I urge you to change you bad habit.

Back to the napkins. I totally agree, I think they should basically double the amount they give. I usually eat a 6″ (that’s 1 napkin). I use a napkin while I eat and would like a fresh one for the conclusion of my meal. Now my husband usually eats a 12″ (that’s 2 napkins) however he never uses both his napkins. I guess it depends on the person as well as the type of sub ordered. It all goes back to proper recipe. Considering the napkin policy hasn’t changed since Subway first began I don’t think it’ll change anytime soon. Besides corp wanting to make sure all stores are alike they also want to cut down on unnecessary waste so I guess it’s a good thing. Whenever I’m eating at a help yourself napkin restaurant I see customers grab a stack which they don’t use and throw them away or leave them on the table (which when it is cleaned they get thrown away because they are no longer able to be used after a customer touches them due to sanitation purposes). We as a society are wasteful and although you’d like to say we are smart enough to take only what we need of things, the truth is we’re not. To be honest, the 1 or 2 napkins are enough for most our customers. I’d say only 5% (if even that) of the people ask for extra napkins. I don’t know I guess I don’t think it’s that big a deal. It goes back to if you want it make it known and the artist waiting on you will be more than happy to help you.

Kari on December 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am | Link
I live in Australia and my local Subway is not too bad. They generally add a lot of vegetables to the sandwich. The cheese isn’t paper thin and it tastes reasonably nice.

Still, I don’t have meat on a sandwich if I go to Subway. The meat looks suspicious and tastes like melted plastic.

But really. Do you know what’s a better idea than buying sandwiches? Making your own. I do it, I control the portions and it tastes much nicer.

Avarice on December 9th, 2009 at 4:25 am | Link
Kara, I’m in PA as well…yes…by law, no employee breaks required. We worked 8 hours straight sometimes, on our feet running constantly. I’m so glad I quit.

Pam on December 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm | Link
Pam, I’m not sure why you addressed a comment to me. If you read my comment I simply stated the law. I also said “In my personal opinion I still believe an empolyer should allow breaks (without interuption) for the employees so they can have a chance to regroup and come back to work refreshed and ready to work. But I don’t see that happening.”

To be an employee at Subway is a lot harder than people imagine. There is a lot of work to do and it’s not for everyone. Alot of people can’t handle the amount of work that is required from this job. It’s deffinitly not for everyone!

Kari on December 15th, 2009 at 8:10 pm | Link
Lying boss, abusive boss, stealing tips, losing hours to welfare recipients are just a few complaints about Subway. I can’t believe the crap that goes on in that place.

employee on December 18th, 2009 at 2:00 pm | Link
Hey,

This is just for everyone who is complaining about the amount of veges the artists put on a sub. I am the Store Manager of a Subway in Blenheim and we have a Formula for meat, cheese and veges. 3 of each vege on a 6 inch and 6 of each vege on a ft.

Laura on January 6th, 2010 at 2:01 am | Link
My complaint. I work for a subway. I have worked for many subway restaurants. Breaks are welcome “if you need one”. Yes it’s a lot of work and it’s not for everyone. But, It’s a JOB none the less.
I hear complaints everyday. The payout…… Loyal customers. And don’t forget a check every two weeks. Sauces…..?
Cry about McDonalds. Or BKing. Not enough Katchup? Cry cry cry.
Grease made me fat….cry cry cry. Eating healthy is a choice. NOT something you can buy. Eating at a restaurant is a choice as well. So is which one to eat at. Go somewhere else if your not satisfied. Cry to your parents for not raising you to make GOOD choices. Tack on to that the raising you to complain. You get what you ask for. We the sandwich artist can’t make your mind up for you.
The main slogan is : EAT FRESH. baked everyday. Prepped everyday. SOLD EVERYDAY!
My complaint is you whiny customers that can’t make your choice to your desire. Weird to think… how you want it isn’t how you told someone to prepare it ???? And YES!!! If you wanted it on a silver platter…. Your going to pay more.

Tiny Tim on January 10th, 2010 at 8:29 pm | Link
I’m not going to hear from a Subway owner how things are done across the board. You want customers, obviously you’re going to feed bull-**** to people on this board. The fact is, I have gone to Subway for years and I will admit, it’s one branch in particular, REFUSES to put extra olives on. They count out six olives.
I said ‘I wanted extra.’
‘That is extra, I put on like 10.’
‘No, extra, a lot of olives.’
‘I can’t do that, we have to follow inventory.’
‘I don’t care about your inventory. I will pay extra for it if I have to.’
‘There’s no way for me to charge for that.’
‘Yes there is, you charge for extra meat.’
‘We’re not allowed to charge this.’
‘Where’s your manager?’ (knowing already the manager was right next to him as I’ve dealt with the jackass before).
The manager: ‘We put what we’re told to put on there.’
‘I don’t care what you’re told. I’m paying for this. I told you I’ll pay extra for extra olives.’
‘Can’t do that.’
‘This is the third time I’ve had a problem with you guys. Why is it always this branch I wonder?’
‘Don’t like it, there’s the door. Leave.’
‘Done. I won’t ever be back.’

Of course this jackass couldn’t care less if I come back. He’s a low-life manager of a sub shop. He means nothing in the world, but the fact is, Subway is going to lose customers left and right if they keep this trash running their stores.

J on January 22nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm | Link
The footlong club seems to the best choice as far as being able to actually taste the meat. I havent had problems with any Subway staff.

Eric on January 26th, 2010 at 6:42 pm | Link
What happened to me at subway was that I lost all of my hours to someone who was on welfare and less competent because they can work them cheaper. I scrounged to feed my family for weeks and my family had no Christmas because I was “let go with possibility of calling after the kids got back from break possibly.” What a load of crap! I have nothing but hard feelings against the subway franchise and would love to see them go belly up!!

ex-employee on January 27th, 2010 at 1:12 pm | Link
How about the manager stealing tips!! Lying to your face why you can’t get hours? Hiring someone else who she gives your hours to when he is not trained and has to constantly ask how to make different subs? Managers like that should be FIRED!

aggravated ex-employee on January 27th, 2010 at 1:18 pm | Link
Lately Subway sandwiches have been causing me to have diarrhea. I wont be going back, the last few trips have been bad and I’m a regular go once a day to the bathroom kind of guy. Not sure whats ingredient/s could be causing it but just seems sketchy..

Ron on January 29th, 2010 at 8:51 am | Link
I know all about the “formula”, it’s a load of crap, there is no way veggies cost too much to let you have more than four pieces of pickle on a six inch. Subway is nothing but a bunch of thieves and should be boycotted.

aggravated ex-employee on January 29th, 2010 at 12:45 pm | Link
yeah I know it’s three pickles on a six inch, again, utterly ridiculous and highway robbery!!

aggravated ex-employee on January 29th, 2010 at 12:48 pm | Link
I went to a Subway in Bernice,la - located inside a gas station and ordered a salad. This Subway claims they can no longer cut up my meat or vegetables for the salads. The worker then places 3 pieces of whole ham on top of the salad. When asked the worker said her manager told her “it would not be fast food if they stopped what they were doing to cut up stuff” to me it is not fast food if it is not ready to eat when i get it. when i told her every other subway cuts up the meat she said said that her manager told her she would be fired if she done it. When i asked for a manager there was no one available. This subway needs new workers and managers. they are horrible.

anna on February 6th, 2010 at 8:48 pm | Link
Actually for me they try and load on cheap lettuce,and I have to halt them in their tracks, and tell them I don’t want the majority of my sandwiche to be lettuce! I hold my ground cause I don’t always have the sandwiches. So when they strt moving on to the next item I say excuse could you please put more on of that on my sandwiche. I am very picky about that because I KNOW for a fact they are robotic about skimping on the items. If they wanna do that then then should promote as they’ll assemble your sandwiche THEIR way ! There should be a warning ..Maybe everyday people that can’t make decisions on their own can live with it. But I can’t! I think if I opt for NOT having a tomato and save them money that way,then I think I should be able to ask for extra this or that to substitute the tomato. ( afterall isn’t tomatos expensive in the stores hmmm?) I can understand extra for Avacado (it does mention that) but I think it is cheesy trying to rush me as much as they do. I understand they got bosses,but I am the customer,and if there is a policy restricting certain things then post it! I don’t think IN-N-OUT would ever charge me extra for tons of onions like I ask for… I should not have to have anxiety when I go to a Subway,and have to deal with a robotic server that speeds pasts my requests…

KATHY =( ^-^ )= on February 19th, 2010 at 7:11 am | Link
$5 footlong? How about coming down on the price of a six-inch? Coercing people into buying footlongs by charging $4.50 for a six-inch is outrageous. Claiming to promote eating healthy, and at the same time encouraging people to overeat. Shame on Subway!

f@t@ss on February 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 pm | Link
I don’t think most of you people realize that you get what you pay for. A restaurant makes about 3 to 5% profit after all their overhead, food and wages is paid for. If they gave you more of the expensive stuff like meat and cheese, you wouldn’t want to pay the price. Most people don’t realize how small the profit margin is for a Subway so they can even pay the rent and wages. More meat means more cost and then people like you would complain about the cost being outrageous. If any food seller can’t make a profit, they won’t be there next time you’re hungry. And going to BK and McD is a time bomb of unhealthy eating. What are you feeding yourselves and your children? Shame on all of you. No wonder America is the fattest nation and the unhealthiest people in the world. And you all complain about not enough meat and cheese. Look in the mirrors dodos. What do you see?

Shirley on February 24th, 2010 at 7:48 am | Link
SUBWAY SUCKS, PERIOD!! I HATED WORKING THERE AND MY BOSS WAS NOTHING BUT A JERK TO ME. Do not give me the crap about how healthy the food is. Bologna! I will never eat there because they are thieves and their food tastes like cardboard!! All you get there is the calories from the bread!

aggravated ex-employee on March 6th, 2010 at 6:22 pm | Link

My Biggest Complaint About Subway Sandwiches

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