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CNN Enterprise
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Subway says its most in depth menu makeover within the firm’s almost 60-year historical past is paying off.

Gross sales at shops open at the very least a yr rose 8.4% within the third quarter, the privately held firm introduced Wednesday. For the previous 18 months, Subway mentioned it had “record-setting gross sales” throughout its roughly 20,000 US places, bolstered by various modifications that embrace new sandwiches, soups and retailer remodels.

Subway attributed its latest success to its new “Subway Sequence” menu, which was streamlined to assist velocity up service, and a rise in digital orders.

“The outcomes from the Subway Sequence launch and the optimistic response from visitors and franchisees demonstrates that our transformation technique is working,” mentioned Trevor Haynes, president of Subway North America, within the launch.

The Subway Sequence is a extra neatly organized menu, divided into 4 classes (Cheesesteaks, Italianos, Rooster and Golf equipment) and consisting of three sandwiches every. All 12 sandwiches are new to the menu, with some primarily changing earlier variations with new names and slight tweaks.

It was the largest change Subway rolled out since its July 2021 refresh, which targeted on upgraded components and upgraded app.

In one other optimistic benchmark for the struggling chain, Subway mentioned September gross sales grew almost 11% in comparison with the identical month a yr earlier. It’s a stark turnaround for the chain, which has been coping with declining gross sales and retailer depend as folks gravitate towards its rivals.

Gross sales at Subway’s US places have been falling lately, based on the analysis agency Technomic. System-wide gross sales at Subway’s US places had been $12.3 billion in 2013, which was its finest yr of the previous 15 years. in 2021, gross sales slumped to $9.4 billion, based on Technomic’s evaluation. The variety of places has declined for the fifth yr in a row to twenty,746 per Subway’s web site.

Subway didn’t present greenback quantities for its 2022 gross sales Wednesday.

Franchises have lengthy been vocal with the chain about making modifications to its staid menu and retailer’s appearances. In a single flashpoint final yr, some Subway franchise operators have complained publicly in regards to the firm’s remedy of them.

Notably, Wednesday’s press launch contains a quote from Donna Curry, a Subway franchisee that owns about 65 places.

“We’re listening to from visitors that they like the flexibleness of ordering by title and quantity and are having fun with the brand new Subway Sequence sandwiches, which is mirrored within the elevated site visitors and gross sales throughout my eating places,” she mentioned.

Soups had been the newest focus of Subway’s multi-year transformation plan. Final month, it rolled out three refreshed soups: broccoli cheddar, rooster noodle and loaded baked potato.