Business & Financial News

The U.S. sandwich chain Subway, which has just opened its 200th restaurant in France, wants to grow very rapidly to reach 1,400 restaurants by 2015, said its director Friday, June 4 Thierry Rousset at a news conference. The Subway system, consisting of restaurants under franchise, and beyond that of the French subsidiary of McDonald's, which totaled 2009 1.161 end establishments, 30 years after his arrival in France.

The concept is based on Subway sandwiches in front of the customer with ingredients he has chosen. The chain is as "an alternative to traditional high-calorie fast food. Subway has opened its first restaurant in France in 2001, the 100th in 2008 and the 300 is expected in less than twelve months, "said Rousset, citing" very strong acceleration in the pace of growth. "With 1,400 restaurants, the network represents 10,000 direct new jobs, "he said.

Founded in 1975 in the United States by Fred DeLuca, Subway totals about 33,000 restaurants in 92 countries, including 3,000 in Europe, and is not quoted on the Stock Exchange. The average turnover of a Subway restaurant in France is 400,000 euros per year, he said, while sales under the brand totaled 60 million euros. Last year, the French subsidiary of McDonald's has achieved a turnover of 3.6 billion euros, up 8.5%.

In 2009, the French consumed almost 2 billion sandwiches, or 9% more than in 2008, according to research firm Gira Council. The sector's sales totaled 6.33 billion euros (3.78%).