35 new stores set to open in next three years, creating over 300 new jobs.

The Subway® brand in Kent and Surrey has set out ambitious targets for new store development, with plans to grow its portfolio of stores from 92 to more than 125 by the end 2020. 

With 92 Subway® stores already open and operating in the region, 61 in Kent and 31 in Surrey, the Subway® brand plans to open a further 15 by the end of this year, and an additional 20 stores throughout 2019 and 2020. 

Operated by local franchisees, the Subway® stores across Kent and Surrey already provide over 900 jobs for the region. The new stores will create a further 350 jobs, as well as providing the opportunity for entrepreneurial individuals in the area to become Subway® franchisees.

All development of the Subway® brand in Kent and Surrey is overseen by Regional Development Agent, Hemina Haque. Hemina said: “We have ambitious plans to grow the Subway® brand across Kent and Surrey, so I am really keen to hear from local people who are looking to fulfill their dreams of owning their own business and becoming their own boss.

“The Subway® brand is the number one QSR brand in the world and offers an excellent opportunity for would-be entrepreneurs. Franchisees benefit from operating in a tried and tested system, with excellent training and support provided.

“Many of our franchisees start out with little or no experience in the food industry, but all posses a strong work ethic and a passion for the Subway® brand and its products. 70% of new stores established are by existing franchisees, demonstrating how rewarding it is.”

The Subway® brand has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Kent and Surrey, with the first store opening in Woking, Surrey in 1999. Some of the current locations available for new franchisees to open a Subway® store include Maidstone in Kent, and Camberley and Egham in Surrey, with many more opportunities in great locations throughout the two counties.

Hemina continues: “We believe there is still plenty of room to grow the Subway® brand in Kent and Surrey, with great locations available now. To succeed, we need the right people, with the right blend of team work, leadership and work ethic to become new franchisees and help us to deliver our ambitious growth target.

The Subway® brand unveiled a new Fresh Forward store décor last year, offering customers an enhanced brand experience, with clean lines and customer-focused touches, such as digital menu boards, free-to-use charging ports and special displays for the brand’s cookies, bread which is baked in-store daily and vegetables.

Hemina recently brought the new store format to Kent and Surrey, opening the first Fresh Forward Subway® store at Neats Court retail park in Queenborough, Kent in March. This was closely followed by a second Fresh Forward store in Maidstone, Kent with further Fresh Forward stores planned as part of the region's development plans. 

Hemina concludes: “The new Fresh Forward store décor provides franchisees with a new opportunity to open a modern and customer-focused Subway® store. I'm excited about working with even more local entrepreneurs to open  more Fresh Forward Subway® stores throughout Kent and Surrey in the future.”

Across the UK and Ireland, the Subway® brand has ambitious plans to increase the number of Subway® stores to 3,000 by 2020, creating around 5,000 new jobs.