Subway closed 729 stores across the United States in 2025, marking its tenth consecutive year of decline, according to a report from QSR. The sandwich chain's US footprint has fallen from a peak of over 27,000 locations in 2015 to 18,733 at the end of last year.
Despite the closures, Subway remains the largest US chain by store count. The company described the closures as part of a 'rightsizing' strategy, focusing on ensuring restaurants are in optimal locations. A Subway spokesperson told QSR that operational improvements are paying off, with restaurant evaluation and Google review scores reaching their highest levels in two years.
Subway expects to open 100 US franchised locations in 2026, according to Franchise Disclosure Documents. However, the documents do not specify how many closures are anticipated, though the brand has consistently closed several hundred stores annually over the past decade.
To attract customers, Subway recently launched a value menu featuring 15 items priced under $5, shifting away from limited-time deals to compete with value-focused rivals like McDonald's and KFC. Meanwhile, the chain has been thriving overseas, opening more than 1,000 locations worldwide in 2025 and securing agreements for over 12,000 additional units.
