Subway is adding 1,000 new locations in Europe according to Bloomberg.com.
"Europe is the strongest, fastest-growing international market for Subway outside of North America, and will continue to be," Subway assistant regional director Mike told Bloomberg by phone from his Amsterdam office Aug. 13. "Subway's strategy works for us regardless of economic situation by balancing affordability with high-quality food,"
The franchise chain plans to add 190 to 200 stores in Russia and 100 in France Bloomberg reported.
The chain is growing in Italy, Denmark, and Belgium to be more difficult because of issues each franchise location has with making an initial profit so it can grow and establish its self, Bloomberg reported. The chain currently has 17 restaurants in Italy, 15 in Denmark, and 15 in Belgium.
"Italy has plenty of home-grown independents and chains to feed the market," Anya Marco, director at London-based and research consultant for restaurant companies such as Subway Allegra Strategies told Bloomberg.
According to Bloomberg, Subway has grown in Europe with 4,108 stores amid the continent's recession and economic recovery. For the past couple years, the company, headquartered in Milford, Conn. has opened 500 stores a year in Europe and aims to put 800 to 1,000 more in the next year.
The sub shop restaurant chain would also like to have 2,000 operational restaurants by the time 2015 rolls around Bloomberg reported. Subway has added 63 locations in the United Kingdom in 2013 to take the number to 1,544, up from 59 openings in 2012. The company has also grown in the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden with at least 20 stores in each location in the past year.
According to Bloomberg, the chain hopes to be in Latvia, Lituania, Georgia, and Ukraine by the conclusion of 2013.
