To adapt during the pandemic, Subway announced Friday that some franchisees have launched Subway Marketplace, allowing customers to craft their own sandwiches at home.
The available items include bread and a variety of pre-packaged meats and vegetables, the company said.
The concept appears to be separate from Subway Grocery, which was started by more than 100 restaurants in Southern California earlier in April. Customers are able to purchase ingredients online and receive the items via pick up, curbside, or delivery. There are now more than 650 participating locations across more than two dozen states and Washington, D.C.
“Adapting to this ever-evolving landscape also means finding creative solutions to give our guests the best Subway experience possible—whether that’s providing the greatest value, creating different solutions for guests to access essentials, or delivering contactless convenience,” the company said in a statement.
Subway also said that it has enhanced cleaning procedures and provided masks and protective shields for employees.
As part of the cleaning guidelines, restaurants must clean high-touch areas—door handles, counters, and credit cart terminals—each hour. In addition, customers and employees must abide by social distancing rules in the restaurant and the health of workers is checked prior to each shift.
To help the community Subway is partnering with Feeding America to provide 15 million meals to those in need. With the purchase of every Footlong through April 30 for takeout, catering and delivery, Subway will provide a meal to Feeding America. Through the end of the month, Subway is donating 10 cents for every Footlong sold.
That’s in addition to the large number of food items Subway has donated across the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Latin America, New Zealand, and the U.S.
The brand is offering free delivery through its third-party providers and participating restaurants are offering a Family Takeout Special that includes a free Footlong when a customer buys two Footlongs.
“For 55 years, Subway has been a part of communities across the globe, helping them grow and thrive,” the company said. “Even during these challenging times, we will continue to build on that tradition and work to meet your needs because we believe, together, we will emerge from this stronger than before.”
