MILFORD, Conn. -- The Subway restaurant chain opened its 40,000th location at an AppleGreen petrol station in Ipswich, England.
The milestone opening further illustrates the strength and consistent growth of the Subway brand, which has opened 1,761 new locations around the world since the start of the year.
"This is certainly a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Subway team," said president and co-founder Fred DeLuca, who opened the brand's first sandwich shop on Aug. 28, 1965. "I am proud to be part of a team that provides thousands of jobs for people at our restaurants, field offices, headquarters and partner offices around the world."
This milestone puts the Subway brand far ahead of its competitors in the quick-service-restaurant industry. Of the top QSR chains, the next closest is more than 5,500 locations behind the Subway brand. Beyond that, the next three are between 21,000 and 33,000 behind.
The UK is the brand's third-largest market, behind the United States and Canada.
Meanwhile, Subway will add garlic bread to its menu. Not a side order of garlic bread sold separately, but subs sold on sandwiches made with garlic bread, according to a USA Today report.
The move is scheduled to be announced on Monday, and the garlic bread will roll out nationally Sept. 1.
Based in Milford, Conn., the Subway brand was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965.
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