Key Points
- Subway and Jersey Mike's are two of the largest sandwich chains in the US, with Subway operating over 35,000 locations worldwide and Jersey Mike's operating over 3,300 locations across the US and Canada.
- Jersey Mike's has seen significant growth in recent years, with its US system-wide sales reaching over $4 billion in 2025, while Subway's domestic location count has declined every year since its 2015 peak.
- A taste test of similar sandwiches at both chains found that Jersey Mike's offered more value to customers, with a similar cold club sandwich and hot Philly cheesesteak costing around $8.50 at Jersey Mike's compared to around $10.50 at Subway.
The Battle for Sandwich Supremacy
For years, Subway was the undisputed king of sandwich chains. But with its decline in recent years, Jersey Mike's has emerged as a major competitor. In this article, we'll compare the taste and value of both chains to see which one comes out on top.
Subway operates over 35,000 locations worldwide, but its domestic location count has declined every year since its 2015 peak. In contrast, Jersey Mike's has seen significant growth, with its US system-wide sales reaching over $4 billion in 2025.
We ordered a similar cold club sandwich, hot Philly cheesesteak, and chocolate-chip cookie at both chains to see which one offered more value to customers. The results were surprising, with Jersey Mike's offering a similar cold club sandwich and hot Philly cheesesteak for around $8.50 compared to around $10.50 at Subway.
At a Glance
| Subway | 35,000 locations worldwide |
| Jersey Mike's | 3,300 locations across the US and Canada |
| Subway's US system-wide sales | $9.2 billion 2025 estimate |
| Jersey Mike's US system-wide sales | $4 billion 2025 estimate |
| Subway's domestic location count | 19,000 2025 estimate |
| Jersey Mike's IPO | $1 billion 2026 |
Why Subway's Decline May Be a Blessing in Disguise
The Rise of Jersey Mike's
Jersey Mike's has been on a tear in recent years, with its US system-wide sales reaching over $4 billion in 2025. This growth has been driven by the chain's expansion into new markets, including the US and Canada.
Subway's Decline
Subway's decline in recent years has been a major story in the fast food industry. The chain's domestic location count has declined every year since its 2015 peak, and its US system-wide sales have fallen to around $9.2 billion in 2025.
The Taste Test
We ordered a similar cold club sandwich, hot Philly cheesesteak, and chocolate-chip cookie at both chains to see which one offered more value to customers. The results were surprising, with Jersey Mike's offering a similar cold club sandwich and hot Philly cheesesteak for around $8.50 compared to around $10.50 at Subway.
What It Means for Consumers
What It Means for Consumers
For consumers, the rise of Jersey Mike's is good news. The chain offers a similar cold club sandwich and hot Philly cheesesteak for around $8.50 compared to around $10.50 at Subway. This means that consumers can get a similar meal at a lower price point.
However, it's worth noting that Subway still has a larger location count than Jersey Mike's, with over 35,000 locations worldwide compared to around 3,300 locations across the US and Canada.
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