Beleaguered fast-food chain Subway wants to reinvent itself as a roadside ‘oasis’ — complete with EV charging stations, picnic tables and playgrounds as company seeks a $10 billion buyout
Sandwich giant Subway is reinventing the electric car filling station with a roadside oasis featuring charging ports, Wi-Fi, picnic tables and playgrounds.
The company shared an image of the concept on Tuesday, showing a separate structure close to the restaurant where electric cars can be plugged in to charge while drivers enjoy their foot-long sandwiches.
The announcement comes as Subway looks for a new buyer for its franchise and hopes the addition can entice a new owner to pay the $10 billion asking price.
While Subway is a household name for fast food sandwiches, the company’s popularity has declined over the years due to a series of scandals and other marketing mistakes that have resulted in more than 1,000 locations closing in the past two years.
Subway announced Tuesday that it will build electric car charging stations with playgrounds, Wi-Fi and picnic tables all over the U.S.
Subway has more than 37,000 restaurants in 100 countries and Restaurant Brands International, the Toronto-based parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, could be a potential buyer.
California-based FAT Brands, a global franchise company, is another corporate buyer acquiring and converting fast food chains.
The buyout move follows a string of scandals, including the conviction for pedophilia of former longtime spokesperson Jared Fogle and a lawsuit alleging that Subway’s “100% tuna” is a fake – a claim the company has denied.
Now it seems Subway is looking to greener pastures with electric car charging stations that provide amenities for families in hopes of reviving its once-familiar name.
In partnership with GenZ EV Solutions, a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, Subway is providing a more seamless experience for EV drivers by installing Subway Oasis charging parks at select locations.
This includes multi-port charging canopies, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, restrooms, landscaping, and playgrounds.
As part of a multi-year plan to roll out the Subway Oasis, smaller, fast EV charging stations will be tested in new or remodeled restaurants starting in 2023.
The number of stations is not yet known.
Starbucks also supplies Volvo-branded EV charging stations in Washington and Oregon
Mike Kappitt, Subway’s Chief Operating and Insights Officer, said in a statement: “We are constantly exploring new ways to innovate and exceed our guests’ expectations for a high-quality, convenient experience.
“Our partnership with GenZ EV Solutions is a win for our guests, our franchisees and our planet by creating a dedicated space for drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying their favorite Subway sandwich.”
Starbucks is another chain that offers charging stations – the coffee maker announced the infrastructure rollout last year.
Locations include Seattle, Issaquah and Yakima in Washington and Hermiston and La Grande in Oregon.
The plan is to install the chargers approximately every 100 miles along the route, which spans 2,350 miles.
ChargePoint will power the stations.
According to Volvo, which works with Starbucks, it takes about 40 minutes for one of its electric cars with a 20 percent battery to reach a 90 percent charge.