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Subway offers protein bowls for first time, makes them permanentSubway offers protein bowls for first time, makes them permanent

Sandwich chain partners with NFL’s Marshawn Lynch and Keenan Allen for related teen athlete promotion

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 5, 2021

2 Min Read
Subway Protein Bowls
Subway began offering protein bowls in late December.Subway

Subway plans to extend the bowl season into a year-round menu event.

For the first time, the Milford, Conn.-based sandwich brand in late December began offering protein bowls on its menus in addition to its traditional sandwiches.

A Subway spokesperson said that, at select locations, the brand is offering 11 signature protein bowls based on some of its most popular menu items.

“Guests are able to build any Footlong into a protein bowl with the same portion of protein, vegetables, cheese and sauce, just without the bread,” the spokesperson said, noting that excludes the Veggie Delite. “Each bowl can be customized to match guest preferences.”

The protein bowls start at $6.99 and can be customized for an additional cost. In addition, for a limited time, Subway is offering to upgrade Footlongs and protein bowls for $2, which includes double meat portions.

Subway said the protein bowls are a permanent addition to its menu, but the $2 double protein upgrade is available only for a limited time only at participating restaurants.

To promote the new protein bowls, Subway has partnered with Marshawn Lynch, the National Football League running back.

Lynch is featured in television commercials as well as social and digital advertising promoting new protein-packed “Go Pro” choices and helping aspiring pros through the Subway Pro Teen Awards.  

Lynch teamed with NFL wide receiver Keenan Allen for the Pro Teen Awards, which ae geared toward high school athletes who had to forgo the football season because of the ongoing pandemic. 

Beginning Jan. 15, high school football players, coaches and parents can submit a video of the best pro moves — catches, tackles, throws or kicks. Twenty winning players will be selected to receive a personalized video from Lynch, an invitation to attend a virtual awards event with Allen and a $1,500 scholarship from Subway.

According to the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 200 census, Subway had estimated U.S. systemwide sales of $10.2 billion in the fiscal year ended December 2019, down from $10.4 billion in the preceding year. The brand ended 2019 with an estimated 23,801 U.S. units, all franchised, down from 24,798 in the preceding year.

Senior Editor Bret Thorn contributed to this report.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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