The Real Faces of Subway are Located Inside
They go by names such as Joe, Ketan, Colin, Mitchell, Udo, Jung-Won, Susan, Burak, Antonio and 20,000 others around the globe. These are Subway franchise owners. These individuals are members of our community, coaches, friends and family. They, along with their employees are the real faces of Subway. Much has been made over the past 24 hours over the former spokesman for the company, but the real spokespeople in my mind are those who serve sandwiches each day. They are hardworking people simply trying to make ends meat. Oh, I mean meet! Maybe I'm getting hungry.
They deserve our support.
Like many of you, and I am horrified at what Jared Fogel has admitted to. As a parent, I am upset that there is a plea deal in place. I would prefer someone like this to spend their entire life in jail. I could only imagine that prosecutors decided to offer a plea to protect the innocent children that this predator went after. I would also guess that many of the Subway franchisees and people within Subway corporation feel similarly. They too are parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. They are human and in many ways it is normal to have this reaction when someone hurts the children who are so precious to us.
Much will be discussed about the connection between Subway and Jared. Marketers will question having a brand connected so closely to a single person. In my view this is placing too much credence on commercials and spokespeople. As a Consumer, I place more emphasis on what I want and when I want it. I personally love great service, which I regularly experienced at Subway franchises. It is this service that brings me back, not seeing a commercial with someone like Jared or a jingle for a footlong.
It is about time that we understand that the most powerful people within our brand are the ones who serve Customers daily, not someone sitting atop some high rise, or some celebrity getting paid way too much money to hock the product on TV or social media. Everyday employees (and franchisees), as well as other Customers are the ones who influence our decisions. They are the ones who deserve the accolades for the success. They are the true spokespeople for the brand!
I, for one, will continue to support my local Subway franchise, because their hard work earned my support.
UPDATE: Today my family and I bought lunch at our local subway. Here are the real faces of Subway:
Owner at Jennifer M Gifford Photography
9 年I have to say Thank You Frank! I was on the fence on whether I should comment or not, being I am a Subway employee & plan to be a future Franchisee. I have been hovering over the internet sense the Jared fiasco began, quivering at the thought that what my family has worked so hard for, for the past 20+ years will be thrown all away because of the disgraceful actions of one man. Thank you for shining a light on the people who really matter at Subway!!!
Sr. Account Director | In-House Agency Management | Marketing
9 年Thanks Frank for your thoughtful commentary. I agree that the thousands Subway employees are not a representation for the horrendous acts of one person. Also agree most of us (admittedly or not), place more emphasis on what we want and when we want it.
I'm not a big fan of Subway's sandwiches, but my granddaughter loves them and I've always found the service to be quite good. The local franchise is where the rubber meets the road.
I Bring in Money and Protect Relationships
9 年Sorry, but no. At first I excused Subway for the Fogle scandal, but now that we have learned his sexual ethics issues go all the way back to college, that makes the Subway company negligent for not doing a proper background check. The brand is seriously damaged, and it's not going to go away through spin. But you mentioned the crew. Not a good idea. I've been to Subway a few times in the last several years, and was ALWAYS disappointed by the food's quality and the service by the 'crew'. Sparse meat, bread that may have been fresh but which was tough and flavorless, and wilted greens like lettuce and onions. Just poor on all counts. Subway is far below the top shelf of sandwich restaurants, because of poor quality and lousy service. The Fogle fiasco only reinforces the failure.