Subway is the largest fast-food chain in the United States and one of the top franchise opportunities in the world, with over 40,000 stores in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1965, Subway has since become a major global employer, hiring thousands of new workers each year.
If you‘re looking for an entry-level job in fast food, Subway is a popular place to start. With so many locations, there‘s likely to be a Subway near you that‘s hiring. But what does it really take to get a job at Subway? As a retail and consumer industry expert and advisor to picky job seekers, I‘ll give you the full scoop.
Subway Hiring Statistics
First, let‘s look at some data on Subway‘s workforce and hiring practices:
- Subway employs around 410,000 people worldwide, including 150,000 in the United States alone. (Source: Subway)
- The vast majority of Subway‘s employees (80-90%) work part-time. (Source: Bloomberg)
- Subway restaurants hire an average of 5-10 new employees per year to replace those who leave. (Source: Franchise Help)
- The employee turnover rate at Subway is estimated to be 50-60% per year, which is actually lower than the fast food industry average of 100-150%. (Source: World Market Media)
- A typical Subway restaurant has 8-12 employees, including 1-2 managers. (Source: Franchise Direct)
As these statistics show, Subway is constantly hiring at most of its locations simply to keep up with employee turnover. This is good news for job seekers, as it means there are frequently openings available. Subway‘s global scale also means that the hiring process is quite standardized across locations.
Subway Application Process
To start, head to the Careers page on Subway‘s website, or simply search "Subway jobs" and click on the first result. From there, you can search for open positions by keyword or location. You can also filter by job type:
- Restaurant Crew: entry-level positions including Sandwich Artist and team member
- Restaurant Management: shift manager, assistant manager, and store manager roles
- Corporate: professional jobs at Subway‘s headquarters in areas like marketing, finance, IT, HR, and more
Since most people reading this are likely interested in store-level jobs, let‘s focus on those. When you see a crew member or management job that interests you, hit "Apply Now" and fill out the online application.
The application will ask for your contact info, availability, education, and prior work experience. You can also upload a resume if you have one, but it‘s not required. Be sure to check for spelling and grammar errors before submitting.
One unique aspect of Subway is that each store is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. So even though you‘re applying through Subway‘s website, your application will be sent directly to the store owner or manager for that location. They are the one who will review it and make hiring decisions.
What Subway Looks For
As applications come in, Subway hiring managers evaluate candidates based on a few key criteria:
Availability: Managers want candidates who have open, flexible availability to work a variety of shifts, especially nights and weekends. Many Subways are open late (some even 24/7), so they need crew members willing to take those hours.
Reliability: Subway managers highly value dependability and conscientiousness. They want to hire employees who will show up on time for their scheduled shifts and can be trusted to work hard while they‘re there.
Customer service: Friendliness and people skills are a must, since crew members interact directly with customers. Managers look for candidates with positive attitudes who will greet customers with a smile and make them feel welcome.
Experience: While it‘s not a strict requirement for entry-level jobs, any prior experience in food service, retail, or customer service is a big plus. If you‘ve worked at another restaurant or coffee shop, be sure to mention that in your application.
These are the main things Subway managers focus on, but they also evaluate the overall impression you give in your application responses. Providing thoughtful, well-written answers can help you stand out. Managers want to see genuine interest in the job, not just someone looking for any old paycheck.
Subway Interview Process
If a manager likes your application, the next step is an interview. For team member positions, this is typically a one-on-one conversation with the store manager that lasts about 15-30 minutes. Some locations may do group interviews with multiple candidates.
Subway interviews tend to be pretty informal and conversational. The interviewer wants to get a sense of your personality and fit for the role. Here are some questions you can expect:
- Why do you want to work at Subway?
- What does good customer service mean to you?
- Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.
- What would you do if a customer complained about their order?
- How comfortable are you with handling money?
- When are you available to work?
Managers are looking for candidates who can speak positively about the Subway brand, are eager to learn, and seem like they would work well with others. Specific questions may vary by location, but most Subway interviews cover similar topics.
To make a great impression, here are some tips:
- Research Subway and think of a few reasons why you want to work there specifically
- Prepare examples and stories from past jobs/experiences that highlight your skills
- Show enthusiasm and express genuine interest in the opportunity
- Dress neatly and professionally, with minimal accessories or perfume/cologne
- Make good eye contact, smile, and practice active listening
After the interview, the manager will usually let you know when you can expect to hear back about their decision, if not during the interview itself. Subway‘s hiring process moves quickly, so it may only be a few days.
Subway Benefits and Perks
So what‘s in it for you as a Subway employee? In addition to being a fast-paced, customer-facing job where no two days are quite the same, Subway also offers some solid benefits:
Employee discounts: Subway employees enjoy discounted meals, typically 50% off, even when they‘re not working. Some locations also let you bring home excess food at the end of the night.
Paid training: Subway provides paid training for all new hires, so you‘ll earn while you learn. Training includes online modules through University of Subway as well as hands-on practice in the store.
Scheduling flexibility: Most Subways have a variety of shifts available and are willing to accommodate school/family schedules. You may be able to pick up extra hours or swap shifts with coworkers.
Healthcare: Eligible full-time employees (those working over 30 hours per week) can access health, dental, and vision insurance plans, though specific benefits vary by franchise.
401(k): Some Subway franchisees offer 401(k) retirement plans to employees over age 18 who meet the minimum hours requirement, which is typically 1,000 hours per year.
Tuition assistance: Subway partners with several universities to offer reduced tuition and scholarships to employees and their families.
Paid time off: Corporate stores and some franchisees provide vacation days, sick leave, and personal days to full-time workers.
However, keep in mind that benefits can vary significantly from store to store since 100% of Subway locations are franchised. Most Subway franchisees are individual small business owners. By law, they are only required to provide minimum wage, workers‘ comp, unemployment, and disability insurance.
Subway vs. Other Fast Food Jobs
Compared to other popular fast food chains, how does Subway stack up in terms of hiring requirements and employee benefits? Let‘s take a look:
McDonald‘s
- Hires at age 14 (with a work permit) for some positions, compared to Subway‘s minimum age of 16
- Requires no previous work experience for crew member roles
- Offers tuition assistance of up to $2,500 per year through its Archways to Opportunity program
- Provides paid time off and holiday pay to full-time employees
Burger King
- Hires at age 16 with no experience needed for entry-level positions
- Offers employee discounts on food, flexible scheduling, and promotion opportunities
- Select locations provide benefits like health insurance, 401(k) plans, and tuition assistance
Taco Bell
- Hires at age 16 for team member roles with little to no experience required
- Provides health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off for full-time employees working an average of 30+ hours per week
- Partners with Guild Education to offer employees discounted courses towards a degree
KFC
- Hires at age 16 for most positions, with some roles open to 15-year-olds in certain states
- Requires no prior experience for team member jobs
- Provides paid time off, health insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees
- Offers $20,000 college scholarships to select restaurant employees each year
As you can see, the basic hiring qualifications are very similar across these major fast food chains. For entry-level crew member jobs, you typically must be at least 16 years old with no previous experience needed.
Employee benefits are where things differ somewhat. Subway is on the lower end in terms of health insurance and 401(k) availability, but does provide good employee discounts and paid training. Tuition assistance is becoming an increasingly common benefit in the fast food world, with Subway offering it at select locations.
The Pros and Cons of Working at Subway
Before you fill out that Subway application, it‘s important to weigh both the upsides and downsides of the job. I asked current and former Subway employees what they liked and disliked about working there, and here‘s what they said:
The Pros:
"I liked being able to have a consistent schedule while in school since Subway was willing to work around my class times each semester." – Mark, former Sandwich Artist
"The best part of the job was my coworkers. We had a great team dynamic and always had each other‘s backs during rushes." – Jenna, former Subway Shift Leader
"I was able to move up pretty quickly from a Sandwich Artist to a manager role because I expressed interest and took on more responsibility. Subway rewards hard work." – Steven, Subway Store Manager
"Compared to other fast food places, I thought Subway had a good variety of healthy meal options for employees. It didn‘t feel like I was eating total junk on my breaks." – Andrea, former Subway employee
The Cons:
"Standing on my feet for 6-8 hour shifts was pretty physically tiring. Subway can be a workout, so I wouldn‘t recommend it if you have back problems or trouble standing for long periods." – John, former Sandwich Artist
"While I did get a chance to work a lot of hours, the inconsistent scheduling made it hard to plan things outside of work. My shift times varied a lot from week to week." – Emily, former Subway employee
"There‘s a lot of multitasking involved – taking orders, making sandwiches, restocking, cleaning, handling money. It can get overwhelming, especially when it‘s busy and you‘re short-staffed." – David, former Subway Shift Leader
"Dealing with rude customers was probably the worst part of the job. People can get really impatient and demanding, especially if their order is taking longer than usual." – Rachel, former Subway Sandwich Artist
These firsthand perspectives provide valuable insight into the realities of working at Subway. Every job has its pros and cons, and it‘s important to go in with realistic expectations.
If you‘re someone who enjoys fast-paced work, thrives in a team environment, and doesn‘t mind being on your feet most of the day, Subway could be a great fit. On the flip side, those who prefer a slower pace, more consistent scheduling, and less customer interaction may want to look elsewhere.
Is Subway Right For You?
Getting hired at Subway is a highly achievable goal for most people due to the company‘s steady hiring, minimal requirements, and thousands of locations worldwide. If you‘re a teen looking for your first job, a student seeking part-time work, or anyone who needs a flexible gig, it‘s absolutely worth applying.
While the pay may start near minimum wage for entry-level positions, Subway does offer decent benefits, employee discounts, and advancement opportunities. It can be a steppingstone to other jobs in food service or provide valuable customer service experience for wherever your career takes you.
To maximize your chances of landing the job, fill out your application thoughtfully, highlight any relevant experience, and show enthusiasm and positivity in your interview. If you put your best foot forward, you‘ll almost certainly get that Subway uniform.
Just remember that working in fast food does come with certain challenges – long hours on your feet, fast-paced multitasking, and sometimes difficult customers. Be honest with yourself about your ability to handle those aspects of the job.
At the end of the day, whether Subway is right for you depends on your personality, skills, and career goals. But if you‘re willing to work hard, learn quickly, and bring a smile to work (and to customers‘ faces), it can be a rewarding entry-level job.
What has your experience been with applying to or working at Subway? Do you have any other tips for job seekers? Let me know in the comments below!
