Milford-based Subway took quick action this week to push back at an episode of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” that criticized management of its franchises.
Show host Oliver took aim in Sunday’s episode at the sandwich chain’s products and its system for recruiting and managing franchisees. He also poked fun at Subway’s ad campaigns in Korea, even filming his own Korean-language melodrama set in a Subway shop.
In his conclusion, Oliver called for new regulations requiring more comprehensive financial disclosures to prospective franchisees.
Subway responded on Monday with a statement: “We worked extensively to help the producers understand that we have a new leadership team and a different approach to our business than we had in the past.”
The chain’s management now provides more support to the 20,000-plus operators of its 37,000 restaurants worldwide, the statement continued.
“We are concerned that the misleading characterizations made on ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ may have a negative impact on our franchisees,” the statement said.
The cable-TV critique comes as the chain seeks to rebrand and update its menu as part of its “Eat Fresh Refresh” campaign, launched last year by CEO John Chidsey.
In February, Subway reported strong sales for 2021 despite the pandemic, with the highest average unit volume since 2014 at its U.S. restaurants.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
