Subway to create 1,300 jobs in two years

Sandwich franchise Subway is aiming to create 1,300 new jobs by 2010 with the opening of 119 new stores, the company said today.

The chain claims it has overtaken McDonald's in this country, opening more than 181 outlets compared with the global fast food chain’s 97 stores.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan welcomed the announcement and noted the expansion had already started with stores opening today in Dublin and Armagh.

“I am particularly pleased that nearly all the food produce used by Subway is sourced in Ireland, which should ultimately lead to further job creation in the food supply and distribution sectors," she said.

Subway founder and chief executive Fred DeLuca said the success of the Subway chain in Ireland had been "phenomenal" and attributed that to a strong franchise system and "entrepreneurial spirit".

According to the company, it is currently opening an average of five stores in Britain and Ireland each week. Subway, which was established by Mr DeLuca and Dr Peter Buck in 1965, has more than 30,000 stores in over 87 countries worldwide. It was ranked as the top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine in 2008.