Subway Named QSR Brand of the Year for 9th Straight Year

MILFORD, Conn. -- Subway earned the title of "Brand of the Year" in the quick-service restaurant category for the ninth year in a row, according to the Harris Poll EquiTrend study conducted by Harris Interactive.

This annual study surveys more than 38,000 American consumers to gauge their perceptions of 1,500-plus brands in more than 155 categories. After measuring the level of quality, familiarity and purchase consideration for each brand, Harris awards "Brand of the Year" status to the top-ranked brand in each category.

"Receiving such high marks from consumers and being recognized by the well-respected Harris Poll study certainly indicates that we have been on the right path," said Suzanne Greco, Subway’s vice president of research & development and operations. "The combination of excellent service, great-tasting sandwiches and salads, healthier options, convenience and all at a good value are cornerstones of the Subway experience, and we continually hear from our customers that these are factors they consider to be most important when deciding where to eat."

Subway sets itself apart by offering an alternative to traditional fast food; it was among the first brands to offer nutritional transparency, providing calorie, sodium and fat content of menu items, according to the announcement.

Subway is also a sponsor of the American Heart Association's American Heart Walks and was the first restaurant chain to earn the American Heart Association's Heart Check certification for having heart healthy meals, a program designed to help consumers make smarter meal choices while dining away from home.

Additionally, Subway was recognized by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the NYC Department of Health for achieving the National Salt Reduction Initiative's sodium targets for 2012 and making a commitment to achieve the goals for 2014. The company has already reduced the sodium content of its Fresh Fit sandwiches by 28 percent, and reduced the sodium content by 25 percent across its whole menu.

Subway plans to continue its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through sustainable operations such as packaging improvements, distribution efficiencies, increased energy and water conservation, and waste reduction.