Global sandwich company Subway needs more fresh produce suppliers to cater to its ever-expanding franchise base across Europe.
So said Mike Attwood, purchasing director of EIPC – Subway supply chain manager, speaking at FPJ Live in Warwickshire today (28 April).
Subway currently operates 4,300 outlets across Europe, and this is set to almost double by 2020.
It is the high fresh produce content that gives Subway sandwiches their point of difference from other fast food outlets, Attwood said.
Although Subway sandwiches require a limited range of fresh produce – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and shredded lettuce, outlets need high volumes delivered three times a week.
“New outlets are opening across the UK and Europe every year. My challenge for you guys is help me do this across Europe,” Attwood said. “We’re likely to have 7,000-8,000 stores in Europe by 2020. So help me! Help me buy more UK produce going forward! I’d like to buy more UK produce.”
EIPC has created supply programmes in a number of countries to procure safe, quality, traceable produce, he added.
“We need availability, safe, quality and traceable produce, produce that is easily accessible for franchisees,”Attwood said.
“The challenge we face is that we have 4,300 stores across Europe. They all need two to three deliveries per week.”
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