What's your favorite fast food?

[samhexum]

For me, it's Burger King, Wendy's & Subway. I go through the occasional Arby's & McDonald's phase.

 

For decades, the Subway sandwich chain was among the hottest restaurants in the world.

 

Its healthier-than-burgers menu, wallet-friendly $5 footlongs and go-anywhere store concept helped it grow from a small regional player into the world’s largest restaurant chain — whose 46,000 locations around the globe dwarf even McDonald’s and its 37,000 stores.

 

But in recent years, that growth engine has stalled.

 

Several marketing snafus — from pitchman Jared Fogle pleading guilty to possessing child porn to a lawsuit claiming its foot-long heroes measured just 11 inches — have turned off customers while rivals, like Jersey Mike’s, steal away customers.

 

Overall, sales at the privately held chain have fallen in each of the past two years, according to financial statements reviewed by The Post, and management is scrambling for an answer.

 

Chief Executive Suzanne Greco is pushing plans to spruce up the interiors of Subway’s somewhat dated decor, invest in technology and roll out a customer loyalty program.

 

But Subway ownership is on a totally different page.

 

Dr. Peter Buck, who lent his late pal Fred DeLuca $1,000 in 1965 to start the chain and who retains a 50 percent equity stake, would rather see Subway buy or develop a sub-brand to better battle the Jersey Mike’s of the world, the reclusive co-founder told The Post.

 

“How about opening four brand new sub-chains?” the rarely quoted Buck said in a telephone interview from his Connecticut home. The 86-year old co-founder is obviously not happy that same-store sales since 2013, according to Restaurant Research, have fallen a total of 13 percent.

 

Buck knows something has to be done as Subway faces the most daunting challenge in its 50 years.

 

Subway still controls 76 percent of the US sub sandwich market space, according to Restaurant Research — but that is down from 82 percent in 2013.

 

“Other fast growing sub sandwich chains compete by offering more premium sandwiches with quality meats and abundant portions, proving that today’s consumers are willing to pay more for higher-end options,” Restaurant Research said in a report.

 

But pushing through change will be tough. DeLuca died two years ago from leukemia and his 50 percent stake passed to his widow, Elizabeth, whose interest, according to Buck, is in maintaining the status quo and not spending money on expansion — be it in Subway or in a sub-brand.

 

That leaves Greco, the younger sister of DeLuca, hand-picked by the late CEO to run the chain, caught in the middle — wanting to make changes but almost powerless to do so.

 

Greco, a former Subway purchasing executive and sandwich developer, does not own stock in the company. Putting further pressure on Greco is that Buck, who has known the 59-year executive since she was in grade school, never saw her as being CEO-caliber, he told The Post.

 

Greco, like Buck, is rather press shy and rarely grants interviews or appears at industry conferences. But earlier this month, after a Q&A at her alma mater, Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, Conn,. she spoke excitedly about renovating the stores and bringing more technology to the sandwich-ordering process.

 

“We have some beautiful new restaurants and are really excited about our new décor and technology,” Greco told the roughly 750 students who attended the Q&A.

 

Dressed in a smart black dress accented with a string of pearls, Greco was also jazzed about the soon-to-launch customer loyalty program that, she hoped, could reignite sales growth from the chain’s 7.5 million orders.

 

“I have known and loved Dr. Buck for most of my life, and we talk all the time,” Greco told The Post in a statement. “My focus is on the transformation of the Subway brand here in the US and around the world. This business was founded by my brother and Dr. Buck, and the model they created — a low-cost franchise offering fresh, nutritious, affordably priced sandwiches — is just as valid and exciting today as it was more than 50 years ago.”

 

But a long-time Subway franchisee told The Post that technical problems have long delayed the roll-out of the loyalty program.

 

“The loyalty program is a year behind, with many false starts,” the franchisee told The Post. “A reason is that it hasn’t been able to work yet because of software difficulties, including the corporate platform not talking to the store point of sale systems.”

 

As such, there is a growing concern among franchisees that management is not up to the task of turning around the business.

 

The company said it was very much on top of the issue.

 

“Subway Digital was created in June 2016 to deliver digital products and experiences to our guests,” Carissa Gianelli, Subway’s chief digital officer, said in a statement. “Since then we have launched a variety of digital products including digital menu boards, kiosks, a Facebook messenger bot, and a new app. We continue to innovate and have much more planned in the coming months.”

[samhexum]

I originally posted this in the wrong category & got one reply there:

 

Chipotle. I also like Gyros places.

[+ Avalon]

Taco Bell

[Ghadd]

Tim Hortons.

[jjkrkwood]

Popeye's Fried Chicken

[Epigonos]

I live in Southern California thus a very easy question to answer - In-N-Out. I'm addicted

[samhexum]

Popeye's Fried Chicken

 

The location nearest to me has had the 'y' and second 'e' broken for months, so it's POPE'S Fried Chicken. The taste IS heavenly!

[Mo Mason]

I feel terrible for saying this, but... Chick-Fil-A. I love their chicken sandwich.

[bigvalboy]

I miss In-N-Out in SoCal

[dixietony]

Taco Bell.

[samhexum]

I feel terrible for saying this, but... Chick-Fil-A. I love their chicken sandwich.

 

What about the waffle fries?

[wklucas]

I live in Southern California thus a very easy question to answer - In-N-Out. I'm addicted

 

In Arizona, In-N-Out too always a standby fave......for quick "Mexican" - Filibertos (the food itself - decent; their "help yourself/free" spicy, pickled veggies on the counters - v v tasty)

[+ poolboy48220]

I've been wanting to try Chick-Fil-A but they have not made many inroads into Michigan so far. And yes, I feel some shame at that.

 

KFC is a guilty favorite. Original recipe!

 

And I stop for breakfast at McDonald's on Wednesday mornings on my way to work. Sausage McGriddle, add cheese. They know me there now.

[bostonman]

I find that I'm not really eating much "classic" fast food lately (i.e. the real chains like McDonald's etc) - but for burgers either Wendy's or Burger King is good for me if I'm in the mood for that. Subway is ok, but there was a time about a decade ago maybe when there were a bunch of Quizno's locations in Boston (they've since died) and I found I really liked them better.

 

I live within walking distance of a KFC, but have never gone there in all these years that I've lived in this area. Not sure why lol. It's just not really on my radar somehow.

 

In terms of similar "trendy" fast-ish-food places that have opened in recent years, I'd say I love B. Good a lot - but very underwhelmed by Pret A Manger.

 

Chipotle is ok, but Boston has better in places like Herrerra's, and a wrap/frappe chain called Boloco.

 

Boston also has a Dunkin Donuts nearby everywhere you go, lol, though for coffee I'm admittedly more of a Starbucks boy. But, like Quizno's, there were a glut of Krispy Kremes in Boston about a decade ago, and man, I loved those donuts...

[marylander1940]

[+ pdxleo]

If IN-n-OUT would come any closer to Portland than their outlet in Medford, 260 miles south, I would be at least 30 pounds heavier!

[RyanDean]

Popeyes, all the way.

[+ Avalon]

Regarding In-n-Out Burger - several years ago I was out driving and was stopped at a red light, the driver's side window was down. The fellow stopped in the next lane, to my left, asked me where the local In-n-Out Burger place was.

[jjkrkwood]

I've been wanting to try Chick-Fil-A but they have not made many inroads into Michigan so far. And yes, I feel some shame at that.

 

KFC is a guilty favorite. Original recipe!

 

And I stop for breakfast at McDonald's on Wednesday mornings on my way to work. Sausage McGriddle, add cheese. They know me there now.

 

Chick-fil-A is good, but since I dont like their homophobe politics so I stick to my Old standby Popeye's, and its MUCH better than KFC. I've never flipped over anything from Micky D's, but the new Rodeo burger at Burger King is awesome.... (i think its the onion rings on it ?)

[JayCeeKy]

The location nearest to me has had the 'y' and second 'e' broken for months, so it's POPE'S Fried Chicken.

 

When I lived in L.A. I was amused when people would stick IN-n-OUT BURGER bumper stickers on their cars but would block out the "B" and second "R" to make it read "IN-n-OUT URGE"

[Good Grief]

Even though there's one in my hometown I always hope to arrive or leave from Concourse B at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta to have Popeye's there.

 

My usual fellow/hire and I had our final meal of a get-together there once before he went his way and I mine!

 

French fries from McDonald's are the best! Though don't ruin 'em with ketchup. IMO. Burger King's "flamed-grilled" burgers give me indigestion.

 

Don't like Chipotle - too much cilantro which tastes, to me, like soap. (Ask Ina Garten.)

[MartyB]

Popeye's Fried Chicken

Chick-fil-A is good, but since I dont like their homophobe politics so I stick to my Old standby Popeye's, and its MUCH better than KFC. I've never flipped over anything from Micky D's, but the new Rodeo burger at Burger King is awesome.... (i think its the onion rings on it ?)

Chick-fil-A is good, but since I dont like their homophobe politics so I stick to my Old standby Popeye's, and its MUCH better than KFC. I've never flipped over anything from Micky D's, but the new Rodeo burger at Burger King is awesome.... (i think its the onion rings on it ?)

I agree about fried chicken as my favorite fast food. Popeye's is good. There are some great places that aren't fast food who make some great fried chicken. Once had it with waffles..Now that's a meal. LoL

[Epigonos]

There is a Chick-Fil-A right near where I live but I absolutely REFUSE to patronize it. The owners are, I believe, Mormon and are headquartered in Utah. They are outspoken in their apposition to all the causes I'm for - abortion rights, same sex marriage and gun control. Not only are they outspoken but they are major donors to opposition groups that appose these causes.

 

Sorry about the incorrect information regarding Chick-Fil-A ownership. I don't know where I got it into my head that it was Mormon owner and headquartered in Utah. However, being headquartered in Georgia withEvangelical (Baptist?) ownership is much the same.

Edited October 26, 2017 by Epigonos

[bostonman]

There is a Chick-Fil-A right near where I live but I absolutely REFUSE to patronize it. The owners are, I believe, Mormon and are headquartered in Utah. They are outspoken in their apposition to all the causes I'm for - abortion rights, same sex marriage and gun control. Not only are the outspoken but they are major donors to opposition groups that appose these causes.

 

I can't even get past the oh-so-cutesy name, which looks to me more like it should be for chicken feed anyway (i.e. chicken filler, grade A?).

 

There aren't any of these in Boston proper at this point (the Mayor, and his predecessor, don't want them here - and good for them), and I feel no need to travel to one lol.

[Good Grief]

There is a Chick-Fil-A right near where I live but I absolutely REFUSE to patronize it. The owners are, I believe, Mormon and are headquartered in Utah. They are outspoken in their apposition to all the causes I'm for - abortion rights, same sex marriage and gun control. Not only are they outspoken but they are major donors to opposition groups that appose these causes.

 

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

 

Chick-fil-A (/tʃɪkfɪˈleɪ/ chik-fil-AY, a play on the American English pronunciation of "fillet") is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in the Atlanta district of College Park, Georgia, specializing in chicken sandwiches.[3][4] Founded in May 1946, it operates more than 2,200 restaurants, primarily in the United States. Chick-fil-A prides itself on its customer service and ingredient quality, two staples that set the chain apart from many others within the fast food industry. The restaurant serves breakfast before transitioning to its lunch and dinner menu. Chick-fil-A also offers customers catered selections from its menu for special events. [5] Many of the company's values are influenced by its founder's Southern Baptist beliefs;[6] all Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed for business on Sundays as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas.[6]

 

Not at all posting this as support to them. Being informative.

 

Don't agree with all the company's past/present/future stances. Enjoy the chicken, buns are usually soggy, pass on the waffle fries. They DO have the most helpful and attentive employees of any FF chain, hands-down.

 

They rarely fuck-up an order...