Sandwich chain to create 6,000 jobs

Sandwich chain Subway has announced it is to create 6,000 jobs over the next three years.

The fast food franchise - famed for its foot-long submarine rolls - will open 600 new branches in the UK and Ireland by 2015, its president and co-founder Fred DeLuca said today.

Subway has expanded rapidly in the past seven years, increasing the number of stores in the UK by 500% to 1,423. There are currently 99 in Ireland, with the latest period of expansion taking the combined number of outlets to more than 2,000.

"We are particularly proud of the fact that over the years the Subway brand has been able to provide entrepreneurs with business opportunities where they can open and operate their own small business and provide great food, exceptional customer service and job opportunities in their communities," said Mr DeLuca.

The company, which was was founded in 1965 and has branches in 98 countries, has also agreed to display calorie information on all its menu boards and will sign a pledge with the Government today.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "One in six meals are now eaten outside the home and for those meals we often have no idea how many calories we are eating.

"That's why it's great to see that Subway have signed up to this commitment as part of the Responsibility Deal, which will help customers know the calories in their favourite foods and think about the choices they're making."

There are now over 9,500 food outlets which have agreed to provide calorie labelling this year.

PA