Brian Nagele
Two of the largest franchises in the sub sandwich business are Subway and Jersey Mike’s. Both restaurants provide a wide range of dishes with fresh ingredients and a selection of breads. However, there are some obvious distinctions between the two that can influence where you decide to get your next sub.
With more than 40,000 locations globally, Subway has been around since 1965 and has established itself as a household name.
In contrast, Jersey Mike’s is a relatively young participant in the market; it was established in 1956 but has only recently begun to grow quickly, already having over 2,000 outlets in the US alone.
While Jersey Mike’s takes pride in its premium ingredients and freshly baked bread, Subway is known for its accessibility and affordability.
Key Takeaways
- Subway and Jersey Mike’s are two of the biggest chains in the sub sandwich industry.
- Subway is known for its affordability and convenience, while Jersey Mike’s prides itself on its high-quality ingredients and freshly baked bread.
- When choosing between the two, consider your priorities: affordability and convenience or high-quality ingredients and freshness.
History of Subway and Jersey Mike’s
Subway’s Origin
Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck created Subway, one of the biggest sandwich chains in the world, in August 1965.
The company, which was originally called “Pete’s Super Submarines,” was founded with a $1,000 loan from Dr. Buck. Bridgeport, Connecticut saw the opening of the first location, which was renamed “Subway” in 1968.
The name was selected since it was simple to recall and had an alluring sound.
The founders wanted to give consumers on the road access to fresh, inexpensive, and healthy food options.
The range of sandwiches, salads, and sides on the Subway menu are highlighted by fresh ingredients and customisation.
Since then, the network has grown to nearly 44,000 sites in more than 100 nations.
Jersey Mike’s Beginning
A high school student named Mike started Jersey Mike’s Subs in 1956 when he launched a modest sandwich store in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
The storefront was where the establishment, which was first known as Mike’s Subs, was situated.
The store was renamed Jersey Mike’s Subs after Mike sold it to a friend of the family called John in the 1970s.
Since being acquired by Peter Cancro in 1975 when he was just 17 years old, Jersey Mike’s has rapidly grown to include more than 2,000 locations around the country.
The restaurant brand is renowned for its premium ingredients, freshly made bread, and classic submarine sandwiches.
A high school student started Jersey Mike’s Subs in 1956. Both Subway and Jersey Mike’s have a long tradition of offering consumers fresh, customizable sandwiches.
Jersey Mike’s has a devoted following and a reputation for using high-quality ingredients, despite Subway having a more widespread global influence.
Menu Comparison
There are a few significant distinctions between Subway and Jersey Mike’s menus that should be taken into account.
Here is a list of some of the key menu items that both chains offer:
Sandwiches
There are sandwiches for vegetarians, carnivores, and everyone in between at both Subway and Jersey Mike’s.
There are, however, a few obvious distinctions between the two chains.
With Subway’s “build-your-own” sandwich option, you can choose the bread, meat, cheese, and toppings for your sandwich.
This enables a great deal of customisation, but if you select a lot of toppings, your sandwich may end up being more expensive.
On the other side, Jersey Mike’s offers a variety of pre-made sandwiches with less customizing options.
However, they provide a greater selection of meats and cheeses, and their sandwiches are typically larger than Subway’s.
Sides and Drinks
For your sandwich’s accompaniment, Subway and Jersey Mike’s both have a variety of sides and beverages. Here is a list of what to anticipate:
- Subway offers chips, cookies, and fountain drinks as their main sides. They also have a selection of bottled drinks and bottled water available.
- Jersey Mike’s offers chips, cookies, and fountain drinks as well. They also have a selection of bottled drinks and bottled water available, but they also offer freshly brewed iced tea.
Prices
When it comes to pricing, there are a few key differences between Subway and Jersey Mike’s:
- Subway’s prices tend to be lower overall, particularly for their smaller sandwiches. However, if you choose a lot of toppings or a larger sandwich, the price can quickly add up.
- Jersey Mike’s prices tend to be higher overall, but their sandwiches are generally larger and come with more meat and cheese. They also offer a wider variety of sandwiches, which can make it easier to find something you like.
Overall, there are many different sandwiches and sides to pick from at both Subway and Jersey Mike’s.
Subway offers more customization possibilities but can be more expensive, whereas Jersey Mike’s offers larger sandwiches and a wider selection of meats and cheeses but can be more expensive all around.
Quality and Taste
Both Subway and Jersey Mike’s give customers a range of alternatives in terms of taste and quality. There are, however, some significant differences between the two.
Sandwiches at Subway can be customized. You have a variety of options for bread, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces.
Additionally, they provide a selection of breads, such as Italian, wheat, and honey oat. The pre-cooked, pre-sliced meats at Subway might not be as fresh as those at Jersey Mike’s.
Sandwiches from Subway often have fewer calories and fat than those from Jersey Mike’s.
Conversely, although Jersey Mike’s has a smaller assortment of sandwiches, they are nevertheless crafted using premium ingredients.
Because their meats are freshly cut on-site, they have a more genuine flavor. White, wheat, and rosemary parmesan bread are among the options available at Jersey Mike’s.
Compared to Subway, their sandwiches are frequently larger and fuller.
Both Subway and Jersey Mike’s have their advantages in terms of flavor.
Sandwiches from Subway are renowned for their dependability and regularity.
Although they might not have the most flavor, these sandwiches are a nice choice for those looking for a quick and wholesome dinner.
Contrarily, Jersey Mike’s sandwiches are renowned for their strong flavors and natural ingredients. Although their sandwiches are more decadent and filling than Subway’s, they might not be as healthful.
Overall, Jersey Mike’s and Subway both provide tasty sandwiches with different strengths.
It totally depends on your preferences and how you’re feeling. Subway is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for a quick and wholesome dinner.
The best place to get a more opulent and tasty sandwich is Jersey Mike’s.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional content of fast-food sandwiches should be taken into account.
On their websites, Subway and Jersey Mike’s both include nutritional information, making it simple for you to make wise decisions.
With its “Eat Fresh” slogan and focus on fresh vegetables, Subway has long positioned itself as a healthier fast-food option.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that not every Subway sandwich is the same. The chain’s sandwiches can include significant amounts of fat, sodium, and calories.
On the other hand, Jersey Mike’s is renowned for its fine meats and just-baked bread.
Although the sandwiches from the chain might be pretty tasty, they can also be quite excessive in calories, sodium, and fat.
Before making a choice regarding a particular sandwich, it is crucial to review the nutritional facts.
For instance, a 6-inch Subway Club sandwich contains 310 calories and 4.5 grams of fat, compared to a 6-inch Veggie Delite sandwich’s 230 calories and 2.5 grams of fat.
On the other hand, the Jersey Mike’s Original Italian sandwich boasts a whopping 940 calories and 53 grams of fat.
The Club Supreme sandwich from the franchise has 87 grams of fat and 1,170 calories.
In general, Subway and Jersey Mike’s both offer sandwiches that are lower in calories and fat if you’re searching for a healthier option.
However, it’s crucial to carefully examine the nutritional information and make informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is healthier: Subway or Jersey Mike’s?
Subway is generally considered to be the healthier option between the two. They offer a “Fresh Fit” menu that includes sandwiches with fewer than 400 calories and 6 grams of fat. They also have options for vegetarians and those who are gluten-free. Jersey Mike’s, on the other hand, does not have a specific menu for those with dietary restrictions. However, they do offer a “Sub in a Tub” option that allows you to turn any sandwich into a salad, which can be a healthier choice.
Which has better quality ingredients: Subway or Jersey Mike’s?
Both Subway and Jersey Mike’s use fresh ingredients, but Jersey Mike’s is known for using higher quality meats and cheeses. They slice their meats and cheeses fresh in-store every day, whereas Subway uses pre-sliced meats and cheeses. Additionally, Jersey Mike’s bread is baked fresh in-store every day, whereas Subway bread is partially baked before being shipped to stores.
Which is more affordable: Subway or Jersey Mike’s?
Subway is generally considered to be the more affordable option between the two. They have a variety of sandwich options that start at around $5. Jersey Mike’s sandwiches start at around $7. However, Jersey Mike’s sandwiches are generally larger and come with more toppings, so you may be getting more value for your money.
Which has better customer service: Subway or Jersey Mike’s?
This can vary depending on the location, but in general, Jersey Mike’s is known for having better customer service than Subway. They are known for being friendly and efficient, and they often go above and beyond to make sure their customers are satisfied. Subway, on the other hand, has been criticized for having slow service and unhelpful staff at some locations.
Conclusion
There are some factors to take into account when deciding between Subway and Jersey Mike’s.
Both chains provide a wide selection of subs and toppings, but there are some significant differences in flavor and quality that could influence your choice.
Freshly sliced meats and cheeses produced to order every day are what Jersey Mike’s is famous for.
This focus on the little things yields a sandwich of greater caliber and richer flavor.
Additionally, the bread is freshly made on-site, which enhances the sandwich’s overall freshness.
However, Subway allows you more customization of your sandwich because to its wider selection of toppings and sauces.
Their meats and cheeses, however, are not as fresh as those at Jersey Mike’s and are pre-sliced. Furthermore, their bread is not made on-site, which can make the sandwich less fresh.
The cost is another factor. Although Jersey Mike’s sandwiches may cost a little more than those from Subway, they are of higher quality and taste.
The rewards program that Jersey Mike’s provides can also help you save money on future purchases.
Subway slices their meats too.