Even before the public face of Subway became embroiled in a child pornography scandal, the nation’s largest fast food chain was facing sagging sales and concerns from franchisees about management. The company is now hoping a new look and refreshed menu can help put Subway back on track.

Citing people close to the matter, The New York Post reports that Subway plans to reveal a rebranding effort in 2016.

The 50-year-old Connecticut-based chain is reportedly considering redesigning the look of not only its stores and employee uniforms but its ever-changing menu.

While a spokesperson for the company says it is taking a “multifaceted” approach to improving operations, they offered few details other than to note Subway would offer staff training and new products.

The rebranding comes as the company has faced several setbacks in recent years.

According to the most recent QSR 50 report, which compares growth and sales at the nation’s largest fast-food companies, Subway has some 27,000 locations (all franchisee-owned), by far the most stores of any chain.

At the same time, its $475,000 per-store earnings were the second-worst in the report.

 

In addition to less-than-stellar sales, the company has had to deal with its fair share of controversy.

Most recently, longtime Subway spokesman Jared Fogel entered guilty pleas on child porn-related charges. The company had already suspended its relationship with Fogel during the criminal investigation.

Back in 2014, Subway faced backlash after a report showed that it used Azodicarbonamide – a chemical that is used to improve elasticity in bread but that also shows up in things like yoga mats – in its breads.

The company quickly announced it would stop using the chemical, and in June 2015 pledged to remove all artificial ingredients from its menu by 2017.

Subway preparing ‘multifaceted’ facelift amid slumping sales [The New York Post]

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