Post AIyvz5heG4bPRN1WiG by dajbelshaw@fosstodon.org
(DIR) More posts by dajbelshaw@fosstodon.org
(DIR) Post #AIyvuemQPo1UmY8xTk by urusan@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T17:32:07Z
2 likes, 0 repeats
Thinking about the Subway chain restaurant as "sandwich shops" misses the point about what they're actually selling and why they've been so popular for so long.In reality, Subway is America's most popular bakery. They sell fresh baked bread.Everything else they're selling could be replicated at home relatively easily. Only keeping a wide variety of fresh vegetables on hand is somewhat difficult.Baking a fresh loaf of bread daily though, that's a massive pain to DIY.
(DIR) Post #AIyvz5heG4bPRN1WiG by dajbelshaw@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T17:32:57Z
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@urusan Except it's not really 'bread'https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/irish-court-rules-subway-bread-is-not-bread
(DIR) Post #AIyx2Hy3DPPOIjmhRw by urusan@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T17:44:45Z
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@dajbelshaw True, though really this is a symptom of the problems with the US food system. So much sugar has been added to stuff, that this kind of cake-y/brioche-y bread is the norm here. It's not really that different from what is (mostly) sold in other stores or bakeries.To find real bread, you either need to know what you're looking for or do it yourself.
(DIR) Post #AIyxVOcVYnfxKcaTy4 by matched@mastodon.earth
2022-04-30T17:49:59Z
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@urusan They're not selling the bread without any stuff on it, however...
(DIR) Post #AIyxymedHRyYGpauEi by urusan@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T17:55:19Z
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@matched Yup, I'm sure that's why they bill themselves as a sandwich shop.It's still their primary value-add though, it's what has kept them so popular throughout the years, even though we could make our sandwiches at home.I'm assuming that the higher margin on sandwiches is why they don't sell their bread directly (or if you did insist on unadulterated Subway bread they'd probably ring you up for a veggie sandwich).
(DIR) Post #AIyygbVM5zwsQr9MUS by matched@mastodon.earth
2022-04-30T18:03:13Z
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@urusan My main reason to buy at Subway's is that I *never* have all the stuff at home that I would need to make a sandwich. I don't go there because of the bread. There are plenty of shops that sell ready-made sandwiches, too.
(DIR) Post #AIz1jwEvl8v1TKkVAe by urusan@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T18:37:27Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@matched True, this is another value add of theirs. As is not having to assemble the sandwich yourself, not having to plan things out, them having an air fryer on hand to toast the sandwiches, cleaning up everything for you, etc.I'm just saying that the labor cost of baking fresh bread every day towers above all the rest of those things, even sourcing and preparing the vegetables.
(DIR) Post #AIz2FBxDNsH1BbMicS by matched@mastodon.earth
2022-04-30T18:43:06Z
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@urusan I'm quite sure that it's not so much work for them. I would not expect that they go through the whole process of bread production like a real bakery does (including getting up in the middle of the night). Prove me wrong, but I expect that Subway restaurants are provided with ready-made dough pieces that just need to be baked.
(DIR) Post #AIz2WtO59YaCobNAIa by matched@mastodon.earth
2022-04-30T18:46:17Z
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@urusan Besides, Subway is way too slow most of the time. When I have to catch a train, e.g., I prefer a real bakery where I can select from ready made sandwiches and baguettes - and I'm done in a minute.
(DIR) Post #AIz3ipGSPMDTSP3npg by urusan@fosstodon.org
2022-04-30T18:59:39Z
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@matched Just because it's easy for them doesn't mean it's easy for their customers.
(DIR) Post #AIz3o0dFZSBIA3C2QS by matched@mastodon.earth
2022-04-30T19:00:31Z
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@urusan Just because bread comes out doesn't mean it's a bakery.