This was particularly true for Which Wich regulars when the restaurant first launched in 2003, but by the year 2022, things had changed.
Which Wich
At the height of its success in 2007, Quiznos, one of the first sandwich companies to sell toasted subs, saw systemwide sales of $1.9 billion.
Quiznos
Prior to that, from the 1980s to the early 1990s, Subway was rapidly growing and was on its way to being the biggest fast-food chain in the world.
Subway
When foot traffic slowed down, the firm, which prospered in locations in urban commercial hubs and airports, suffered some of its worst financial losses.
Potbelly
With its handcrafted flatbreads, Cos, a forerunner in fast-casual dining, was well on its way to rivaling Panera's success when it first opened in the 1990s.
Così
It could be challenging to maintain the limelight with sandwich chains vying for customers' attention in a crowded market.
Fast-food sandwich chains, from Jimmy Johns' lightning-quick delivery to Firehouse Sandwiches' steamed and sauced subs, are here to stay, though some are having trouble retaining customers.
Of course, not all subs are made equally. In recent years, some of the largest national sandwich companies have lost favor with Americans, either as a result of a decline in quality or some extremely negative headlines.