$7 footlong: Subway joins McDonald’s in offering meal deals as fast food menu inflation comes under fire

The fast food wars continue to drive deals for hungry, discount-seeking customers. Now, Subway has announced a new offer that will make commuting more budget-friendly.

Starting Monday, August 26, the chain will drop the price on any footlong sub down to $6.99. No, it’s not the coveted $5 deal, but it’s not far off, either.

The price of a footlong usually varies, but in some restaurants in the US, one can cost around $14. But you can’t just walk into a Subway restaurant and get the $6.99 discount price. You must catch it through the mobile app or by logging into the Subway site and entering the code: 699FL.

A smart brand game. Subway is focused on the idea that when customers download the app and sign up for the chain’s MVP Rewards Program, deals will keep them coming back for more feet, chips, drinks, and more. And right now, almost everyone can use the deal.

The chain acknowledged the fact that customers are more committed than ever to finding affordable dining options in the announcement. “Today’s dining experience has expanded more than ever before, and often that means trading off quality, variety, or taste for affordable meals,” said Doug Fry, president of Subway North America, in a press release. “Our menu caters for every budget, and this new deal means our guests can get the sandwiches they want at a great price.”

Inflation has certainly led many consumers to avoid eating out altogether, and Subway is far from the first fast food chain to cut prices on certain items in an effort to bring them back to the counter. Chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell have brought back value foods. And some restaurants, like Denny’s, Applebee’s, and Chili’s, were advertising on a budget.

Still, the latest campaign is a far cry from the brand’s original 2008 $5-long promotion, which was a huge success when it came to driving customers through the doors at the start of the recession. However, it ended up not being possible for the franchise to continue. Subway tried to reinstate the deal in 2017, but a year later, it pulled out again.

The latest offer is not the first change for Subway in recent years. The chain has moved away from pre-sliced ​​meat to prepare fresh sandwiches. It also promoted its $3 footlong dippers. It also relied on programming the app and promoting its rewards program, while adding more customization options to the menu.

But the chain’s presence in the US is still shrinking. Last year, more than 400 Subway restaurants closed up shop permanently. The chain was recently sold to Roark Capital Group, owner of Dunkin’ and Jimmy Johns, for a cool $9 billion.

While Subway is looking for more regular customers, the deal itself won’t last long. The last day to get the footlong sub lunch or dinner discount is September 8.