- 1 July, 2006 -

The SUBWAY? restaurant chain has opened its 20,000th location in the United States, reaffirming its leadership in the quick service restaurant industry. The achievement was accomplished during just one day, with the opening of eight new SUBWAY? locations across the U.S.A., continuing the unprecedented growth rate and popularity that the QSR chain has enjoyed during its 40 years of fresh sandwiches and salads, service and success. Hungry customers were welcomed at SUBWAY? restaurants in Cedar Bluff, Alabama; Algonquin, Illinois; and Smyrna, Tennessee. You'll now find a SUBWAY? location inside Wal-Mart? stores in Denham Springs, Louisiana; Brownsville, Tennessee; and Fort Worth, Texas. Travelers and commuters filled up at a SUBWAY? shop inside a Citgo convenience store in Griswold, Connecticut. And vacationers even enjoyed low fat SUBWAY? submarine sandwiches while gaming at the Sams Town Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alan Smith manages the new SUBWAY? restaurant at the Denham Springs, Louisiana Wal-Mart for his wife, store owner Virginia Hope Dewey. He says, "This town has been growing for years; it's an expanding market, so we thought another SUBWAY? would be a good investment. We're directly in the front of the Wal-Mart? ? a huge area in a beautiful and busy store, with large windows across the front." All of the eight SUBWAY? milestone locations are owned by existing franchisees, who operate anywhere from two to 35 SUBWAY? sites. In fact, more than 60 percent of new SUBWAY? restaurants are developed by multi-unit store owners. There are more SUBWAY? restaurants than McDonald's? in the United States and Canada. Last year, the chain passed McDonald's? totals in Australia and New Zealand. The SUBWAY? chain was recently presented with the "2006 Welcome Mat Award" by the Good Sam Club ? more than one million recreational vehicle owners who, in a national membership poll, voted SUBWAY? restaurants as "an RV-friendly business" - their favorite sandwich shop while traveling America's roadways. The SUBWAY? concept offers low start up costs, ease of operation and healthier menu options, allowing it to open more than 2,400 new locations and add nearly 900 new franchisees to its ranks during 2005. This year, the SUBWAY? chain unveiled its 5,000th international location, as well as its 5,000th "non-traditional" location. Worldwide, the company has set a goal of opening 7,500 restaurants outside of the United States and Canada by the year 2010. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, the SUBWAY? restaurant chain was cofounded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. Their partnership continues to this day, making it possible for thousands of franchisees and families to build and succeed in their own business. This year, the SUBWAY? chain has been cited as the number one franchise opportunity by Entrepreneur magazine in its 2006 "Annual Franchise 500?" listing ? for the 14th time in 18 years. For more information about the SUBWAY? restaurant chain, visit www.subway.com. SUBWAY? is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.

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