Sandwich Chains We Hope Make A Revival

[00:00:00]Sure, they're hanging on by the thinnest deli slice of smoked turkey, but there's always a chance these sandwich chains could make a comeback, and we're hungry for them.

[00:00:08]Before Jimmy John's, before Quiznos, even before Subway, there was Blimpie.

[00:00:13]Blimpie first opened as a single restaurant in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1964, but the company expanded quickly.

[00:00:19]By 1983, it had 150 locations nationwide, and by the end of the 20th century, that number had ballooned to nearly 2,000 around the world. After new ownership took over the franchise in 2001, though, things went sideways fast.

[00:00:31]Within a decade, the chain had closed over 1,100 locations, and it's only gotten worse. By early 2026, there were fewer than 100 Blimpie locations still in operation in the US.

[00:00:41]>> [music] >> In fact, the once iconic chain has become so hard to find that some people online actually thought it was a fake chain just made up for TV shows like 30 Rock.

[00:00:48]>> I'm five steps ahead of you, you sons of a >> Blimpie's.

[00:00:54]>> So, why is Blimpie struggling to stay in business? Poor ad campaigns and a vanishing social media presence have made it less and less relevant for younger consumers, but there's still hope that this classic can make a comeback. In 2025, it was reported that parent company Kahala Brands is hoping to spur a revival by streamlining express franchises and putting a new emphasis on catering.

[00:01:12]Quiznos was once one of the biggest chains in America, not just among sandwiches, but restaurants of any kind, full stop. Operating roughly 4,700 locations by 2007, Quiznos shrank to less than 10% of that in just one decade, dropping below 400 locations by 2017. And the last decade hasn't been any kinder. By 2026, there were fewer than 150 Quiznos locations left in operation in the US. For a sandwich fan of a certain age, the downfall [music] remains both regrettable and inexplicable. Quiznos, which carved out a niche with its toasted subs, was considered by devotees to have some of the highest quality sandwiches in the game. So, what went wrong?

[00:01:47]>> We love these subs!

[00:01:50]>> Quiznos' spunky monkeys might be a source of beloved nostalgia for the chain's fans now, but in 2004, they were a huge misstep. Add to that a business model that enriched the home office at the expense of franchisees, plus a buyout in 2006. When the Great Recession hit, profits tanked, franchisees went belly up, and Subway swooped in and almost literally ate Quiznos' lunch.

[00:02:09]But, don't count Quiznos out just yet.

[00:02:11]In 2024, a new drive-thru location in Arizona opened to record sales, driven by strong customer nostalgia. A year later, [music] Quiznos got a new CEO who's hoping to engineer a revival based on franchisees actually making a profit instead of being left holding the bag.

[00:02:25]Back in 2017, Potbelly was flying high.

[00:02:27]Originally opened way back in 1977 with a location inside a Chicago antique store, Potbelly began franchising in 1996 after changing owners, and it grew fast, hitting 100 locations in 2005 and ballooning to nearly 500 nationwide by the end of 2017. Thanks to the chain's signature toasted subs, the name Potbelly comes from the antique stove its founder used to toast sandwiches, it seemed like only a matter of time before the chain hit 2,000 locations. Then, sales began to fall, and a round of closures happened in 2018, followed by another round of closures in 2019 after a misfire with a recovery program. And then, 2020 happened. Faced with massive industry-wide losses, the chain nearly closed 100 locations. Some quick thinking, though, prevented complete catastrophe, and Potbelly was able to end the year having closed only 28 shops. By 2025, Potbelly seemed to have turned it around. The chain built [music] 30 new locations and announced plans for up to 50 more in 2026, which would bring it back to where it was in 2017.

[00:03:20]The first Cozy was opened in 1989 in Paris, France, by a New Zealand native who had been in search of the perfect sandwich. A few years later, and a pair of American brothers who loved the place so much decided to bring it to New York.

[00:03:31]It was a hit, and by 2008, there were 151 Cozy locations throughout the US.

[00:03:35]And now there aren't. Why? Two debilitating bankruptcies, one in 2016 and another at the start of 2020, crippled the chain. Cozy went up for sale that year, but in another bit of bad luck and bad timing, the pandemic hit the restaurant industry only weeks later. The chain ultimately dropped to just 14 locations, mostly clustered in the Northeast. So, is a comeback possible? While Cozy hasn't announced any expansion plans, it's still open to accepting new franchisees. It's also unveiled a menu licensing plan, which allows qualified independent partners to sell Cozy food via DoorDash and other delivery services. And the chain has also leaned heavily into catering. Cozy may be down, but it's not out just yet.

[00:04:12]Longtime Marylanders have fond memories of Jerry's Subs and Pizza. The original location opened way back in 1954 in Wheaton, but in 1979, new owners decided to start franchising the concept. It was a hit, eventually expanding to over 100 locations up and down the East Coast, with outposts as far away as Central America and the Caribbean.

[00:04:29]>> Jerry, we stand in awe.

[00:04:31]>> Don't stand, sit, eat, enjoy.

[00:04:33]>> But in the mid-2010s, Jerry's was sold to a new ownership group, and things started going downhill. Fast-forward to today, and there are only a few locations left, despite obvious nostalgia for the brand driven by the chain's reputation for flavor and variety. A self-described Jerry's insider shared some bad news on Reddit.

[00:04:48]A comeback or pop-up from the glory days of Jerry's most likely will never happen. There's still at least a sliver of hope though, as the official website still includes a pitch to potential franchisees. Maybe a fan with a dream can bring Jerry's back to a hungry world.

[00:05:01]The once-beloved Au Bon Pain has no one else to blame for its downfall than itself. Founded in 1978 in Boston, the chain was at one time so successful that it bought out another regional sandwich chain, St. Louis Bread Company, which got renamed to Panera Bread. You can see where this is going. Panera ended up being more successful than its parent company, and Au Bon Pain was split off and sold to a new ownership group. That began a series of sales and mergers, and Au Bon Pain now exists under Ampex, but it's a much smaller chain than it once was. When Ampex acquired the brand in 2022, it was already down from 200 US locations to only 123. Four years later, there are 28. There's some good news for fans of Au Bon Pain though. There are more than 200 locations still in operation overseas. As long as the chain remains popular and viable globally, there's always a chance it can make a comeback in the US as well. For domestic sandwich lovers though, the fact that there are more Obon Pens in Bangkok than the entire US is still kind of a downer.

[00:05:53]What's the best sandwich shop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? It might just be the iconic Neptune submarine sandwiches, which first opened its doors in 1974. Celebrated for its delicious cold subs, the chain eventually expanded to 17 locations across the region in the '80s. But, times change, and like VHS tapes and leg warmers, the small brand was nearly made obsolete. Emphasis on the nearly part. Still housed in its iconic '60s style building, a holdover from the era of drive-in restaurants, the original location was able to keep going even after the rest shut down. And there's good news for nostalgic fans looking for classic subs like grandma used to eat. In response to popular demand, Neptune opened a second location in 2024, meaning a full-scale Neptune revival may still be possible.

[00:06:33]>> I know what you're thinking.

[00:06:34]>> [music] >> He's a cartoon.

[00:06:36]And cartoons are mostly for people who wet their pants. But, not Mr. [music] D.

[00:06:40]>> Rax Roast Beef might be better known these days for the resurgence of a truly bizarre '90s ad campaign than its sandwiches, but that wasn't always the case. Once upon a time, Rax Roast Beef was a sort of higher-end competitor to Arby's, known for its thick roast beef sandwiches. They were so popular that by the '80s, there were over 500 locations worldwide. Within a decade though, Rax Roast Beef collapsed to hardly any locations due to business decisions that reached far beyond one weird ad campaign, like moving away from its signature sandwiches to offer up a variety of random foods like salad, pizza, tacos, and more. Combined with expensive remodeling at numerous franchises, the chain seemed to move further away from what made it great with every change. You might be surprised to learn though that there are still a handful of Rax Roast Beef locations in operation today. While a return to the chain's glory days seems unlikely, a revival wouldn't be the most unexpected thing that ever happened.

[00:07:27]Just ask Mr. Delicious.

[00:07:29]Opened in Austin, Texas in 1971, Schlotzsky's Deli quickly became known for the only sandwich on its menu, the original. Schlotzsky's 8-in version of New Orleans' muffuletta was a big enough hit that 5 years later, the restaurant branched out into franchising with the original at the core of the menu. By 2001, there were more than 750 locations nationwide, and then things went belly up. In 2004, the company went bankrupt, and 2 years later, it was bought out by GoTo Foods, the parent company of chains like Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's. The headquarters was moved from Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, and locations started shutting down. Today, there are just under 300 Schlotzsky's left in the US, fewer than half as many as there once were. Still, those lucky enough to have a Schlotzsky's in their local area swear by the chain for its delicious bread.

[00:08:10]And with locations in 24 states, that still leaves half the country open for possible expansion with the chain actively courting franchisees. Maybe that unique Southern style will be available nationwide soon.

[00:08:21]With over 2,200 locations in the US alone, it's never been easier to find a Panera Bread. But, the question you should be asking is, does anyone still want to? These days, social media is filled with accounts from disappointed diners who say the quality has gone downhill in recent years, and hard. Not only is Panera Bread overpriced for lower quality ingredients, but the portions are smaller, too. Surprisingly, its CEO agrees. In November 2025, Paul Carbone admitted to CNBC, "We shrunk portions, so guests would walk into our cafe to buy a sandwich that has gone up significantly in price with lower quality ingredients in a smaller size."

[00:08:53]So, can the chain rebound and once again become the restaurant that made diners fall in love with it? Maybe. At the end of 2025, it announced the Panera Rise initiative. Rise being a jargony corporate acronym that basically just means "We screwed up and we're trying to fix it."

[00:09:06]>> It feels almost like home.

[00:09:09]>> Hey man, listen.

[00:09:10]>> [music] >> Some people just might want a little something more sophisticated.

[00:09:16]>> Weirdly, this refocus on quality food, customer service, and value coincides with the decision to stop making fresh bread at individual locations, which the company insists will lead to more uniform quality. The world is waiting to see if Panera Bread can live up to its promises.

[00:09:30]Even Stevens was initially known both for its delicious sandwiches and its commitment to giving. Opened in Salt Lake City, of in 2014, the concept was simple and inspiring. For every sandwich purchased, the chain would donate a sandwich to a local neighborhood nonprofit. Its founders felt that by giving back to the people, Even Stevens would be more than just another restaurant. It would be part of the community. The chain quickly expanded to multiple locations across several states, mostly in the west, but in 2019, Even Stevens was forced to declare bankruptcy, and things got worse from there. In 2018, one of its founders was charged with fraud. That same year, the chain stopped its charitable donations, and in 2023, it abruptly shut down amidst a mess of eviction notices and bounced paychecks, leaving a stain on the brand's legacy. All of which is a shame, because the concept was great, and so were the sandwiches. If Even Stevens could be revived by some of the unsung employees who reportedly came up with the charitable aspect to begin with, a lot of good and a lot of good sandwiches could come of it.