I know that essentially the rest of the world oves “Western” chain and fast food. But I gotta be honest. The meats are processed and pre-packaged, the Tuna is chunk lightm not chunk white albaccore. So I’ve never understood the attractions. The sandwiches kinda suck.  

Subway®, the world’s largest sandwich chain, and Jacqueline García Maritano, CEO of Subway Panama, through the Panamanian company Supreme Services Panama (Subway® Panama), signed a Master Franchise agreement with a view to developing and expanding the chain nationwide, one of the most important markets for the company in Central America.

The agreement is the second of its kind for Subway in Latin America (after the one reached in Brazil in 2022) and the first in Central America, which aims to reinforce the company’s international growth strategy. In turn, Garcia Maritano is the first Business Developer in Latin America who, after 27 years of successful career with the brand, has now become a master franchisee (Master Franchisee) for Subway in the country of Panama, fulfilling the regional objective of overall growth of the brand.

“This agreement in Panama reinforces our ambitious growth strategy in Latin America and in the country, and represents a transcendental step for the future of the company in the region, where we had growth of more than 24% in 2022 vs. 2021”, says Jorge Rodríguez, president of Subway’s Latin America and the Caribbean region. “We fully trust Jacqueline García Maritano to develop the brand in the market through an agreement of this type thanks to her extensive experience and experience as part of the great Subway family. There is no doubt that Jacqueline represents excellence and professionalism, and she is a key member of Subway’s strategy in the country to continue providing memorable experiences to our guests and an attractive investment possibility for Panama”, concludes Rodríguez.

By virtue of this agreement, Subway Panama acquires the exclusive rights to manage and develop Subway restaurants in Panama, including their operations, development and marketing proposals to benefit the restaurants in the territory for the next 20 years.

Similarly, this alliance will boost the growth of Subway in Panama, since it will expand the current presence of 72 restaurants by more than 40% to exceed 100 locations in the country, and will strengthen the expansion strategy of other sales channels such as Subway Catering® and the home delivery service, which grew 13% last year.

Likewise, Subway Panama has a demanding schedule to update existing restaurants to the Fresh Forward concept, and open new ones under this new image. Fresh Forward seeks to transform the customer experience in every aspect with larger space than a conventional restaurant, minimalist designs, digital menus, more efficient equipment, and the ability to order from the drive-thru in restaurants where possible.

“At Subway Panama we want to first thank our Subway Family (our collaborators). Thanks to them and their dedication to our clients, today we are signing this agreement with a view to a spectacular future”, comments Jacqueline García Maritano, CEO Subway Panama. “We will continue working hand in hand together as the Subway Family that we are, promoting our values ​​and supporting inclusion. We are focused on the growth of the brand and support both locally and regionally with paths to the future.”

Subway Panama, established in the country for 26 years, opened its first restaurant in Galerías Marbella (1997); Today it has 72 restaurants nationwide and its plan is to continue expanding hand in hand with new allies, maintaining a positive impact on society through good service and sharing its values ​​and support for the community.

The agreement with Subway Panama is part of Subway’s multi-year transformation process to improve in all aspects of the brand as the company expands its presence around the world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Subway plans to significantly increase its number of restaurants in the coming years.