Subway's Newest Sandwiches Are a Safety Hazard, Operators Say

Subway's new sandwich melts are a hazard to those making them and to the equipment they're made in, says the North American Association of Subway Franchisees (NAASF). As a result, the group said it "cannot endorse" the new items.

The Fresh Melts were launched just last month and come in three different varieties: Tuna, Ham, and Steak. All feature triple the amount of cheese and are served toasted. But there are safety concerns for the staff who place them in and take them out of toaster ovens by hand, according to a NAASF warning notice to franchisees obtained by Restaurant Business.

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The notice reports that some operators have said the melts have caused damage on their toaster ovens. Furthermore, the sandwiches are allegedly more complicated to make than other items and present an issue with customization.

The franchisees association advised its members to "weigh out the above concerns and stand strong with the decision you make as a franchisee investor." It continues to say that Subway's leadership is yet to adequately respond to these concerns, while the sandwiches have already gone through a soft launch.

"We are incredibly disappointed in FWH leadership's plan to move full steam ahead with this launch before these significant issues are resolved," the notice reads.

Meanwhile, Subway maintains the melts have gone through sufficient testing before being launched.

"The safety of our franchisees and their restaurant employees is a top priority for us," the company told Restaurant Business. "In addition to providing extensive training materials, a standard protocol is to thoroughly test all new products and innovations and make operational and equipment adjustments as needed, ensuring that our franchisees and hard-working sandwich artists are able to safely and consistently execute a quality meal that guests expect."

For more, check out Subway's "Eat Fresh" Slogan Is Alarmingly Misleading, Operators Say, and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest restaurant news delivered straight to your inbox.