A Subway customer claims the chain is “making fools” of its customers after dropping “cute” sandwich names.
In her video, Carli (@partimevegan) criticizes the changes announced in 2023. It's not just the names. Subway updated some ingredients, like pickles and honey mustard.
Subway customers in Carli’s comments agreed they were upset. Some are too embarrassed to ask for the new sandwiches by name. They’ve started ordering via the app instead of in person.
“And to the founder and CEO of Subway eat fresh, what is cute about making fools of us that when I go in to your establishment and order a hoagie? My sandwich got changed from the Spicy Italiano, cute, [to] the Hotshot Italiano,” she says, mocking the name change.
“Could I get a Hotshot Italiano on whole wheat?” she mimics. “Stop, there’s nothing cute about that. You’re making fools of us.”
“Another thing, we did not ask for crinkle cut pickles. Your pickles were just fine and so was your honey mustard. Your honey mustard was fine, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Why did it go from tangy to sweet? It changed the entire genetic makeup of my Hot Shot Italiano,” she says.
@partimevegan @Subway ♬ original sound - CARLI
Customers are angry about the pickles. Viewers agree with Carli, especially on the pickles.
“BRING BACK SUBWAY PICKLES,” one person demanded.
“@Subway are you listening because the pickles are a serious issue,” another wrote, tagging Subway.
“The hotshot Italiano is the exact reason I started ordering on their app,” another said.
“This is why I mobile order. I just can’t do it,” a fourth echoed.
Some viewers say they refuse to order sandwiches by their new names.
“I still say ‘spicy italian’ and they make it anyway … YOU’RE NOT RIPPING IT AWAY FROM ME,” one said.
“I will forever order a spicy Italian. Can’t stop won’t stop,” another said.
Subway is not afraid of change. In May 2023, Subway announced the menu refresh. In a press release, it called this the “first update to its game-changing Subway Series menu since its debut in July 2022.”
In addition to renaming the Spicy Italiano to the Hotshot Italiano, it renamed the Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Italian B.M.T., and Chicken & Bacon Ranch. The Hotshot Italiano has “spicy pepperoni, Genoa salami, and provolone cheese, topped with jalapeño peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and a generous drizzle of MVP Parmesan Vinaigrette® on Artisan Italian bread,” according to the site.
Food Chain Magazine wrote about recent menu changes in the U.K. and Ireland, stating the announcement of the new “series” of sandwiches was the biggest change since 1965. AL Life wrote in January 2024 that Subway also underwent “nationwide” menu changes, introducing new sides like churros, pretzels, and cookies.
