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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | A u g u s t 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 17 Mike's in Hamden are also nearby in many locations, seeking to take a bite of Subway's customer base. 'East Coast sub' throw down Among the national chains, Jersey Mike's has seen the most aggressive growth in Connecticut in recent years, with two new restaurants opening in Danbury alone this spring, bringing the total in the state to 22. Another sub-sandwich contender, Illinois-based Jimmy John's, opened its first Connecticut restaurant in Norwalk in February. at chain has operated an outlet in Worcester, Mass., since 2017, but has mostly focused its expansion on the Midwest and California. Jersey Mike's hopes to stand out in the state by focusing on its custom- izable sandwiches, familiar regional flavors and sliced-to-order meats and cheeses, President Hoyt Jones said. Based in Manasquan, N.J., Jersey Mike's was named the fastest-growing sandwich chain for 2022 in the Nation's Restaurant News Top 500. e chain is now in all 50 states, and an additional seven restaurants are planned for Con- necticut in the near future. "We're pretty much expanding across the country right now," Jones said. "We're growing pretty much every- where. It's growing at a pace that's great for us." Jones credits authentic East Coast flavors like red wine vinegar in Jersey Mike's subs for their growing popu- larity with diners seeking quality at an affordable price. You can order your sub "wet" if you want more vinegar, he added. "We serve the authentic East Coast sub," Jones said, based on the versions made at the chain's first outpost, which opened in Point Pleasant in 1956. "We really haven't changed the recipe in all those years. It's been work- ing and resonating across the country." Meanwhile, Subway says it is not ready to cede the field to newcomers. "e Subway Series is the most ambi- tious undertaking in company history, as we are changing the nearly 60-year- old blueprint that helped make Subway a global phenomenon," Haynes said in announcing the new sandwich lineup. "We continue to improve and get way better. Whether you leave the sandwich-making to us or are craving your custom creation, there are more reasons than ever to make Subway your dining destination." n As part of the new "Eat Fresh Refresh campaign," Subway has promised to revamp the interiors of its restaurants to allow for easier online ordering and pickup. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

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