Some Subways Won't Sell $5 Footlongs Citing Labor Costs

SEATTLE, WA — If you like sandwiches and hate $15 minimum wage, get ready to be enraged. A Seattle Subway franchise owner is citing the minimum wage law (and other labor costs) as the reason his two Subway locations won't sell those famous $5 footlong sandwiches - but he's not alone.

Subway canceled the $5 footlong promotion in 2015, but is bringing it back this month to the outrage of franchise owners. Some 400 franchise owners from around the U.S. have signed a petition against bringing back the deal, calling it "unprofitable." McDonald's franchise owners have had similar complaints about the $1 menu, and McDonald's responded by creating the "$1, $2, $3, Dollar Menu."

Seattle Subway franchise owner David Jones has posted signs at his two restaurants citing the "Highest Minimum Wage in the Nation, Paid Sick Leave, ACA, Secure Scheduling, Soda Tax and much more" to explain why he can't afford to sell the $5 sandwiches.

Jones has long been a critic of Seattle's various labor laws. After Seattle passed a $15 minimum wage law in 2014, Jones was quoted in various outlets saying he'd have to raise footlong prices $1, or institute a 4 percent surcharge. In 2015, he said he had about 18 employees between his two restaurants. One is in Sodo along 4th Avenue, the other is along 12th Avenue across from Seattle University.

But on the same sign, Jones noted that he's trying to find a way to offer a $1 coupon to customers who want one of the $5 footlong sandwiches. (For the record, those are: black forest ham, veggie delight, cold cut combo, meatball marinara, and spicy Italian.)

The group Working Washington, a supporter of Seattle's newer labor laws, wrote in a blog post that the $1 coupon was actually a good sign.

"[The] real story here is how this business owner says right there in red type he’s committed to finding a way to keep prices down while also providing good working conditions as the city and state have required. That's a good thing!"

At any rate, franchise owners are not required to sell $5 footlongs. Subway is based in Milford, Conn., but all its restaurants are independent.

"Every Subway restaurant is individually owned and operated, and while we are excited about the limited time offer, participation in any national promotion is optional," a Subway spokesman told Patch.

CAPTION: In this March 3, 2015, file photo, workers make sandwiches at a Subway sandwich franchise in Seattle. Subway promises to ensure its "Footlong" sandwiches measure up to settle a class-action lawsuit. The suit was sparked after a teenager posted a photo on Facebook showing his sandwich was only 11 inches.

Photo by Ted S. Warren