Subway is adding footlong nachos to its menu

CNN - Apr 3rd, 2025

Subway has launched footlong nachos in partnership with Doritos, priced at $5, as part of its Sidekicks menu aimed at attracting budget-conscious customers. The new item features nacho cheese-flavored Doritos topped with cheddar cheese, jalapenos, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chipotle sauce. Customers can make it more filling by adding rotisserie-style chicken or steak at no extra charge, or avocado for an additional cost. This initiative is part of Subway's strategy to expand its Sidekick offerings, which include various 12-inch snacks like cookie dough and churros, catering to the trend of snacking among younger customers.

This move comes as Subway tries to maintain competitiveness in a market where fast-food chains are vying for customers by offering value meals in response to high prices. Subway's approach leverages existing ingredients to keep costs down while appealing to consumers' desire for convenient, hand-held foods. The introduction of footlong nachos aligns with Subway's broader efforts to rejuvenate its menu with customizable options and freshly sliced meats. Despite being a privately held company with limited financial disclosures, Subway's recent promotional activities, like the return of discounted footlongs, suggest it is striving to capture a greater share of the value-driven market segment.

Subway Value Meals Doritos Footlong Nachos Sidekicks Menu Douglas Fry Fast Food Industry Budget Conscious Dining

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and accurate overview of Subway's new menu addition, focusing on the introduction of footlong nachos in partnership with Doritos. It effectively communicates the strategic intent behind the menu expansion and aligns with current trends in the fast-food industry. The article is well-structured and timely, appealing to readers interested in fast-food innovations. However, it could benefit from additional independent sources and deeper analysis of market trends to enhance its comprehensiveness. While the story is unlikely to provoke significant controversy, it offers valuable insights into Subway's efforts to attract budget-conscious consumers in a competitive market.

Accuracy

The story is highly accurate in its presentation of Subway's new menu addition. The claim that Subway is adding footlong nachos to its menu is well-supported, with details such as the partnership with Doritos and the specific ingredients used in the dish, like nacho cheese-flavored Doritos chips, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, red onions, and chipotle sauce. The pricing of $5 and the availability of additional toppings such as rotisserie-style chicken or steak at no extra cost are consistent with the information provided by Subway. The article accurately reflects Subway's strategy to expand its Sidekicks menu and attract budget-conscious customers, aligning with industry trends. The only minor area that might require further verification is the broader context of Subway's market performance and its comparison with competitors like McDonald's and Taco Bell, which could benefit from more detailed sales data.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by focusing on Subway's business strategy and menu innovation without showing undue favoritism. It presents the new menu item as part of a broader trend among restaurant chains to offer value meals and attract budget-conscious consumers. While the article does mention competitors like McDonald's and Taco Bell, it does not delve deeply into their strategies or performance, which could have provided a more comprehensive view of the market landscape. However, the focus remains appropriately on Subway, given the story's primary subject matter.

Clarity

The article is clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It effectively communicates Subway's new menu addition and its strategic context in the fast-food industry. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the main points. However, the article could be improved by providing more detailed comparisons with competitors, which would enrich the reader's understanding of the market dynamics.

Source quality

The article relies on information from Subway's press release and statements from Douglas Fry, Subway's North America president. These sources are credible and authoritative regarding Subway's business decisions. However, the article could benefit from additional independent sources or expert opinions to corroborate the claims about market trends and consumer preferences. The reliance on a single company's perspective might limit the depth of analysis regarding the competitive environment and broader industry trends.

Transparency

The article offers transparency in its reporting by clearly attributing information to Subway's press release and statements from a company executive. However, it lacks detailed disclosure of the methodology used to assess market trends and consumer behavior, which could enhance reader trust. Additionally, the article could improve transparency by addressing any potential conflicts of interest, such as the promotional nature of the press release.