It may be one of the most exclusive eateries in the city — with one of the best views.

A sandwich shop is serving construction workers at the top of the ground zero scaffolding that will become 1 World Trade — also known as the Freedom Tower. The fast-food restaurant, built out of shipping containers, is rising along with the signature skyscraper with the help of a hydraulically powered platform.

The Subway restaurant, subcontracted by the company fabricating and installing all the tower’s structural steel, allows workers to get their food and get back to work without taking what had become an increasingly lengthy trip down to street level in search of some grub.

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To help prevent a secondary outbreak of Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss associated with Subway restaurants in the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is requiring food handlers in 46 restaurants currently linked to the outbreak, to have two consecutive test results that are negative for Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss before being allowed to return to work. Food handlers infected with salmonellosis (illness caused by Salmonella bacteria), can inadvertently pass the bacteria to restaurant patrons, causing them to become sick.

“The Illinois Department of Public Health is working closely with local health departments to help protect the people of Illinois from becoming sick from Salmonella,” state public health director Dr. Damon T. Arnold said. “In an effort to prevent a secondary outbreak, the Department is taking precautions by requiring food handlers at certain Subway restaurants in Illinois to be tested and cleared before being allowed to handle food.”

IDPH today reported several food handlers at certain Subway restaurant locations in Illinois have tested positive for Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss. As part of the ongoing investigation of Salmonella illness among customers who report eating at certain Subway restaurants in Illinois, IDPH has been working closely with local health departments across the state and the Subway restaurant chain to test employees working at the 46 locations where illness has currently been linked.

“The Subway brand has stringent hand washing and sanitation procedures; as well as requirements for store staff to use gloves during food preparation and handling. As soon as the Subway brand learned of the IDPH investigation, the brand voluntarily removed all produce suspected by the health department from each store. The brand is committed to cooperating with IDPH as it works to pinpoint the exact cause of the outbreak,” said Thomas J. Coba, Chief Operations Officer, Subway restaurant chain.

As of today, IDPH is reporting 90 cases of Salmonella serotype Hvittingfoss associated with the outbreak linked to Subway. All 90 people are recovering, including 25 who had been hospitalized. At this point in the investigation, Salmonella cases identified in this outbreak reported eating at Subway locations in 28 counties, including Bureau, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Coles, DeKalb, DeWitt, Ford, Fulton, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, Livingston, Macon, Marshall, McLean, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Shelby, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren , Will and Winnebago.

Confirmed cases have reported eating at restaurants between May 5 and June 4, 2010. Cases range in age from two-years to 79-years-old.

A specific food source has not been identified in association with this outbreak. The Department continues to work closely with the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Subway Corporation and local health departments throughout the state to identify the source and prevent future illness.

The specific type of Salmonella involved in this outbreak is an uncommon serotype called Hvittingfoss. Typically, only one or two cases of this type of Salmonella are seen in Illinois each year.

Symptoms of salmonellosis (illness caused by Salmonella bacteria) include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or stomach cramps. Illness usually develops within six to 72 hours after being exposed to Salmonella bacteria, however, the onset of illness in this outbreak has occurred after 72 hours in some cases. Illness generally lasts three to seven days. Some individuals who are infected may have no symptoms, but may still transmit the Salmonella bacteria to others. The spread of Salmonella from person to person may be avoided by careful hand washing with soap and water, particularly after using the bathroom.

The Department encourages anyone experiencing gastrointestinal illness after eating at Subway restaurants in Illinois on or after May 10, 2010 to contact their health care provider or local health department.

For more information about salmonellosis, also visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbsam.htm

ServSafe Essentials – ServSafe is the industry’s leading food safety training and certification program

Subway fired her when she gave sub sandwiches to neighbours who had been left homeless by an apartment fire.

Rival Quiznos has now stepped in and given Heidi Heise a new job.

“Heidi is a person who was trying to do the right thing,” said Quiznos franchisee Steve Webber on Friday.

“These are the kind of people Quiznos likes to have working in our stores.”

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The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Friday the two cases of salmonella reported in Knox County have been linked to the Subway Restaurant in Abingdon.

“The cases have been linked — which means that the two people who were sickened by salmonella in Knox County reported eating at the restaurant in Abingdon,” said IDPH spokesperson Melanie Arnold. “Our investigation into the salmonella outbreak continues.”

“In the case of the two people linked to Abingdon, they are just that — linked,” Arnold said. “The IDPH and the health department in Knox County will continue to investigate all of the elements present in Abingdon’s Subway — the food handlers, the distributors, the trucks used by distributors, and the sources that the distributors get their food from.”

Arnold added that the IDPH has not determined if all Subway restaurants in Knox County are serviced by the same distributors. She said that issue “is also part of the investigation.”

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The SUBWAY® restaurant chain, which is known for  delicious choices that are also healthier for you, is proud to introduce the new Orchard Chicken Salad Sandwich, available for a limited time only.

This new sandwich creation combines tender diced chicken breast with chunks of apple, raisins and cranberries tossed in light creamy mayonnaise and served with lettuce and tomato on your choice of fresh baked bread.

“Adding crisp apples, with sweet cranberries and raisins, make a great, refreshing light sandwich,” said SUBWAY® Executive Chef Chris Martone. “These fruits, with the addition of fresh vegetables, create a great sandwich or salad that is the perfect start to the summer season.”

The Orchard Chicken Salad sandwich, available now through July 4, is a great choice for those looking for full flavor, excellent value and healthier options. At just 8 grams of fat, a 6 inch Orchard Chicken Salad sandwich is a SUBWAY FRESH FIT™ selection. As a footlong sandwich, it takes its place on the restaurant’s famous $5 Footlong value menu.

“At Subway, we are always looking to create sandwiches and salads that not only surpass the high standards for flavor that our customers have come to expect, but are also low-fat options for a balanced diet,” said SUBWAY® Corporate Dietitian Lanette Kovachi. “The Orchard Chicken Salad sandwich not only fits in perfectly in our selection of FRESH FIT meals, which include a low-fat sandwich with healthier-for-you sides, but also represent a distinct new taste that is packed with flavor.”

Joining the Orchard Chicken Salad in the Limited Time Offer spotlight is the Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Jared-favorite, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwiches.

Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. That partnership, which continues today, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey — one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY® brand was named the number one provider of healthy options and the most popular food brand, of chains with 5,000 or more locations, in the 2009 Zagat Fast Food Survey.  In addition, Advertising Age magazine included SUBWAY® $5 dollar footlong sandwiches in its list of the 10 Best Products of the Decade while restaurant industry publication, QSR magazine, recently named the SUBWAY® chain in its list of “10 Great Franchise Deals.”

The Coney Island Drive Inn, a restaurant in Brooksville, Florida, has been selling 12-inch hot dogs — the restaurant calls them “footlongs” — for more than 40 years. Its Web site is gotfootlongs.com.

Last week, the restaurant got a letter from a lawyer representing Subway, which, as you may have heard, sells 12-inch sandwiches for five bucks.

After explaining that Subway “has applied for the trademark FOOTLONG (TM) in association with sandwiches,” the letter says:

“You are hereby put on notice to cease and desist from using FOOTLONG (TM) association with sandwiches. You must immediately remove all references to FOOTLONG (TM) in association with sandwiches.”

Turns out, Subway has already recanted the letter.

It was a “clerical error,” Kevin Kane, a Subway spokesman, told me. Using “footlong” for hot dogs is no problem — the company is only trying to trademark the term for sandwiches, Kane said.

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Blair Hensley always thought of the 1963 menu on the wall of his Coney Island Drive Inn as nothing more than a curiosity.

Now it might become legal evidence, especially the item called a “footlong” that proves Coney Island was using this term 47 years ago.

As crazy as it might seem that a restaurant called the “Home of the Footlong” has to establish that “footlong” is part of its business identity, it really is a legal matter now. So Hensley might also have to add this to the file:

A 1968 photo of the restaurant with a period-appropriate Impala Super Sport parked out front and a sign overhead touting the drive-in’s “World Famous Footlongs.”

“Footlong” is the sign-in for Hensley’s office computer. It’s even in the restaurant’s Web address: gotfootlongs.com.

“When I hear ‘footlong,’ I immediately think of Coney Island,” said regular customer Michael Steele, 35. “Of course, it’s the home of the footlong.”

Who could claim otherwise?

Executives at Subway headquarters in Milford, Conn.

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This week I reached out for a Western Egg Muffin Melt, part of the new breakfast menu at America’s No. 1 early-morning fast-food chain …

You thought McDonald’s? Nope, it’s Subway, with 25,000 restaurants coast to coast, practically on every corner. The Golden Arches has barely half that many locations.

Here’s the Western Egg Muffin Melt blueprint: a scrambled-egg omelet, Black Forest ham, green peppers, red onions and American cheese on a light wheat English muffin.

Total calories: 180. Fat grams: 7. Dietary fiber: 6 grams. Carbs: 19 grams. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $2.

A terrific deal is the Western Egg Muffin Melt and a 16-ounce cup of Seattle’s Best coffee — a Starbucks product — for $2.50. It may be fast food’s best morning buy.

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SUBWAY® Restaurants are joining Amtrak to celebrate the importance of trains as the premier sponsor of the third annual National Train Day on May 8, 2010. SUBWAY® will brand the Northeast Regional, Hiawatha and Pacific Surfliner trains with vibrant imagery of the restaurant’s new breakfast sandwiches and National Train Day. SUBWAY® branded Amtrak trains will run from April 23 to May 21 and cover the northeastern states, Chicago to Milwaukee and Los Angeles to San Diego routes.

“National Train Day celebrates the train’s impact on our country and the event’s continued popularity shows our nation’s support and love for trains,” said Emmett H. Fremaux, Amtrak vice president, marketing and product management. “In its third year, the impact of National Train Day on Americans is demonstrated by SUBWAY, an internationally popular restaurant chain and promoter of healthy lifestyles, joining the momentum as premier sponsor.”

SUBWAY® Restaurants will have a presence at each National Train Day signature event in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.

“Subway is pleased to partner with Amtrak and the National Train Day celebration,” said Tony Pace, Chief Marketing Officer of the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. “Breakfast at Subway provides busy consumers with healthier, on-the-go meal options. And we expect people will see the Subway branded trains and help us spread the news that Subway now has breakfast!”

National Train Day commemorates the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad’s inception by bringing to life the rich narrative of how trains transformed America. As part of National Train Day, each signature event will feature live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids’ entertainment, model train displays and tours of notable private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains.

For more information about National Train Day, visit www.nationaltrainday.com.

About Amtrak

As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

About SUBWAY

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world’s largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. The SUBWAY® brand was ranked the number one Franchise Opportunity and the number one Global Franchise Opportunity in the 2010 edition of Entrepreneur magazine’s ‘Annual Franchise 500′ survey, an honor that the SUBWAY® chain has received 17 times in the past 23 years.

The fast-food breakfast wars are heating up again, with Subway joining the fray.

It may take some convincing for fast-food patrons to think of Subway as anything but the place with the $5 foot-long sandwiches, as its advertising reminds. But the privately held chain of 25,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada is stepping even more directly into the fast-food slugfest, where established foes such as McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks compete for breakfast business.

This may not be an ideal time to launch an ambitious effort in pursuit of more consumer dollars, given the recession’s bite. Last year, breakfast sales at restaurants dropped 2.8% to $25.3 billion, with full-service restaurants taking the biggest hit, falling 6.7%, according to Mintel Foodservice, which provides restaurant industry analysis. Fast-food sales were up slightly, about 0.5%.

The key is a longer-term shift in eating habits. Last year, more than 55% of breakfast restaurant sales were at fast-food chains, Mintel said. Sales apparently crossed the 50% threshold around 2004, meaning that for the last six years the majority of people craving bacon and eggs who didn’t want to cook went to someplace such as McDonald’s.

So why not to Subway?

“If we can get our core customers to make just one extra visit per week for breakfast, then we’re in a good place,” said Tim Ryan, owner of a Subway in Illinois.

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It might not be your local diner, or your mom’s kitchen, but Subway is making a big bet that it can entice the morning crowd to see egg yolks in the color scheme of its bright yellow sandwich shops.

The chain known for its sandwiches rolled out its breakfast menu nationally last week, becoming the latest player to enter at full scale the hot morning-meal market dominated by McDonald’s (MCD, Fortune 500) and its Egg McMuffins and hotcakes.

“Word is clearly out that if you pull [breakfast] off — and there are many challenges — profitability is actually pretty good,” says Edward Jones analyst Jack Russo.

It’s obvious why quick-serve restaurants (industry parlance for fast food) want to get into this space. Breakfast makes up more than 20% of the industry’s traffic, according to market research firm NPD Group, and has been the fastest area of growth for some time.

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SUBWAY® restaurants have engaged a host of Famous Fans, who bring their love of SUBWAY® sandwiches to life on the court, in their racecars, in the pool and on TV. This month, a new advertising campaign gathers many of these Famous Fans together to tout the everyday value of $5 Footlongs™. In fun, playful montages viewers see this diverse roster of talent together.

Why is each of these Famous Fans a great fit for SUBWAY® restaurants? SUBWAY® restaurants are asking Twitter followers to share their thoughts. From April 14 through April 27, followers are encouraged to tweet to @subwayfreshbuzz and describe why the Famous Fan of the day is a great fit for SUBWAY® restaurants. Each day’s contest will be focused on a different Famous Fan including Laila Ali, Carl Edwards, Jared Fogle, Jay Glazer, Blake Griffin, Ryan Howard, Nastia Liukin, Michael Phelps, CC Sabathia and Michael Strahan.

Just by sharing their views, followers will be entered into the chance to win one of five $10 gift cards per day. People are also encouraged to follow the Famous Fans on Twitter who will be weighing in with their feedback on what makes them a great fit for the brand. To participate, visit http://twitter.com/subwayfreshbuzz from April 14 through April 27.

With more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries, the SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world’s largest submarine sandwich franchise and famous for its made-to-order footlong and 6-inch submarine sandwiches and salads. The SUBWAY® restaurant chain was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck as a means for then 17-year-old DeLuca to earn enough money to pay for college tuition. That partnership, which continues today, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey — one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY® brand has been named as the number one franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Annual Franchise 500®” listing 17 times in the past 23 years, and was also ranked by the magazine as “America’s Top Global Franchise” for 2009. For more information about the SUBWAY® chain, visit www.subway.com or www.subwayfreshbuzz.com. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain, which already provides a bounty of choice and healthier alternatives with its lunch and dinner meal options, will now offer a breakfast sandwich menu which includes a Western Egg White Muffin Melt omelet on a light wheat English muffin containing 4 grams of fat.

Breakfast will now be available in more than 25,000 SUBWAY® locations throughout the United States and Canada.

“Breakfast is an important meal because it provides the fuel your body needs to start your day,” said SUBWAY® Dietitian Lanette Kovachi. “But some people often skip breakfast or make less than optimal choices while on the run. By offering an item such as an egg white omelet, which can be complimented by adding any of our fresh vegetables, on a light wheat English muffin or 9-Grain bread, customers can now enjoy a great, as well as a smart and nutritious, way to start their day.”

To make building a breakfast sandwich even better, SUBWAY® will offer four Fresh Fit™ Egg White Muffin Melts that are each under 180 calories, contain less than 4.5 g of fat and have 5 g fiber. In addition to the Western Egg & Cheese omelet sandwich, which is made with Black Forest Ham, Red Onions and Green Peppers, other omelet sandwich choices include, Egg & Cheese, Black Forest Ham & Cheese, and Steak, Egg & Cheese.

The breakfast menu also features healthier sides, such as yogurt and apple slices, as well as freshly brewed Seattle’s Best coffee.  

“With all of our sandwich offerings, we are careful to make sure we meet the high standard we set for ourselves by providing a satisfying meal with a varied range of flavor profiles,” said SUBWAY® Executive Chef, Chris Martone. “In the end, though, it is the customers that create the best sandwiches with the choices they make with toppings, sauces, cheeses, breads and condiments. Our breakfast will be no different.

Customers can have a little fun with this meal by adding anything from sliced tomatoes to spicy jalapenos to our signature Sweet Onion Sauce on a regular or egg white omelet sandwich.”

Like all sandwiches and salads offered at the SUBWAY® chain, the breakfast sandwiches will be made right in front of customers to their specifications with all the choices available at a SUBWAY® restaurant. No other QSR offers personalized breakfast sandwiches. Customers can choose to have their breakfast sandwiches made on any seasoned 6-inch or footlong breads, flatbread or light wheat English muffin.

While customers can build a better breakfast at each SUBWAY® restaurant, the full menu will be available as well, so they can also grab a sub for lunch while they stop in for breakfast.

The breakfast launch will be supported by a national advertising campaign. National broadcast will feature 15 and 30 second spots across all time slots including primetime. Additionally, the launch will be supported with social media, radio, PR, and digital executions.

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world’s largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. The SUBWAY® brand was ranked the number one Franchise Opportunity and the number one Global Franchise Opportunity in the 2010 edition of Entrepreneur magazine’s ‘Annual Franchise 500′ survey, an honor that the SUBWAY® chain has received 17 times in the past 23 years.

For more information about the SUBWAY® restaurant chain, please visit www.subway.com or www.subwayfreshbuzz.com.

Subway is joining the increasingly crowded breakfast scramble in a move that the sandwich chain hopes will help add customers and sales.

After years of testing, almost all of Subway’s 23,000 U.S. restaurants will begin selling the meal April 5. When they do, the nation’s largest restaurant chain by number of outlets will be a big player in the breakfast game, which can be handsomely profitable if done right.

“There are a number of other competitors of ours that are trying to suss out the breakfast opportunity, and I’d rather be in the market before they get there,” said Tony Pace, chief marketing officer at the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, the chain’s consumer marketing division. “Is there going to be competition now? Of course. And it’s going to be fierce.”

The new menu, already being served in some U.S. cities and throughout Canada, sticks with Subway’s sandwich specialty. Featuring customizable “omelet sandwiches,” the options include a combination of eggs or egg whites, cheese, ham, bacon, steak, sausage, peppers and onions in addition Subway’s other toppings.

Sandwiches will be served on an English muffins, flatbread or the restaurant company’s traditional sub rolls.

While franchise owners — who operate all of the company’s 25,000 North American locations — determine the prices of the breakfast items, suggested prices will range from $1.75 to $6. A combo meal featuring an English muffin sandwich and coffee would be $2.50.

Advertising for the new menu will begin next week.

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McDonald’s Corp. has more competition in breakfast sales with Subway’s announcement Thursday it will soon begin selling breakfast sandwiches at its 22,000 U.S. locations.

McDonald’s has long dominated breakfast sales but has seen increasing competition in recent years with Burger King boosting its coffee offerings and Starbucks adding breakfast food items.

“Subway is another entrant into the increasingly challenging breakfast category,” says R. J. Hottovy, an analyst in Chicago with Morningstar Inc. “Subway is an extremely visible competitor and given its number of locations they are a viable threat.”

Mr. Hottovy estimates breakfast accounts for about 25% of McDonald’s total U.S. sales and a greater portion of profits.

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Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the U.S., announced a year-long sponsorship by SUBWAY® Restaurants of its exclusive Concert Series. Each concert will feature an opening act performance by an up and coming artist, sponsored by SUBWAY® Restaurants. The partnership also includes the creation and promotion of a branded micro-site entitled “SUBWAY Artistas Frescos™” (SUBWAY Fresh Face Artists™), where listeners can enter to win prizes including a grand prize trip for two to a Univision Radio Concert Series event over the course of the year.

The micro-site, www.subwayartistasfrescos.com, will allow participants to submit a creative video that incorporates the SUBWAY® jingle. Each submission will be judged on uniqueness, creativity, originality and use of the jingle. The top-ten videos will be selected and posted on the site to allow visitors to vote for their favorite submission.

“Partnering with a leading consumer brand like SUBWAY® offers a terrific opportunity to promote our concert series in an artistic manner and we are excited to be able to incorporate the Internet to engage a younger audience,” said Gary Stone, president and chief operating officer, Univision Radio. “We look forward to a successful year long program.”

“Our partnership with Univision Radio offers SUBWAY® a unique opportunity to reach out to our Hispanic youth target market in a fun, creative and culturally relevant way,” said Eddie Lindley, SUBWAY® senior marketing manager, Multicultural Markets. “Music is always a great vehicle for reaching younger audiences, and concerts all the more so. We look forward to a successful promotion that combines sponsorship of the popular Univision Radio Concert Series, a SUBWAY® jingle-singing contest, and the power of the Internet.”

“SUBWAY® is the ideal partner for this promotion and we’re fortunate to be working with them,” said Jack Hobbs, executive vice president, Univision Radio. “Our listeners will get to showcase their creative and musical talents, interact with the Subway brand and have a chance to attend our exclusive concert series.”

For more information about the promotion, Official Rules and Grand Prize winners, please visit www.subwayartistasfrescos.com.

About SUBWAY® Restaurants

The SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world’s largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY® chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. The SUBWAY® brand was ranked the number one Franchise Opportunity and the number one Global Franchise Opportunity in the 2009 edition of Entrepreneur magazine’s “Annual Franchise 500®“ survey, an honor that the SUBWAY® chain has received 16 times in the past 22 years.

For more information about the SUBWAY® restaurant chain, please visit www.subway.com and www.subwayfreshbuzz.com. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 95% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 85% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces telenovelas, reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for all of the Company’s platforms; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 64 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 68 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Interactive Media, which includes http://www.univision.com, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S., and Univision Móvil, the industry’s most comprehensive Spanish-language suite of mobile offerings. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit http://www.univision.net/

Sandwich franchise chain Subway has been ranked third in the first India Franchise Rankings 2010, an awards program to encourage the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of Indian franchisors.

Judging factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. Also considered are the number of years a company has been in business and the length of time it’s been franchising, start-up costs, percentage of terminations, and whether the company provides financing.

Subway Systems India Pvt Ltd opened its first restaurant in 2001 in New Delhi and has grown its operations to 145 operating restaurants in 26 cities across India.

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A Wheaton couple has filed a lawsuit in DuPage County Circuit Court saying that their son became ill with shigella poisoning after eating at the Subway restaurant at 1009 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard.

Ron and Sarah Bowers claim in the lawsuit that their son, J.B., became severely ill after eating at the Subway Feb. 26.

According to the lawsuit, the couple are asking for a judgment against the defendant “in such sums as shall be determined to fully and fairly compensate them for all general, special, incidental and consequential damages incurred.”

DuPage County health officials are investigating several cases of gastrointestinal illnesses among customers of the restaurant.

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SUBWAY^® restaurants, the world’s largest submarine-sandwich franchise, today announced the launch of “Footlong Nation Appreciation,” a campaign designed to give thanks to consumers who have contributed to the success and celebrity of the famous SUBWAY® “Footlong.” Since its debut, the Footlong has been a hit, with popular varieties ranging from the Italian BMT® to the Oven-Roasted Chicken. However, what has yet to be determined is: What is America’s favorite Footlong?

• SUBWAY Gift Card Collection

To help answer this question, SUBWAY® restaurants are calling upon consumers nationwide to vote for their Favorite Footlong on www.SubwayFreshBuzz.com. Here fans can log their votes and track how their Footlong of choice is placing in real time. The city or town with the most votes cast by March 22, 2010 will be deemed “Capital of Footlong Nation” and receive a donation of 500 Footlongs to a local food bank.

To further show appreciation for making SUBWAY® Footlongs famous, fans will also have an opportunity to win free Footlongs for a year along with many other prizes. With a new winner selected every day through April 15, 2010, consumers can vie for a chance to win online at www.SubwayFreshBuzz.com.

 ”SUBWAY’s $5 Footlongs have redefined the fast-food industry and now, along with a chance to win free footlongs for a year, our fans have the opportunity to tell us which footlong is their favorite,” said Tony Pace, chief marketing officer of the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust (SFAFT). “The ‘Footlong Nation Appreciation’ campaign allows our fans to have their voices heard, while also trying to benefit their local food banks.”

To further enhance consumer engagement and awareness, some Famous Fans of SUBWAY® restaurants will be spreading the word of Footlong Nation Appreciation by campaigning for their own favorite Footlongs on-site in Miami and Daytona, FL and encouraging consumers to get online and vote.

With more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries, the SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world’s largest submarine sandwich franchise and famous for its made-to-order footlong and 6-inch submarine sandwiches and salads. The SUBWAY® restaurant chain was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck as a means for then 17-year-old DeLuca to earn enough money to pay for college tuition. That partnership, which continues today, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey – one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY® brand has been named as the number one franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Annual Franchise 500®” listing 17 times in the past 23 years, and was also ranked by the magazine as “America’s Top Global Franchise” for 2009. For more information about the SUBWAY® chain, visit www.subway.com or www.subwayfreshbuzz.com. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.

• 2010 RestaurantNews.com Franchise Guide
• How To Start A Restaurant Following A Profitable System
• Restaurant Franchising
• Quick Service Restaurants, Franchising, and Multi-Unit Chain Management
• Restaurant Planning, Design, and Construction: A Survival Manual for Owners, Operators, and Developers
• The Restaurant: From Concept to Operation

Subway has just introduced a test of a text message ordering system in southern California. The system, introduced by Zingle, touts  improvements in convenience and sales as well as professing to provide a competitive advantage. 

A look at their website and a quick search of the web produced some surprising information.  Perusing Zingles’ customers indicates that bagel shops and coffee houses dominate the list. Who knew bagel eaters were so impatient.  However, a few prominent names appeared that were a bit of a surprise. Quiznos, Papa Johns and Dominos. Curiously though, upon a thorough search of their websites, only Dominos lists mobile texting as an ordering option. Perhaps the others are running a program within limited geography. 

Continue reading . . .

• SUBWAY Gift Card Collection

The Subway restaurant chain defended its advertising campaign with Baltimore-based swimmer Michael Phelps against the U.S. Olympic Committee’s attack on “ambush marketing.”

The USOC issued a statement Wednesday attacking nonofficial advertising tied to next month’s Vancouver Olympics.

“Subway has a successful history of partnering with elite athletes,” Subway said in a statement issued Thursday by spokesman Robert Bronfeld. “Regarding our latest commercial featuring Michael Phelps, Subway does not share the USOC’s perspective and the conclusions being drawn from it.”

Subway is not an official sponsor of the Olympics but has worked with Phelps and pledged to keep using him in its ads.

“Michael Phelps has been an integral part of several Subway marketing campaigns since late 2008,” the company statement said. “We are proud of our work with Michael, and we look forward to working with him and other elite athletes throughout 2010 and beyond.”