Subway sandwich shop at Warwick Southbound, located alongside other fast food units in the food court area, left of the amenity building main entrance. Subway isn’t the most popular option of Welcome Break’s, but it is a recognisable brand which has its own customer fan base. Subway has traded at Warwick since early 2014 & formed part of dining area transformation. Warwick South opened with a large restaurant, initially branded “The Granary”, which was changed and rebranded several times until it was “Eat In” Welcome Break’s former buffet brand, similar to Moto with EDC. Welcome Break recognised that customers wanted brand names, so they closed Eat In, and replaced it with Subway and Harry Ramsden’s. Subway offers customers a healthier food alternative, and the very nature of sandwiches being made to order at Subway means customers are guaranteed choice. Subway hasn’t been refurbished since it opened in 2014 & in 2020, whilst the Covid lockdown was happening, Subway was at threat of permanent closure & was shut for around a year. EG opened Subway at the new buildings at Rivington in 2011, and a positive customer reaction and high profitability has lead to EG rolling out Subway across their estate. This is the reason Subway has become such a common brand to find along the roads, as it’s being installed at former Little Chef sites, petrol stations and Welcome Break food courts. All subway sites, including this one, are franchised. This pic shows that Subway is a fairly large unit at Warwick South, but doesn’t have any customer seating of its own, so customers have to either take away their food or use the communal seating area nearby. It also evidences Welcome Break’s 2014 flooring scheme. Subway was also well stocked as I visited. Subway tend to keep their prices consistent, and prices charged at motorway services match the prices of high street and non-motorway Subway’s, meaning they are good value for money, attracting customers financially. This contrasts from other brand partners of Welcome Break’s, such as Burger King & Starbucks, which rapidly inflate their motorway prices. Subway was fairly quiet during my visit as I arrived at Warwick South at 12pm, just before the lunchtime peak. Having said this, the amenity building was rather busy. The more obvious brands closer the entrance, such as Starbucks, Chopstix and Pret, were busier. Subway is signposted from the M40 South so customers stopping know to expect this facility. Subway is also advertised at various points around the site, including the exterior of the amenity building.

Photo taken on 24/06/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Warwick, Welcome Break, M40, Subway