With more than half of all consumers purchasing a sandwich, sub or wrap away from home in the past week, the market for restaurant sandwiches, subs and wraps remains strong. The market has grown continuously from 2001 to 2007, but there is still great potential for further expansion. Portability, convenience and health perceptions have all contributed to the industry’s unique ability to adapt to shifting consumer expectations and food trends. These attributes will likely play a role in the future of sandwich, sub and wrap restaurants nationwide.

This report looks into sandwich, sub and wrap restaurants to uncover:

What marketing strategies are currently used in the industry and which messages and tactics will be most successful in the future

Who’s attracted to sandwiches, subs and wraps and why they choose them over other options

How the core sandwich, sub and wrap audience can be developed beyond young adults

What people think about sandwich, sub and wrap restaurants, including attitudes that drive them to enter or not enter the restaurants

How grocery delis and convenience stores compete with sandwich, sub and wrap restaurants

How the changing shape of the U.S. population will impact the industry

Where sales have been and where they’re going for both standard and premium chains

This report builds on the analysis presented in Mintel's Sandwiches, Subs & Wraps—US, April 2005. It examines commercial dining at sandwich, sub and wrap restaurants in the US, including full-service, quick-service and delivery/carryout restaurants. The focus of this report is on large sandwich chains, but discussion of independents and small chains is presented where relevant. Unless specified otherwise, all sales figures are for system-wide sales.

This report excludes sales of frozen or ready to eat sandwiches through supermarkets, other retail channels and institutions.