Beleaguered fast-food chain Subway wants to reinvent itself as a roadside ‘oasis’ – complete with EV charging stations, picnic tables and playgrounds as firm seeks $10B buyout

Sandwich giant Subway is reinventing the gas station for electric cars with a roadside oasis providing charging ports, Wi-Fi, picnic tables and playgrounds.

The company shared an image of the concept Tuesday, showing a separate structure close to the restaurant that lets electric cars plug in to power up while drivers enjoy their foot-long sandwiches. 

The announcement comes as Subway is looking for a new buyer of its franchise and hopes the addition could entice a new owner to pay its $10 billion asking price.

While Subway is a household name for fast-food sandwiches, the firm’s popularity has been dipping over the years due to a series of scandals and other marketing mistakes that has led to more than 1,000 locations shuttering in the past two years.

Subway has more than 37,000 restaurants in 100 countries, and Restaurant Brands International, the Toronto-based parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, could be a potential buyer.

California-based FAT Brands, a global franchise company, is another corporate buyer that acquires and turns around fast-food chains. 

The move of a buyout follows a series of scandals, such as the pedophilia conviction of former longtime spokesman Jared Fogle and a lawsuit alleging that Subway’s ‘100% tuna’ is fake—an allegation the company has denied. 

Now, it seems Subway is looking toward greener pastures with electric car charging stations that offer amenities to families in hopes of reviving its once household name.

Working with GenZ EV Solutions, an electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, Subway envisions a more seamless experience for EV drivers by installing Subway Oasis charging parks at select locations.

This includes charging canopies with multiple ports, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, restrooms, green space and playgrounds. 

As part of a multi-year plan to roll out the Subway Oasis, smaller-format, fast EV charging stations will be piloted at new or newly remodeled restaurants starting in 2023. 

The number of stations has yet to be revealed. 

Starbucks is also providing Volvo-branded EV charging stations in Washington and Oregon 

Mike Kappitt, Chief Operating and Insights Officer of Subway, said in a statement: ‘We’re constantly exploring new ways to innovate and exceed our guests’ expectations for a high-quality, convenient experience.

‘Our partnership with GenZ EV Solutions is a win for our guests, our franchisees and our planet, creating a dedicated space for drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying their favorite Subway sandwich.’

Starbucks is another chain offering charging stations – the coffeemaker announced its infrastructure rollout last year.

Locations include Seattle, Issaquah and Yakima in Washington and Hermiston and La Grande in Oregon. 

The plan is to install the chargers roughly every 100 miles along the route, stretching 1,350 miles.

ChargePoint will power the stations.

According to Volvo, which has partnered with Starbucks, it will take about 40 minutes for one of its EVs with a battery at 20 percent to reach a 90 percent charge.