/ck/ - Food & Cooking

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-22/subway-turns-to-2-off-loyalty-program-to-reverse-sales-slump
>Subway Restaurants, facing one of the biggest sales slumps in its five-decade history, is looking to win back customers with a new incentive: $2 discounts through a revamped loyalty program. The sandwich chain will let diners use their loyalty rewards on any menu items, lifting restrictions under the current program. The new system, which will expand to 28,500 U.S. and Canadian locations next month, will offer frequent customers freebies such as cookies and chips and let them use their balance via a mobile app and other channels. With the revamp, customers can earn $4, roughly enough for a 6-inch sub and drink, after spending $100. Along the way, they will also receive “surprise” rewards such as cookies, chips and possibly sandwiches, Ganelli said. Before, they needed to spend $50 to get a 6-inch sandwich.

>The Milford, Connecticut-based chain is fighting to reverse its U.S. decline: Sales fell 4 percent last year after a 1.7 percent drop in 2016, according to industry researcher Technomic. That’s the worst performance in at least a decade. The brand’s cachet has worn off as rivals entice customers with sleek store designs and expanded healthy options. Other competitors have deepened discounts and expanded delivery.

Will it save them?