Appointment of Jonathan Fitzpatrick as Subway's Chief Executive Officer announced
New Subway CEO Brings Decades of Franchising Experience
Jonathan Fitzpatrick, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of franchising and quick-service restaurant (QSR) experience, has been appointed as the new CEO of Subway, effective from July 28, 2025.
Before joining Subway, Fitzpatrick was President and CEO of Driven Brands, an automotive services company, where he led 17 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth over 13 years. His tenure at Driven Brands saw him overseeing brands like Maaco and Meineke. However, the company saw a 36% decrease since its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2021.
Prior to Driven Brands, Fitzpatrick held senior leadership roles at Burger King, including Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Operations Officer. During his time at Burger King, he simplified restaurant operations, reimagined the guest experience, modernized the global brand image, and led the largest menu overhaul in the chain’s history.
Subway, the second-largest brand in the U.S., has been in decline for over a decade. The chain has closed nearly 8,000 domestic locations, more than any other U.S. restaurant chain in history. Currently, Subway operates approximately 19,500 domestic locations and 16,000 locations outside the U.S.
Under the leadership of former CEO John Chidsey, Subway upgraded the menu, improved marketing, and reorganized the corporate structure. This helped generate some sales improvement coming out of the pandemic, including better average unit volumes. However, store closures have returned this year amid a difficult operating environment for the fast-food space.
Carrie Walsh has been serving as interim CEO since the retirement of John Chidsey in December. With Fitzpatrick's appointment, this marks the first major decision about Subway since its sale to Roark Capital last year. Roark Capital, interestingly, owns a controlling stake in Driven Brands, where Fitzpatrick previously worked.
Fitzpatrick's primary task as the new CEO of Subway will be to oversee the chain's turnaround. His extensive operational and franchising background is seen as critical for driving Subway's turnaround amid declining unit counts and profitability challenges. Fitzpatrick will officially take over as CEO next Monday.
(Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4])
- The finance sector may play a significant role in supporting Subway's turnaround, as the new CEO, Jonathan Fitzpatrick, brings extensive franchising experience and a proven track record of generating sales growth in quick-service restaurant businesses.
- A potential strategy for Subway's revival might be exploring the food-and-drink franchise model, considering Fitzpatrick's background and Roark Capital's interest in this business segment, as they already own Driven Brands and other franchising companies.
- Given his experience in harmonizing restaurant operations, enhancing guest experiences, and modernizing global brand images, Fitzpatrick's leadership is expected to offer an enticing and upgraded lifestyle experience for both Subway franchisees and customers alike, ultimately contributing to the growth of the food-and-drink business in the United States and beyond.
