Subway plans EV Charging Oasis stations

[azerik]

Not a whole lot a time to be wasted at a Subway. playground or not. I can order and down a foot long meatball in sub 10 min and get out of there. Spending a quality hour at a Subway isn't in my future.

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[billy_at]

Subway Plans EV Charging Stations With Wi-Fi And Playgrounds
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattno...charging-stations-with-wi-fi-and-playgrounds/

Subway plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at some locations for a pilot project this year, according to a press release from the restaurant chain. Dubbed Subway Oasis, the Subway locations will include charging ports for your devices, Wi-Fi, picnic tables, restrooms and playgrounds.

Subway is partnering with a company called GenZ EV Solutions to provide the fast EV charging stations, which uses technology from the Red E Charging network that’s primarily focused on the upper Midwest.
The charging stations will be installed at new or newly remodeled Subway locations in the U.S., though it’s not clear yet how many will be part of the pilot project.

Subway isn’t the first restaurant chain to get in on the electric vehicle charging game. Back in August, Starbucks announced a pilot program with Volvo to install EV chargers at locations stretching from Utah to Colorado. And in October, Taco Bell announced it would be installing charging stations at 100 restaurants.

But Subway’s plans appear to be unique, if only because they’re being billed as having additional green space and playgrounds—an interesting branding exercise in appealing to the eco-conscious consumer. Because while electric vehicles are being billed as the future, they’re still a niche product in many respects when you consider their market share. Electric cars accounted for less than 6% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2022.

Electric cars have been the promise of the future for over a century, but we’re just now starting to see the industry make real headwinds. Subway’s recognition of that market is one small but significant step in making EVs mainstream.

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

"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,” Kappitt continued.

Subway did not immediately respond to questions about where the first Subway Oasis locations will be installed. I’ll update this post if I hear back.

I am so surprised that they are actually fast chargers.

 

[Rumline]

This thread is hilarious. I stopped going to Subway after getting food poisoning like three too many times. My wife insists that I'm just crazy; it can't be Subway that made me sick. A third of the comments in here are about food poisoning, so I feel vindicated! lol

Honestly I think this is a fantastic idea. I'd stop and charge here if for nothing else it's better than some parking lot. I won't be buying food but I guess my wife would.

 

[Dude]

This is a good concept that'd drive unquestionably solid business. Power starts out cheap and then ramps to market demand, which I'd consider the concept to be a value-add, so possibly able to get a premium. Not sure which I'd be more attracted to, going to a private EV rest stop with food, or sitting at the back of a walmart parking lot conversing with some guy that wants something or is in need of something or talking to a shopping cart. Decisions, decisions

LOL

 

[jlauro]

Never was sick from eating there, and must of had subway at least a couple of hundred times over the last 30 years. Subs are ok, but I really like their macadamia nut cookies.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Never was sick from eating there, and must of had subway at least a couple of hundred times over the last 30 years. Subs are ok, but I really like their macadamia nut cookies.

I'm with you... The claims in this thread are amazing to me. I'm a big fan of their Spicy Italian and their tuna subs. Sure, there are lots of lousy Subway locations around here, but it's their staff that are bad not the food. I'm lucky that the one I can walk to from work is top notch (staff and food). I'm sure I've beat your 30 year record. ?

Back on subject... The majority of Subways in suburban metro Phoenix don't have enough parking or real estate to support a "charging oasis" as described in the article. I'm guessing this will just be at locations along interstate highways, outside of metro areas.

 

[Bayviews88]

The real issue at heart here is...

Why can't they use all this money to buy out the rights to do the "V cut" again

Wait, there’s a backstory on why the “V cut” disappeared?!
However, I haven’t been to a Subway since 2019, so perhaps the “V Cut” is back?

 

[Bayviews88]

So while I love the idea, I'd probably prefer to see a more popular/better liked restaurant chain doing this. My concern is Subway trying it, whiffing it because people it seems people don't really want to eat Subway these days, and other restaurants looking at Subway's failed example as a reason to not follow their lead.

I'd be a little more excited if this was being pursued by a company that controls multiple franchise brands like DARDEN so they could offer a few fast and fast-casual options at each stop that are more appropriate to the area.

Unless someone has a patent on this concept, I’m sure mini fast food, and fast casual chains will use a version of this layout concept. (I’m looking at you Ford. Given last week’s patent news, I would be shocked if they didn’t have a team working on a patentable concert right now).

I would also be shocked if developers are not also looking at how to design new mini-malls or highway commercial projects on this format. Actually as an urban planner, this is right up my alley!

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