Subway Signed Master Franchise Deal for 300 Locations
Emerging Bites Holdings will manage restaurant growth across five Central European nations.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Dining Out
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Subway has signed a master franchise agreement with the Vienna-based operator Emerging Bites Holdings GmbH to open 300 new restaurants. The deal covers development across Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
Why it matters
The partnership is part of Subway's broader expansion strategy in the EMEA region, marking the brand's sixth master franchise agreement within the last 18 months.
The agreement includes the opening of 300 restaurants over the next 10 years. Emerging Bites will manage both new development and operations for existing locations in five countries.
The players
Subway
Subway is a global fast-food restaurant chain known for its submarine sandwiches and salads.
Emerging Bites Holdings GmbH
Emerging Bites Holdings GmbH is a Vienna-based restaurant operator managing franchise development in Central Europe.
Farshad Abbaszadeh
Farshad Abbaszadeh is the leader of Emerging Bites and the founder of the German Doner Kebab chain.
The details
Emerging Bites, led by founder Farshad Abbaszadeh, will oversee restaurant development, digital ordering systems, and loyalty program implementation. The group will also take over management duties for existing Subway franchisees in the region.
Timeline
2013: Farshad Abbaszadeh founded German Doner Kebab.
Last 18 months: Subway signed six master franchise deals.
Next 10 years: Emerging Bites will open 300 Subway restaurants.
Culture Shift
This deal reflects a broader shift toward master franchise models that allow global brands to scale rapidly through local regional expertise. By partnering with established operators, major chains are increasingly prioritizing localized digital and loyalty infrastructure to compete in international markets.
Consumers in the covered regions can expect to see updated restaurant designs and the introduction of new digital ordering and loyalty capabilities. These changes aim to modernize the customer experience at local Subway outlets over the coming decade.
The takeaway
The move signals Subway's commitment to modernizing its international footprint through consolidated regional management. The brand is betting on the expertise of local operators to maintain consistency while scaling digital services.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by QSR Media UK.
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