20 Popular Sandwich Chains, Ranked

To sandwich connoisseurs everywhere, it will probably come as no surprise that Subway is at the bottom of our rankings. They have also been the subject of multiple scandals regarding their ingredients over the years.

From the inclusion of azodicarbonamide, a chemical also used to make yoga mats in Subway's bread back in 2014 (per CBS News) to the more recent 2021 scandal where the chain's "tuna salad" mixture was reportedly discovered to not have any tuna DNA in it (per The Washington Post) the chain has not inspired consumer confidence about its ingredients. While Subway claims to have been on a transformation journey lately where it has introduced new sandwiches and revamped the menu and it has resulted in sales finally increasing again, it's hard to see the chain's freshness claims as reliable. While you are able to build your own sandwich here, and some customers value that flexibility as well as the low prices the chain offers, the lower prices seem to be reflected in the quality of the ingredients you get.

While Blimpie's tagline claims that it is "America's Sub Shop," it certainly doesn't rise to the top of our list. Its color scheme and vibe may seem more similar to Subway, but the truth is that Blimpie's founders were actually inspired by another well-known sandwich shop on our list, Jersey Mike's, according to The New York Times, which, at the time, was simply known as Mike's Submarines and was a popular single sandwich shop in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The three founders of Blimpie, Tony Conza, Peter DeCarlo, and Angelo Baldassare, were also living in New Jersey at the time and were inspired by the success and sandwiches that everyone loved from Mike's Submarines. 

While imitating Mike's sandwiches worked out for Blimpie at first, Jersey Mike's has continued to increase in popularity while Blimpie has been on the decline for quite some time. Between 2001 and 2011 the company closed more than half of its stores, according to USA Today, and hasn't likely garnered many new fans since.

Since the company was founded in Illinois in 1983, Jimmy John's has expanded all across the U.S. and earned itself some passionate supporters. In fact, just a few months ago, the chain even opened its first New York City location in Brooklyn. Recently, Jimmy John's introduced a loyalty program that aims to personalize rewards for its customers. Overall, the chain seems to be succeeding as of late.

However, while the chain has made claims to be "freaky fast and freaky fresh," that hasn't always been the case. The truth is that Jimmy John's has been the source of multiple food poisoning outbreaks over the years, particularly in relation to the sprouts that the chain used as a sandwich topping. While the sprouts have since been removed from the menu, the fact that this outbreak happened multiple times over the course of several years before the issue was resolved suggests that food safety might not always be a top priority at Jimmy John's.

For those who love the Subway method of customizing every ingredient on your sandwich, but are looking for better quality ingredients, Which Wich may be the perfect choice for you. Which Wich is even more efficient at the selection process than Subway because they give you paper sandwich bags that also serve as order slips to check off all of the ingredients you would like. This means no waiting around until it's your turn to look through the glass window to start creating your perfect sandwich.

What you might not know about Which Wich is also passionate about giving back to the surrounding community. The chain's Spread the Love program includes "buy one, give one" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that help fight food insecurity. Whenever a PB&J is ordered from Which Wich, they donate one to someone in need. While the ingredients and flavors at Which Wich may not be anything to write home about, the ordering system and charitable endeavors have certainly earned the chain some fans.

Despite the chain's name, the truth is that Penn Station East Coast Subs actually has absolutely nothing to do with New York City's train hub Penn Station. The chain actually originated in Ohio, and there are not any locations in what might seem to be the most obvious states: New York and Pennsylvania. Penn Station got its name because owner Jeff Osterfeld wanted people to associate the chain with the East Coast, according to the New York Times, and Osterfeld was hoping to create his own takes on various popular East Coast sandwiches, especially the Philly Cheesesteak, which he had researched extensively. 

While it's pretty safe to say that most East Coasters would dismiss Osterfeld's attempt at the Philly Cheesesteak as inauthentic and assert their preference for the "real thing," Midwesterners can't get enough of them. So, if you have a Penn Station East Coast Subs location near you (and you haven't fallen in love with a real Philly Cheesesteak before) you may want to give it a try and see what the chain's fans are raving about. 

Ever since its first location opened in Delaware in 1976, Capriotti's has had a simple mission to make delicious turkey sandwiches for turkey lovers everywhere. With whole-roasted turkeys and handmade ingredients, the restaurant gained so much popularity that it had no choice but to expand. 

What sets Capriotti's apart from many other sandwich brands is that they actually prepare the meat in-house. This means the restaurant chain still actually roasts its own turkeys before slicing and serving. The chain's most popular sandwich, called The Bobbie, is any Thanksgiving leftover sandwich lover's dream. The sandwich — made of turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo all piled on fresh-baked bread — can satisfy a post-Thanksgiving sandwich craving any time of year. 

But, The Bobbie is far from all that the chain has to offer. It even added vegan options to its menu in recent years, so these days a stop at Capriotti's can satisfy non-turkey-lovers as well.

If you're a fan of Jersey Mike's delicious subs, then it might surprise you to learn that the chain was actually founded by a 17-year-old high school senior. As the brand tells it, Peter Cancro was just a normal teenager who worked a part-time job at a local sub shop in New Jersey called Mike's Submarines until the owners decided to sell — and Cancro decided to buy it. After Cancro took over, the shop gained massive popularity for its tasty sandwiches and customer service. After being in business for 16 years, he decided to franchise it under the name Jersey Mike's. The restaurant has continued to gain popularity since franchising and there are now almost 2,000 locations.

For those who prefer the build-your-own philosophy, "Mike's Way" may not be for you: All of the chain's signature subs are served what has been dubbed "Mike's Way," which means that they are topped with fresh lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and spices. Additionally, all of the meats and cheeses are sliced fresh on the deli slicer right in front of you. But, Jersey Mike's certainly gets huge points for overall freshness and having a signature topping style.

Since Au Bon Pain literally translates to "from good bread," you would probably assume that the French-style chain has some of the highest quality bread and baked goods around — and you would be right. The delicious French breads and croissants make a great starting base for the popular sandwiches. The team bakes all of the bread products fresh daily to ensure the best freshness and quality.

While the chain's popularity has been waning in recent years, it's on the road to changing that. Au Bon Pain plans to revamp its cafes to better suit its busy customers. This includes adding a new grab-and-go section for customers in a hurry, which is particularly well suited for the locations within commuter hubs. 

Ever since the first Jason's Deli location opened in Texas in 1976, the chain has been progressively eliminating unhealthy ingredients from its menu. Back in 2005, the chain claims to be the first national restaurant to eliminate all trans fats from its menu. It also eliminated non-naturally occurring MSG a few years later. The chain then continued its mission by reducing high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors shortly after. It's clear that Jason's Deli has prioritized its customers' health from very early on and truly stood out in the sea of fast-food chains serving less-than-great-for-you options with these initiatives in the early 2000s.

Customers at Jason's Deli can feel confident that the sandwiches (and other food or drinks) they order are backed up by a mission of serving wholesome ingredients with family values. From premium meats and cheeses to fresh produce and organic ingredients, you can't go wrong with a sandwich from Jason's Deli.  

If you're looking for a place to sit and enjoy delicious sandwiches — as well as mouthwatering mac and cheese, tasty soups, and fresh salads — Panera is the place for you. Just as with any good sandwich, the starting point of what makes Panera's sandwiches so good is that the chain is also a bakery that makes its own bread. However, the chain's commitment to good flavor and fresh ingredients goes far beyond its baked goods. 

In Panera's beliefs section of its website, the sandwich shop lists clean foods, selective sourcing, humane treatment of animals, and respect for the planet as some of its main focuses when putting together ingredients for the menu. Sticking to these goals leads the chain to be highly selective about the ingredients that end up in its sandwiches, leading to better quality food for its consumers. Panera's menu is full of delicious options, but their sandwiches will always be a top choice of ours.