Subway launched new Footlong Dippers on Monday, adding a savory snack option to its Sidekicks menu of footlong churros, cookies and pretzels.
The Dippers, priced at $3 each, feature melted cheese and meats wrapped in soft, lavash-style flatbread. They’re available nationwide in three varieties—Pepperoni & Cheese, Chicken & Cheese and Double Cheese—served with a choice of one of Subway’s 11 signature sauces for dipping. Flavors range from Creamy Sriracha to Honey Mustard and Peppercorn Ranch, with the ability to create 33 sauce and dipper combinations in all.
“Finding the dip that hits” is Subway’s invitation to mix and match, said Paul Fabre, SVP of culinary and innovation for the Miami-based chain. “Sweet Onion Teriyaki, for example, pairs well with Pepperoni & Cheese for a sweet-heat flavor. It was important to develop versatile Dippers that go well with our sauces. The Double Cheese is great for kids, the chicken is a universal favorite and Subway is known for pepperoni,” said Fabre.
The Footlong Dippers were tested in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a “tremendous guest response,” he added. “They fit the desire for convenience and craveability at a great price.” In test, guests ordered the Dippers on their own as a snack or along with a sub.
Subway first took action to meet the growing snacking demand back in January, when the sandwich giant introduced its Sidekicks platform. The trio includes the original Footlong Chocolate Chip Cookie ($5), reworked with more chips and a gooier texture; a Cinnabon Footlong Churro ($2); and Auntie Anne’s Footlong Pretzel ($3). Subway reported selling more than 3.5 million in the first two weeks and 30 million Sidekicks in total since January.
The hot and cheesy Footlong Dippers expand the snack platform into the savory side. Fabre didn’t have to add any new SKUs to bring the new items to market. The lavash is the same flatbread Subway uses for its wraps, and the fillings and sauces are all in the pantry for the sandwich lineup. “That was a great operational benefit,” he said.
Menu innovation at Subway has focused on chef-curated sandwiches and wraps of late, beginning with the launch of the Subway Series two summers ago. The Footlong Dippers follow that same path. But Fabre points out that guests can pick and choose dipping sauces, which brings a bit of customization to the curated experience without slowing down the line.
Subway is positioning the rollout of Dippers as a kick-off to the “Summer of Footlongs”—calling it the “blockbuster sequel to the Sidekicks menu,” according to a statement.
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