Where Did All the Quiznos Go? They’re Making a Comeback – Sort Of

Quiznos was a popular sandwich chain back in the 1990s, even competing with Subway in various markets. However, many of them seemed to disappear at the turn of the 21st century for a myriad of reasons. While there are only 150 restaurants left in the U.S., the chain appears to be making a comeback of sorts. Let’s take a look at what we know.

Quiznos: What Happened?

Following the acquisition of the brand by a private equity firm in 2018, the omnipresent Quiznos seemed to disappear. According to WCRZ, there are roughly 150 Quiznos restaurants spread over 35 states in the U.S. compared to the 4,700 stores that were spread across the map 20 years ago.

Since the sub shop was preparing to open in the former Lorenzo’s Pizza location on Miller Road in the greater Detroit area last year, there have been rumors and expectations about a new Quiznos presence in Swartz Creek, Michigan. However, things stopped moving forward when a new sign was put up on the structure, and the doors of a new toasted sub business never opened.

The number of Quiznos locations decreased from over 4,700 to fewer than 400 between 2007 and 2017. There are now only 150 Quiznos restaurants in the U.S.

After Quiznos was sold to the investment firm, Restaurant Business reported that it was unable to locate another example of a restaurant company that had shuttered so many locations so quickly. The magazine characterizes the chain’s downfall as the result of a perfect storm of poor choices and worse luck. “Quiznos had a bad business model, a tough competitor, a devastating recession and a leveraged buyout,” it stated at the time.

The chain’s outlets brought in an average of $400,000 annually by 2007. Food costs were so high that profit margins were narrow. The previous year saw the sale of a minority stake in the business to the private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors. For the leveraged purchase to be effective, Quiznos would have needed to keep expanding. That was not the case.

Franchisees who had been experiencing low profit margins were compelled to close when the 2008 crisis struck. Due to difficult financial conditions, customers started eating less at restaurants and several shops closed, concluding with a bankruptcy filing in 2014.

Strategic Partnerships

According to C-Store Dive, Quiznos first began making a comeback in 2022 when it partnered with Nebraska-based Pump & Pantry.

Four “highly successful” co-located restaurants opened as a result of the relationship, Quiznos stated in an announcement last month. According to the company, Quiznos is set to open up to six more locations with Pump & Pantry stores throughout Nebraska. By the end of 2026, all six of the new stores — bringing the deal’s total number of locations to 10 — are anticipated to open.

“At Pump & Pantry, we are constantly looking for ways to increase convenience to better serve our customers and communities through new concepts and offerings,” said Charlie Bosselman of the Bosselman Enterprises, Pump & Pantry’s parent company, in the press release.

This contract is a component of Quiznos’ bigger expansion goals. According to the release, the company has launched six stores in the last year and plans to open at least nine additional locations by the end of 2025.

According to the website of the convenience store, Pump & Pantry has also established franchise arrangements with Cinnabon in addition to Quiznos. At certain places, customers can get pizza, burritos, ice cream, and other items.

This is not the first time that the sandwich brand, which was purchased by Rego Restaurant Group in 2018, has made advances into convenience stores.

Last year, at a Sunshine Gasoline Distributors location in Florida, Rego used the convenience channel to test its first-ever combined Quiznos and Taco Del Mar offering. In 2018, Rego also purchased Taco Del Mar.