Subway plans Prague return and modernisation of Czech restaurants

Subway plans to open a new restaurant in Prague in 2027 and begin rebuilding its Czech network, which has shrunk from 21 outlets to four. Its new regional master franchise partner, Emerging Bites, intends to modernise existing outlets alongside opening new restaurants. For those following the Czech franchise market, this is not just a proposed return to the capital: it also signals planned changes to ordering, menus and the brand’s operational infrastructure.

Prague set to be the first visible step in rebuilding the network

According to a report published by Expats.cz on 4 November 2026, citing information from iDNES.cz, the new Prague restaurant is expected to open in 2027. However, the company has not disclosed a specific address. Its search for sites will focus on shopping centres and busy urban locations.

The current Czech network comprises three restaurants in Brno and one in Ostrava. Emerging Bites told iDNES.cz that two Prague outlets still listed on Subway’s website had closed during 2026. The company said their listings had been updated. The planned opening therefore represents a return to Prague, rather than an expansion of an existing operational network in the city.

For now, 2027 is the announced timeframe. Neither a more precise opening date nor a location is known, and the Czech recovery remains at the planning stage. Confirmation of a specific site and timetable will be important in assessing progress. The announcement alone does not indicate how quickly a broader Czech network can be rebuilt.

Kiosks and a loyalty programme for existing outlets too

The changes will not be limited to new locations. Existing Czech restaurants are set to be upgraded gradually, with digital menu boards, self-service ordering kiosks and a loyalty programme. Customers are expected to see the first changes in 2027.

The announced approach therefore combines two tasks: preparing a new Prague restaurant and modernising the four remaining outlets. However, the information released does not specify which existing restaurant will be upgraded first. Nor does it include a detailed installation schedule or a launch date for the loyalty programme.

Emerging Bites also plans to standardise menus and invest in supply chains, marketing and operating standards. This takes the plans beyond restaurant equipment alone. Alongside customer-facing kiosks and screens, changes are also planned for the infrastructure supporting the network’s day-to-day operations.

These are important areas for prospective franchisees to discuss. They should establish separately what the regional partner will provide and which responsibilities or costs will fall to the operator of each restaurant. The announced modernisation plan does not itself clarify that division.

Regional partner also plans to operate its own restaurants

The rebuilding programme is being led by Vienna-based Emerging Bites. Its master franchise agreement with Subway covers Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. The company plans to open 300 restaurants across these five countries over ten years. This is a combined regional target, not a figure allocated to the Czech market.

Emerging Bites intends to operate more than half of the region’s new restaurants itself, while also supporting independent franchisees. The plan therefore combines company-operated outlets with growth through other business owners. This split does not reveal how many Czech restaurants will be available to independent partners or who will operate the planned Prague outlet.

The company has not yet disclosed the number of planned Czech openings or the value of its investment in the country. For those interested in the Czech franchise market, the planned return to Prague and upgrades to existing restaurants are therefore the more tangible elements of the announcement, while the scale of further Czech growth remains open.

What to check before franchise discussions

Prospective partners should distinguish between the brand’s confirmed direction and the terms of a specific offer. The announcement outlines intended types of location, modernisation plans and the regional operating model. However, it does not provide a Czech investment budget, a country-by-country allocation of new restaurants or a detailed timetable for expansion in Czechia.

During discussions, it therefore makes sense to request information directly relevant to the chosen Czech location: who will operate the restaurant, what equipment the project will include and how the planned digital changes will affect costs. It is equally important to clarify the extent of support for supplies, marketing and the introduction of consistent standards.

Practical takeaway: Subway’s return to Prague remains a plan for 2027. Prospective franchisees should base further decisions on a specific Czech offer and its financial viability, rather than the total number of restaurants planned across the region.