Subway includes Slovenia in 300-restaurant expansion plan

Subway has signed a ten-year franchise agreement with Emerging Bites Holding GmbH to open 300 new restaurants across five Central European countries, including Slovenia. For Slovenia’s franchise sector, a key point is that the agreement covers support for existing franchisees as well as the development of new locations. The target of 300 restaurants applies to the entire territory covered by the agreement, not to any individual country.

Slovenia among five markets covered by the new agreement

Slovak news website Startitup reported the partnership on 21 October 2026, citing a Subway announcement. The agreement covers Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Czechia. A total of 300 new restaurants are planned across these markets over the next ten years.

This is an announcement of future development, not a report of restaurants that have already opened. Nor should the overall target be taken as a promise of an equal number of restaurants in each country. The report does not specify how many openings are planned for Slovenia, which towns or cities have been selected, or when the first new locations might open.

The most significant confirmed development for the Slovenian market is therefore its inclusion in a multi-country franchise agreement with a named development partner. This provides a clearer framework than a general expression of interest in the region, but it does not yet amount to an announcement of an opening at a specific Slovenian address.

When following future announcements, it will be important to distinguish between the overall ten-year target and specific local projects. Only details of individual locations and their opening schedules will show how the regional plan is being put into practice in Slovenia.

Emerging Bites will also support existing franchisees

According to Startitup, Emerging Bites Holding GmbH will be responsible for developing and managing restaurants in all five countries. It will also take on responsibility for supporting existing franchisees in the region. The agreement therefore goes beyond simply finding sites for new restaurants.

For the franchise sector, this dual role is an important part of the announcement: the new partner will be involved in both expanding the network and supporting its existing operations. Through the partnership, Subway aims to strengthen its presence in these markets and lay the groundwork for further growth.

The published report does not set out the terms under which new franchisees could join the network in Slovenia. The agreement should therefore not be presented as an open invitation for franchise applications or as an offer with a specified initial investment. The development partner and its territory have been confirmed, but the details of individual future franchise agreements have not.

Prospective investors should distinguish between a development agreement covering several countries and the terms for operating an individual restaurant. This announcement concerns the former; it does not yet provide a basis for calculating entry costs, expected revenue or the investment payback period.

Operational upgrades alongside new locations

The expansion is accompanied by plans to modernise existing restaurants and improve service. Startitup reports planned investment in a new restaurant design, digital ordering, loyalty programmes, marketing and the supply chain. These changes are intended to meet the expectations of today’s customers and support franchisees’ long-term operations.

The regional plan should therefore not be assessed solely by the number of new restaurants. It also includes measures affecting ordering, supplies and customer relationships at existing locations. However, the report provides neither a separate timetable for these upgrades in Slovenia nor investment figures for the Slovenian market.

Plans for digital ordering or loyalty programmes do not yet confirm when any particular service will become available to customers in Slovenia. The same applies to refurbishments: the regional direction has been outlined, but individual Slovenian projects are not identified in the report.

What the announcement means for Slovenia’s franchise sector

For Slovenia, this is primarily news about the framework for Subway’s future development. The country is explicitly included in the agreement, with Emerging Bites taking responsibility for development and support. These are the two key facts on which to base any assessment of further expansion.

Geographical accuracy also matters. Startitup devotes part of its article to Subway’s operating history in Slovakia. Figures showing a decline in restaurant numbers there cannot be applied to Slovenia or used to describe conditions in the Slovenian market.

Practical takeaway: entrepreneurs interested in working with Subway should check the specific terms for Slovenia, available locations and the scope of support before making a decision. The overall target of 300 restaurants is a significant regional announcement, but it is no substitute for a local business plan.