Subway faces new competition business

With the opening of sub shop Quiznos in the Food Court this week, lunchtime business volume indicates that Subway may be having a tough time keeping up with its new competitor's signature "Mmm ... toasty" subs.

While yesterday's lunchtime line at Quiznos wrapped around the building, customers at Subway faced a much shorter wait.

"This is my first time here, but I'm likely to come here more often because it's closer to my classes," College sophomore and Quiznos customer Jake Kleinman said. "The quality here is definitely better" than at Subway.

While some students found the 34th and Walnut streets location of the Food Court, formerly known as the Moravian Cafes, to be convenient, others said it was a far trek from their classes and housing.

"Most of my classes are in Huntsman [Hall], so it's really out of the way," Wharton junior and Subway customer Jared Abelman said. "I think a lot of people eat here because it's convenient, so I don't think that the opening of Quiznos will really hurt Subway. People might start going to Quiznos for a better sandwich, but it's far away from here."

Wharton junior Zach Coopersmith agreed.

"I don't know if Quiznos will have a direct effect on Subway because they're on opposite sides of campus," he said.

Law School student Steven Hugh was deterred by the long line at Quiznos the first time he attempted to eat there.

"I turned around and went to Wawa," he said.

Hugh expressed displeasure with the entire renovation project in the Food Court. The facility's completion has been delayed repeatedly, and its final opening date was pushed back once again from Jan. 1 due to construction delays. Taco Bell and A&W; are currently planning to open in mid-March.

"I see the Food Court as having gone from a perfectly functional food court with nine vending stalls to one with only four, and, in the process, the whole facility was closed through the summer, the fall, and partly into this semester," Hugh said.

Pointing to the walls of the food court, Hugh added, "I also do not think that whatever green [shade of paint] this is was an improvement."

Quiznos owner Janki Patel had a more positive outlook on the renovation project.

"It's been fantastic," Patel said. "Even if the other stores aren't open, people are still coming in and they're excited about [the other stores] opening in the future."

Patel said she did not believe that the arrival of the other vendors will have an impact on sales at Quiznos. However, crew member Tahira Dougherty said that students coming into the Food Court and looking for Taco Bell have been buying Quiznos sandwiches instead.

Several Quiznos customers expressed excitement about the new Food Court.

"I'm glad we have a chain now," Nursing graduate student Morgan Cohen said. "I was looking forward to the other vendors opening, but I'm not upset that they're not open yet."

"We're all happy about the Quiznos," Wharton and College senior Jesse Pujji said. "I'm a big fan."

Famous Famiglia Pizza and Gourmet Ice Cream and Yogurt are slated to join Quiznos to in the Food Court when they reopen tomorrow.

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