You’re looking for Subway interview questions. We’ve got you!
This article covers the most common interview questions and provides word-for-word examples of answers you can use as a guide.
Subway Interview Tips: How to Prepare for the Interview
Before stepping foot in the interview room, you should know the company background, what to wear, and what to expect throughout the interview process.
Don’t need any Subway job interview tips? Skip to the questions.
What to Research (Subway Facts)
Although we’ve provided some good starting points, you should do your own research to make sure it’s all up to date.
- Subway’s founder, Frank de Luca, started his business at age 17.
- The restaurant became a franchise in 1974.
- In 2015, it was the fastest-growing franchise in the world.
- As of June 2021, they had 41,600 locations in more than 100 countries.
- 58.1% of Subway locations are in the United States.
- In 2020, they launched a new online catering platform.
- The restaurant’s international headquarters is in Milford, Connecticut.
Sources: Subway ‘About Us’, Wikipedia
What to Wear (Subway Dress Code)
The best way to dress for the interview is to mirror the Subway staff dress code for the position. That way, you’ll look on-brand and already part of the team.
For an entry-level role such as a sandwich artist or sandwich artist pro wear a black t-shirt tucked into black or khaki pants. Make sure you’re well-groomed and tie up any long hair.
For a supervisory or managerial role such as a general manager or assistant general manager, wear a black button-up shirt with black or khaki pants. Wear nice, closed-toed shoes, not sandals or heels.
Sources: Subway ‘Careers’, Indeed
What to Expect (Subway Hiring Process)
The first step in the Subway hiring process is completing an online application for the store where you’d like to work.
Once the store’s manager has had a chance to review your application, you’ll receive a phone call or an email to schedule an in-person interview.
Most applicants hear back regarding their application within a week following their interview, although Subway does sometimes hire on the spot, depending on the franchise owner.
Sources: Subway ‘Careers’, Indeed
Subway Interview Questions and Answers
Below are the most common interview questions and example answers asked when applying for a job at Subway.
1. Why Do You Want to Work at Subway?
The interviewer wants to know why you’re interested in Subway and how that fits with your goals for your future.
Sample answer:
“Subway’s unique approach to fast food really resonates with me. I love the idea of ‘eat fresh.’ Subway offers healthy, fast options for consumers trying to eat healthy despite their busy lives.
That’s especially appealing to me because, in the future, I’d like to work as a corporate nutritionist to help companies offer customers healthy choices. In fact, my dream job would be working as a nutritionist for Subway itself.
Getting in on the ‘ground floor’ of food service at a restaurant known for its healthy options like Subway would really set me up for success in the future.”
Related: How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Work Here?
2. What Can You Tell Us About Subway?
The interviewer wants to know if you’re invested in the hiring process and whether you’ve done some research.
Sample answer:
“I know a few things about Subway. For example, I know that it’s one of the world’s most successful franchises with over 41,000 locations globally. I also know that the restaurant’s founder started the first restaurant when he was just 17.
As a teenager myself, it’s incredibly inspiring to hear about that kind of success for a young entrepreneur. I’m very ambitious, and for me, the success of Subway is a reminder that it’s never too early to start investing in your future success.
I know I still have a lot to learn about Subway, though. I’d love to hear what you can tell me about the company’s plans for the future.”
Related: How to Answer: What Do You Know About Us?
3. What Is Your Philosophy Towards Work?
The interviewer wants to know what kind of worker you are and if you’ll be a good fit for the company.
Sample answer:
“I’d sum up my approach to work as: always do your best, no matter what. For example, in my last position as a secretary, I worked under a lot of tight deadlines and performed a lot of quick turnarounds.
When the pressure is high, people often make mistakes. That’s why I always made a point of being extremely diligent and detail-oriented.
I also worked late fairly regularly to make sure things got done well and on time. Doing a good job even when the pressure was high gave me a real sense of satisfaction.”
Related: How to Answer: What Is Your Philosophy Towards Work?
4. What Makes for Great Customer Service?
The interviewer wants to know if you can solve problems while staying friendly and positive.
Sample answer:
“In my last job as a front desk clerk in a doctor’s office, I had to deal with some very upset customers. When it comes to people’s health, the pressure is high.
One woman became very aggressive with us even though she was the one who’d been late. I stayed calm. I made sure to focus on communicating empathy and understanding. I also made a point of going back to ask the doctor about the earliest possible slot to reschedule.
Eventually, I managed to calm the woman down and get her a new appointment. In the end, I think she was really just stressed. Staying calm and helping customers however possible is really what great customer service is all about.”
Related: How to Answer: Give An Example Of Great Customer Service
5. How Do You Manage Your Time?
The interviewer wants to know if you can prioritize important tasks and get things done on time.
Sample answer:
“One of my favorite ways to manage my time is to create a ‘time budget.’ I list out everything I need to do in order of importance. Then, I write down how much time each task will take and how much time I have to get things done.
Once I have a clear picture, I allocate my time based on the importance of each task. I really like that approach because it helps me maximize my efficiency while also prioritizing my workflow.
I think my ‘time budget’ approach would really serve me in my role at Subway because it allows me to accomplish many different tasks in a very short amount of time.”
Related: How to Answer: How Do You Manage Your Time?
Other Questions to Expect
Every job interview has a mix of questions, including a few traditional or generic questions that aren’t necessarily tied to the company or position.
Here are a few of the most popular:
- What qualifies you for this position?
- Describe your experience handling cash.
- How would you describe yourself?
- How do you approach work?
- What kind of relationship do you have with your coworkers?
- What excites you about food service?
- How did you first hear about the position?
- How would you handle an unsatisfied customer?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Do you consider yourself a people person?
Don’t Give Up!
Unfortunately, studying the most common Subway job interview questions doesn’t always guarantee you’ll land the position.
Luckily, there are several similar restaurants looking to hire quality employees, such as Quizno’s, Taco Bell, Jimmy John’s, and Freebird’s.