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Blending Global Brand with Local Flavor: Subway Switzerland’s Digital Growth Journey

Context

Founded in 1965, Subway is one of the world’s largest fast-food franchises, renowned for its fresh, customizable subs and a strong global presence. In Switzerland, Subway operates in a highly competitive Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market, where brands vie for attention in a crowded, low-engagement industry. As a company that values innovation and adaptation, Subway sought to leverage digital platforms to expand its local footprint, grow its audience, and maintain relevance amidst increasing competition.
Challenge
Subway's core challenge was preserving the essence of its global brand while infusing it with a distinctly local flavour, ensuring it resonated deeply and was firmly rooted in the Swiss market. In this context, the task involved orchestrating multiple communication channels into a cohesive and impactful strategy. This proved particularly challenging in a low-engagement industry, especially with the added pressure of a new direct competitor from the US entering the quick-service restaurant (QSR) market. The objectives were clear: increase brand visibility, grow social media followers, and enhance customer retention through innovative campaigns. With a limited paid media budget, the focus was on creatively maximizing organic reach and engagement while staying true to Subway's global identity.
Approach

An intricate communication strategy was implemented, emphasizing authentic content creation, follower growth, and competitive differentiation. Monthly campaigns transformed seasonal themes, trends, and limited-time offers into 8-10 visually compelling assets, blending static and animated formats. To ensure sustained growth, Meta Business Suite was utilised to plan posts and Instagram stories strategically. Despite the constrained paid media budget, resources were allocated effectively to promote select content, boosting visibility. Additional initiatives encompassed various sponsorships and exclusive paid media agreements, as well as strategic brand collaborations designed to increase brand consideration at crucial moments.
In response to new competition, out-of-home (OOH) advertisements were placed in high-visibility locations, while organic and paid influencer campaigns reinforced the messaging on social media platforms. This campaign successfully reached close to 500,000 people. The use of digital coupon cards and individual codes provided a measurable framework for campaign performance and allowed Subway to track engagement and results effectively.

Subway
Project

Social Media Marketing

Industry
Quick Service Restaurant Industry
Partner

Country
Switzerland
Implementation
December 2022, August 2024
Contact
BRAND AFFAIRS AG
Result

Through this comprehensive approach, Subway Switzerland saw impressive results. The Instagram channel experienced exponential growth, doubling its follower base during the campaign period. Engagement rates remained consistently between 4% and 6%, indicating strong interaction with the audience, even in a market traditionally resistant to engagement.
Strategic campaigns reached hundreds of thousands, ensuring Subway remained top of mind in key locations across Switzerland. Through a blend of creative content, meticulous planning, and innovative initiatives, Subway not only reinforced its market position but also expanded its audience, successfully navigating the challenges posed by new competition.

Subway
Subway
Subway
Subway
Pantelis Stavropoulos
"Thanks to Brand Affairs’ tailored approach and creative campaigns, we were able to engage a broader audience, strengthen our presence in the Swiss market, and effectively differentiate Subway amidst growing competition. The success demonstrates the power of blending global brand values with local relevance."
Pantelis Stavropoulos
Chief Operations Officer Subway Switzerland, Subway
Project
Social Media Marketing
Industry
Quick Service Restaurant Industry
Partner

Country
Switzerland
Implementation
December 2022, August 2024
Contact
BRAND AFFAIRS AG
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