Subway to create 850 West Midlands jobs in three-year plan

The rapidly growing American fast food giant, which was founded in 1965 opened its 40,000 store in the world in August.

Its latest phase of growth in the UK will see 59 new stores opening in the West Midlands.

Subway co-founder Fred DeLuca revealed plans to increase the number of UK stores to 2,000 by 2015, creating 6,000 new jobs, when he visited the UK last year.

Last month is was announced that around 140 jobs will be created by the opening of Subway food franchises in Spar stores owned by Willenhall-based AF Blakemore & Son.

The two firms plan to develop 20 more in-store restaurants over the next 12 months.

The news comes as part of a bid to double the number of Subway stores in Staffordshire from 22 to 44 in the next three years, creating 330 new jobs and 14 new franchisees. The number of Subway stores in Shropshire is set to grow from nine to 26 over the next three years, creating around 255 new jobs.

The next three months will see new stores opening at the Mile End petrol filling station on the outskirts of Oswestry, within the Spar convenience store in Ludlow and two retails parks in the towns of Shrewsbury and Telford have almost been secured for development.

Brother and sister team, James and Andrea Fleck, Development Agents for the Subway brand in Shropshire announced their ambitious plans. Mr Fleck, said: "The planned expansion in Shropshire will not only provide a significant boost to the local employment market but also give entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish their own small business."