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Subway on the way
Subway has received the ok to set up in Barbados. (FP)
Published on: 9/25/2009.
by CHRIS GOLLOP
SUBWAY WILL SOON BE heading our way.
The WEEKEND NATION has learned that the application by the international food chain seeking to open in Barbados, has been given the nod by the majority of Cabinet.
Sources close to Government said that an announcement would be made in "a matter of weeks".
"The Cabinet met on the issue and after due consideration it was decided that as a matter of principle and in the current climate of global liberalisation, we could not keep our doors closed to a legitimate application," one source said.
He however acknowledged that the objections raised by local fast food operators had weighed heavily in the discussions.
"They raised some legimtimate concerns which have been taken into account. In fact, a meeting is expected to be held with those objectors within the next two weeks to address those concerns.
"I would expect that some kind of package will be offered to the local operators to ensure that they remain viable and competitive," the source said.
Another source who confirmed that the application had been given the greenlight said: "The reality is that while Government would not want to turn down a legimate application, the local operators and the people employed will still be hoping to have some protection so I expect their concerns will be addressed."
Since word got out about the application by Alfundi Investments Limited, the company seeking a licence to operate a franchise under the Subway brand, debate has been heated.
Indeed, three fast food restaurants - Chefette Restaurants, Pizza Man Doc, New York Pizza, along with the Barbados Workers' Union and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, all wrote Government expressing their objections to the Subway chain coming here.
However, there was general support from the public on the call-in programmes and in informal street surveys.
The Barbados Chamber of Commerce also came out in support of Subway's application, saying it would create jobs and would be a boost to the tourism industry.
That was also the view of Frederick George, a director of Alfundi Investments. In an interview with this newspaper, he said:
"Indeed, the more successful our company becomes as solely determined by the public of Barbados, the greater our opportunity for expansion and hence job creation."
He added the company intended to operate "an enterprise that will seek to offer the public of Barbados a new choice of healthy dining consisting of high quality sandwiches and salads".
28 comment found!
Say What? : 9/26/2009
I can’t express an opinion on the quality of Subway’s offerings, because I have never eaten anything from its outlets. However, I was shocked to hear a spokesman for Pizza Man Doc state that the entity had no problem with Subway operating Barbados, but it joined the objectors to show solidarity.
subway : 9/25/2009
a healthy choice yes..but all of you will be complaining it too expensive..
SUB WAY : 9/25/2009
OUT OF ALL PEOPLE THE BARBADOS WORKERS UNION DO NOT WANT THE SUBWAY , THE MORE MONEY THET WILL GET , THEY WANT TO RULE, TELING THE GOVERMENT WHAT TO DO,THE FIRST THING THEY WANT TO DO IS STRIKE,WHEN THEY CALL A STRIKE THEY SHOULD PAY THE STRIKERS UNTILL THEY RETURN CLT
Subway : 9/25/2009
When will the Guyanese open their roti shops? they will lick chefette out of commission. I love Guyanese Roti In NY.Especially their Doubles, Barbados you don't know what you are missing.
Time for Local Businesses to Earn Loyalty of Bajan Consumers : 9/25/2009
Why does the government have to offer packages to these three local restaurant? Think about it: Why should Subway have an cost advantage over local businesses? The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and the Unions would love to see the tourists come to BIM, but they are against a franchise restaurant coming? Are the Unions and the BHTA so naive as to think that the world is not watching?
sub-way : 9/25/2009
all of this talk about processed foods and salt. You get salt in your bread, and roti, and pizza dough. There will always be some processed meats and foods. Subway uses very little process meats mainly cold- cuts, but there is tuna, chicken beef etc, and if you have the real choices in vegetable you could gain as much as 2-3 serving of vegetables on one sandwich. I am not a sandwich person, but when i do want one its Subway, not quiznos or anything else
Thank U : 9/25/2009
I argued strongly for Subway's entrance recently, so now it is coming I must give my 2 cents worth with a simple THANK U. Thank u for allowing bajans choice. Thank u for giving us variety. Thank u for listening to the majority over the rich minority and the "Barbadians by birth ONLY" living abroad with their wide varieties. Thank u for not giving in to their selfish ways. Thank u for listening to US who live and work HERE who want the said opportunities given to those abroad, who want to return to an unchanged Barbados. Thank u for putting our wants ahead. If Subway fails we will inform them that they outstayed their welcome. If they are successful, I am glad we had a CHOICE in the matter and the compay will be continuosly welcomed. Thank U for allowing me the chance to EAT FRESH. Freshness is needed to put these businesses in their place. Final thought - notice the meat dish Cheffete now has on it's menu. As taste-less as it is, they now want to offer variety with pasta dishes. What, are they afraid we'll bring in Pizza Hut too? Look out for the changes LOCALS. Let's now wait and see what these "monopolies" will do to stall its entrance. Just Watch!!
Subway coming to Barbados : 9/25/2009
When is Cheffette going to open a location in the states/Canada/Britain? Would there be objection to this is those countries? The Trinis are investing all over the place including Barbados. When will Barbados allow additional TV Stations which would in all essence create jobs for Bajans. Whats wrong with creating opportunities in Barbados?
Subway coming to Barbados! : 9/25/2009
After overhearing two bajan women on the #4 train this morning mentioning that David was bringing a Subway to Barbados, I was truly elated to here that this government had finally come up with something that would dramatically change the life's of bajans...... Not to mention the immediate effect a subway would have in Barbados, so on my way to work this morning as my train entered the wall street station, i thought of " what would the name of stops be ? Eagle hall, Baxters road, Central Bank, Broad street. All of which would be great locations for a subway................. I was also puzzled as to what would government do with the transport board, after all, they are giving away free rides every day. Or how would this new subway effect the exorbitant rates CLICO charges these poor minivan owners for insurance. Would there be a Subway stop at GAIA or maybe Oistins since government had real problems with a major road works program. But what troubles me, is the arrogance with which the BWU, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association are objecting to a Subway, after all, many of the workers fired from the tourist board could now get jobs in this new travel sector. Can't they ? ...........However,it was rewarding to see that the Barbados Chamber of Commerce, upstaged the Tourist Board, Chefette, Pizza Man Doc and of all things New York Pizza in saying a Subway would create jobs. A subway would be the perfect answer for the rationale behind canceling all these road works project. It is good to know the since Alfundi Investments were so helpful in raising money for the DLP that at lease this government can offer they some real constructive advice in these hard economic times. Now its beginning to make perfect commonsense. Thank God it was not the nasty rat infested restaurant chain these malicious women were talking about..................Balgobin7
Subway Yes. If.......... : 9/25/2009
If Subway will give the service as they do here it will be all well and good with me, but if they do it the Bajan way that will be a problem. With four or five persons behind the counter and none of them seems to know what they are doing.It takes one of them almost 10 minutes to make a sand- wich. I went to a place in the city of Bridgetown with a friend to get a sandwich for her boss and the time it took for her to be served, I said to her that if she had come for the sandwich for herself, she sure would not have a job when she reach back to her work place. The sandwich had two strips of lettuce, a slice of cheese and a slice of some kind of meat. I can`t see what so great about Cheffette Roti, check out Gloria`s or Ali`s in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Baje.
: 9/25/2009
The arrival of SUBWAY is a classic example of (Neo)Liberalism at work. I look forward to it!!! UWI(cavehill)Student!!!
Healthy??? : 9/25/2009
There are various advertisement being run in the U.S that promote Subway sandwiches as healthy eating. it is all a farce. How can processed meat be good for you. However it is probably better for your body than the greasy chicken from Cheffetts.or the things that pass for Roti that they are selling...Oh i just love Barbados.
Subway in Barbados is a plus : 9/25/2009
That's great news. It's wonderful to hear that Subway will be making it's mark in Barbados. Let's just hope they do it as well there as they do here. When I go back down to Barbados I will still have those fantastic roti's from Chefette's but if I am in the moud for a healthy sandwich, I will know what to look for. Do me a favour bajans? For those of you working in certain restaurants such as Chefette's and KFC, if you believe that having Subway's will take away the business from you, try greating your clients with more smiles behind the counter. It really isn't difficult turning that frown right side up. A smile along with good tasting food, would certainly make a difference.
Subway in Barbados : 9/25/2009
Get a grip people change is good,,the tourists would have options and locals also,the money is being spent in Bim so whats the difference,,the ones that are objecting just need to step up they service,a liitle competition won't hurt,plus Subways sandwiches are healthy. Baje in Mississippi.
Good : 9/25/2009
Glad to hear! But why does Govt need to discuss relief/protection measures with Chefette. Our taxpayer money going to the rich?!?!?!? Wow. We want competition not subsidies.
Suway on nooooooo!!!! : 9/25/2009
You people who think subway is so healthy just think again, processed meats are full of sodium , these people also charge an arm and a leg for little bits of filling on the sandwich.I have made a decision never to walk through the dor of a subway ever again .
Subway : 9/25/2009
That is a very smart move for all bajans to bring in healthy food. It's about time Bajans start eating healthy. Thank you Barbados and Subway it will be a nice change. Bajan
: 9/25/2009
Well said Ras.(Is that Ras as in Rastafarian?)Subway may force other fast food outlets to improve service.Now, bring on the casinos.
: 9/25/2009
I'm glad that Subway has finally been given the nod.. but I have a few concerns that I hope they can address. 1. Pricing. will the US$5.00 foot long cost us BBD$20.00 (remember the things cost 4 times as much than the US price) (even 10.00bbd is to much) 2. will the ingredients be on par with the US based Subway's, and will we have to pay per additional items as they do in Grenada??? Don't load it up with Cheese and make sure the Roast Beef is Real Roast beef and not the Processed stuff (trust me on this one). Will you offer Olives and lettace and tomatoes and onions and pickles ALL the time, or only when they are available?? and are the portions going to be the same.. or smaller (costing more money) 3. Location Location Location. South, Bridgetown, West??? Please don't put it in the heart of Bridgetown.. while it might be where the most amount of people are, it might not be the best location. 4. Staff Training.. Please make sure the staff understand service and train them in the art of making a subway sandwich. Ok.. how many people have I offended by that last statement.. but if the place is going to open, be good and continue to remain in business, you have to make sure the staff knows what they are doing, all the time.. not just some of the time. I really am looking forward to Subway gracing these shores.. but I hope they can answer my concerns the right way.
: 9/25/2009
why can a local Bajan open his or here own sub way why wait for some one to do it for us
GOOD NEWS : 9/25/2009
IT,S ABOUT TIME WE GET TO BUY SOME HEALTHY THINGS TO EAT WHEN WE COME TO BARBADOS AND BARBADIADS SHOULD START EATING SUBWAY SO THEY CAN LIVE A LONGER LIFE TO MUCH SALTY ROTIS FRIED CHICKEN AND PIZZAS NOT GOOD FOR THE HEART OR YOUR HIPS
Mixed feelings : 9/25/2009
I find it almost sick that there would be objections to this.The place sells sandwiches for goodness sake. It is not like Popeyes coming to rival Chefette or something.Barbadian businesses love to have a monopoly too much and that in itself is a problem. If I was a tourist why would I leave my country to come to Barbados to eat a subway sandwich? Barbados needs to focus on offering more authentic dining experiences inclusive of breakfast places that is what it needs to do and stop riding on the coat tails of american standards. Some of these statements are a big joke both ways. Like everything new Bajans will flock to it but the novelty wears off. All this is doing is bringing something else to the market that ppl perceive as better.
Bring it on!! : 9/25/2009
Competition is always good. CGI first started to offer road side assistance, and now every insurance company was forced to follow suit. Big John offered a one pound roti, now Chefette is beefing up the size of their product to follow suit.
BY THE WAY : 9/25/2009
Now Subway got the nob from the Goverment of Barbados I do hope they(the Goverment) will demand the company to purchase ALL their vegetables from the local farmers in Barbados,If not I am looking foward for the farmers to rebell on this issue,and by the way CHECK out Subway prices.
SubWay : 9/25/2009
What de hell let SUBWAY have its way.
Subway on the way : 9/25/2009
This is wonderful news!!! Something needs to be done to other MONOPLIES with the same ENTHUSIASM.
Subway on the way : 9/25/2009
One may very well recall that the then pending arrival of McDonalds some years ago brought about marked improvements in the service from its would-be competitors. Open kitchens, drive-though options, kids playparks...and many saying goodbye to paying for a meal, then standing around (ticket in hand...stomach growling perhaps) for half an hour before collecting. Needless to say, I expect many will anticipate the next wave of improvements which should be in the offering.
EAT FRESH : 9/25/2009
This is great news! Consumers will now have one added choice and a very healthy choice too, when eating out. When I visit Barbados, as I regularly do, I'll be looking for a Subway outlet as soon as they open their doors for business, if the need arises and I have to eat out !
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