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The Most Overpriced Sandwich Chains in America

$20 for a sandwich is pure madness.

By Cassandra Yorgey

Edited by Esther Carlstone

Updated Dec. 24, 2025

There are a few universal human truths, and one of them is that just about everyone, throughout history, has loved some form of a sandwich. These days, the sandwich shop sits comfortably between fast food and healthier quick bites — still tasty, still convenient — but Americans are starting to side-eye the price of a sammie and wonder whether it's really worth squeezing into an already-tight food budget.

So let's dig into the sandwich-chain landscape, once a go-to way to stretch a fast food budget, and see what this supposedly wallet-friendly option is actually costing now.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Subway

That famous $5 footlong is no more, but Subway remains one of the more affordable options for a quick sandwich to order. Many say the quality is some of the worst, though, and that sacrifice isn't necessarily worth it — especially when a basic veggie sub is $7.79 and only comes with one kind of cheese. Adding an extra cheese brings the price up to $8.89.

An anonymous Redditor didn't mince words: "It's been an overpriced crap sandwich since Covid."

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Jersey Mike's

If you want the freshest sandwich, Jersey Mike's will deliver — but it will cost you. The basic veggie sub is a little bit longer than a foot ("giant size" according to the restaurant nomenclature) and comes with two cheeses and green bell peppers in addition to the customizable toppings, but it will set you back a whopping $16.65.

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse sets itself apart with caramelized onions instead of the usual raw — but is that really worth the price? A basic veggie sub features cheeses, mushrooms, caramelized green peppers, and onions, making it a hearty option for those who prefer not to include meat. However, it's priced at $13.99 for a footlong.

According to a Redditor, the meat-based sandwiches aren't worth it either, as "they put all the meat in the middle, so when they cut it in half, it looked abundant."

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Panera Bread

If any chain feels destined for trouble, it's a bakery that no longer bakes. Panera is outsourcing its bread, allegedly to cut costs — just not for customers. Its closest veggie option, the $9.69 Toasted Garden Caprese, is small, skimpy, and barely customizable.

As Redditor Electric-Sheepskin puts it, "Panera used to be really good… Now I just feel like it's all overpriced, microwaved food."

Jimmy John's

A basic veggie sub from Jimmy John's only has one cheese, but it does add avocado spread and cucumbers to the base ingredients. The base price is $14.99, and adding on that second cheese brings it up to an eye-watering $16.97.

That's a lot for a sammie that doesn't even have any meat. A long-time employee reveals, "In my 11 years working at Jimmy John's, the price of a sandwich has doubled in my area."

Quiznos

There are only about 150 Quiznos locations left in the U.S. (down from about 5,000 at its peak in 2007), so you may no longer have one nearby. They offer a Veggie Guacamole sub for $10.15 that comes with two cheeses, cucumbers, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, and other assorted optional toppings.

Many consider this still pricey when you consider there's no meat included.

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Which Wich

Which Wich is known for customization and a solid list of veggie options, but its Tomato & Avocado sandwich starts at a shocking $17.75 for a 14-inch. It includes two cheeses and free add-ons like hummus, and most toppings cost nothing extra, so you may as well load it up.

Even so, many customers complain that the portions are skimpy, leaving the pricey sandwich feeling underwhelming.

Charleys Cheesesteaks

If you've ever gotten peckish while shopping or running errands, then you've probably run into a Charleys. They're often tucked into malls where you're likely to get hungry, and they offer more than just your average cheesesteak.

A 12-inch Veggie Delight offers three cheeses, mushrooms, green peppers, and sautéed onions for $11.99. You're paying extra for immediate gratification on an empty stomach, essentially.

Wawa

While not strictly a sandwich chain, Wawa does have a lot of sandwiches that used to be cheap but now are mostly just convenient. A 10-inch veggie with two cheeses and typical customizable toppings costs $8.59.

It's small and underwhelming, but almost certainly conveniently located. The general opinion is that most items are $3 to $4 too expensive for the size and poor quality.

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McAlister's Deli

If you've ever seen a giant baked potato decked out with all sorts of toppings on social media, it was likely from McAlister's Deli. The giant spuds might be their star, but their menu also has a heavy focus on sandwiches.

Their veggie sandwich doesn't even come with cheese, so adding on two cheeses brings the price to $11.97 for a very basic sandwich.

Penn Station Subs

Penn Station's claim to fame is making "East Coast-style" grilled sandwiches, but it comes with a premium price. Their Grilled Veggie option is $14.50 and only includes one cheese, with customizations on the slim side.

Sheetz

The Made-to-Order Sheetz sandwiches have a cult following, but the price is mostly about convenience. A large Veggie Sub comes with two cheeses and a wide range of spreads and toppings, although some cost extra, such as the cooked peppers or caramelized onions.

The base price is $11.59, and longtime customers say they're feeling the sting of steady price hikes and increasingly lackluster loyalty rewards.

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Blimpie

Blimpie subs reached their peak in the mid-90s, but there are still about 150 left. They only seem to have the Veggie & Cheese option available as a "value sub" which is a 6-inch size for $5 that comes with two cheeses and roasted red peppers in addition to the regular basic topping options.

To match the size of a standard footlong, you'd need at least two — and for $10, you're still getting a pretty basic sandwich with very limited customization.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has its fans, but the subs aren't exactly budget-friendly. A basic 12-inch Veggie Melt comes with two cheeses, fresh avocado, and mushrooms, plus a solid range of customizable toppings — including artichoke hearts and caramelized onions.

But all that will still run you $12.69 for the sandwich alone.

Capriotti's

Capriotti's is known for its massive 18-inch sub, but the next size down is 10-inches, skipping that sweet-spot footlong. They also lack a veggie sub, usually the cheapest option; the closest is a $12.99 plant-based turkey with very standard toppings.

Even the 10-inch options run $11.99, and some climb past $20. As one Redditor says, "It's really good but way overpriced… 18 bucks for a medium sandwich and chips is ridiculous!"

Bottom line

These days, a really good fresh sandwich on the go costs about $15 to $20, which nearly everybody agrees is just too much. Minimum wage workers would have to work more than two hours for the most basic veggie sandwich option that doesn't even include the expensive ingredient of meat.

Instead of spending on a lackluster meal, avoid wasting money by getting your favorite ingredients and making your own sandwiches at home instead.

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