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8 Sandwich Chains That Have Quietly Gotten Worse in the Last Two Years

Skip these subpar sandos.

By Heather Bien , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated April 25, 2026

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Whether you're grabbing a quick meal or find that you go out to eat more as soon as the weather is nice, there's nothing like a sandwich to hit the spot, unless that sandwich ends up missing the mark.

With fast food prices going up across the board, customers are finding themselves less willing to look past a subpar sandwich. And, unfortunately, it seems that there are more than a few classic sandwich chains that are earning a reputation for food that doesn't taste like it used to.

From fan favorite subs to cozy fast casual spots, here are a few of the sandwich chains that have gotten worse in just the last two years.

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Jersey Mike's

When restaurants and fast casual chains come under new ownership, often with a private equity firm at the helm, there are often changes. A little bit of that original charm might be lost. Things get a bit more corporate, and customers notice.

Reports are that in the 2025 sale, when the chain was acquired by Blackstone, many changes were made. An Instagram post by ebaumsworld, along with comments made by many other consumers, claims this has led to smaller sandwiches and skimpier toppings, putting this sandwich darling on the rocks with its devoted fans.

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Subway

Subway has had a fall from grace over the past decade, but it continues to get worse. According to Mashed, about 7,000 stores have closed since 2015, and customers are looking at Subway's sandwiches as dated and unhealthy.

Their flavors haven't kept up with the times, and, with customers more wary of processed foods and high sodium levels, their deli meats and questionable chicken cuts are making people doubt that they'll "eat fresh" here.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread has always had a reputation as a slightly more upscale fast-casual chain. It's where you go for a cozy bowl of soup and a sandwich. You could get a fresh salad or a delicious bakery item. But, with prices rising rapidly, some customers are saying the cost no longer fits the quality.

Sandwiches that are tipping the scales at upwards of $16 or more aren't what customers expect from a chain, particularly when they're not always made fresh to order. As Reddit user u/onions-make-me-cry explains, "10 years ago the food was bomb and the prices were decent. Now it tastes like reheated cafeteria food at a 500% markup."

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Firehouse Subs

Customers generally like Firehouse Subs and its support for first responders, but tasty sandwiches only go so far, particularly when prices have outpaced the fast-casual category. There was an increase within the past two years that brought some Firehouse Subs meals to over $18, which is simply too much for many customers to stomach.

"I could have had a spectacular locally made sandwich, chips and drink for less money from ANY of them. Pricing and quality are ABSURDLY out of balance here," says Reddit user u/kitarkus.

Blimpie

At Blimpie's height, they had over 2,000 locations. But this 50-year-old sandwich chain didn't deliver the level of sandwiches needed to sustain that success. Today, there are just 23 locations remaining, according to The Takeout. Blame it on boring sandwiches, uninspired ingredients, and newcomers to the sandwich scene that have done a better job at attracting customers.

Some customers would rather just get a better sandwich locally, as Reddit user u/agoodproblemtohave says. "They went downhill when most locations got the pre sliced meats. You can get a better sandwich at most bodegas and we have a ton of options for real Italian sandwiches if you want to pay a little more."

Jimmy John's

Jimmy John's may have its devotees, but others say the fast casual chain has gone downhill in recent years. Reddit user u/6ixbreadsticks reports, "But with all the new items, the time and effort all the new sauces/sides/toppings/LTOs/(my store has hot subs already)/a confusing rewards program, there's just so much that it's hard to focus on the things that made JJs known in the first place."

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Quiznos

Quiznos was once a household name in the sandwich world, but now, people might give you a quizzical look if you mention grabbing lunch there. Their 4,700 locations have shrunk to 400 over the past 19 years, according to Mashed. They were known for having fancier sandwiches rather than cheaper ones, but that doesn't hold up in this economy. That's led to a decline in their shops and less dedication from sandwich fans.

"They fell victim to the 'let's expand as rapidly as possible, set prices as high as possible, and forget about quality, in an ever more competitive market' path that some places go down. There were a couple near me 30 years ago, and they were fantastic. Toward the end, they were literally just gross," says Reddit user u/brock_lee.

Which Wich

Which Wich had a good 20-year run, but their turn as a lunchtime favorite seems to be fading quickly. Customers report that the sandwiches no longer compare to the delicious sandos that initially drew people through their doors, and, in a world with a multitude of sandwich options, subpar just can't keep up.

As Reddit user u/-cutigers explains, "When it first came around my area 10+ years ago it was really good high quality. Like everything since then it's gotten more expensive at lower quality as time went on until people stopped going altogether and they packed up and left."

Bottom line

If you're spending more on fast casual and fast food, then make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck. Look into the best cash back credit cards, and evaluate which ones offer the most points on dining out. You may not be able to guarantee your favorite sandwich spot is going to be a hit every time, but you may be able to earn points.

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