Subway has previously faced and defended a lawsuit regarding the length of its “footlong” sandwiches, which was dismissed in 2017. Credit: Retail Photographer/ Shutterstock.

Subway is facing a new US lawsuit alleging that the fast-food chain underfills its sandwiches with meat, contrary to its advertisements, Reuters has reported. 

The legal action, initiated in Brooklyn’s federal court in New York, accuses Subway of deceiving customers by showcasing a Steak & Cheese sandwich with meat portions that appear three times larger than what is actually served. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The complaint, backed by photos, suggests that Subway’s offerings are predominantly bread, a point of contention during a time of rising inflation and food costs.  

Anna Tollison, a resident of Queens, New York, stated she purchased a Steak & Cheese sandwich for $7.61, only to find the meat content was at least 200% less than advertised.  

Tollison’s lawsuit seeks damages for those in New York who purchased these sandwiches in the past three years, alleging violations of the state’s consumer protection laws. 

Subway, acquired by Roark Capital in 2024 and headquartered in Connecticut, has not yet responded to the allegations.  

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The brand has previously faced and defended a lawsuit regarding the length of its “footlong” sandwiches, which was dismissed in 2017.  

The current case, Tollison v Subway Restaurants, is not the first of its kind, with similar lawsuits against fast-food giants such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell dismissed in 2023. 

A similar situation has arisen in Miami, Florida, where a US judge ruled that Burger King must face a lawsuit for allegedly exaggerating the size of its Whopper burger in menus and advertisements. The lawsuit accused the restaurant chain of misleading its customers with pictures of larger burgers.