Top 15 Subway Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

By Mike Simpson

Subway is the largest fast food chain in the world, boasting nearly 43,000 locations across more than 110 countries. Since Subway restaurants are so common, many people view them as a perfect option for an employer. However, while there are openings regularly, that doesn’t mean you won’t face some competition, so nailing the Subway interview questions is a must.

Fortunately, with a bit of preparation, you can make sure you’re ready for all of the interview questions at Subway. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Answer Subway Interview Questions

Before we take a close look at the various Subway interview questions you could face, let’s take a moment to discuss your interview strategy. By honing your technique, you’ll make sure that you aren’t just ready for the questions you expect; you’ll be prepared for the curveballs, too.

As you get ready, it’s important to remember that Subway is a customer-oriented restaurant that greatly values teamwork. The chain is also committed to offering nutritious food choices, social responsibility, and reducing its environmental footprint.

By knowing what’s essential to Subway, you can make sure your answers align with that vision. Ultimately, that will help you stand out from the crowd, increasing the odds that you’ll secure an offer.

However, those points alone aren’t enough if you want to genuinely shine when tackling interview questions at Subway. Instead, you need to dig deeper.

First, it’s time for some research. Start by reviewing the job description carefully. Look for insights about any must-have skills and experience. Also, look for keywords relating to desirable traits. Anything mentioned in the job description is potentially work tapping on in an interview answer, so the more you know about what it contains, the better.

After that, it’s time to head to the Subway website to learn more about the company’s mission, values, and vision. These give you clues about the overall culture, as well as the kind of person the hiring manager needs to find.

Spending some time reviewing Subway’s social media pages can also help. Again, you’ll find out more about the culture, as well as any recent achievements that may be worth discussing.

Once you’ve finished up with the research, it’s time to develop some techniques that can help you answer the different types of Subway interview questions you might encounter.

For traditional interview questions, you can use a straightforward approach. You’ll let the hiring manager know if you have the skill or experience they’re asking about first. Then, if you do, follow up with an example of you putting the capabilities to work. If you don’t, then showcase your willingness to learn instead.

You’ll need a different strategy for behavioral and situational interview questions at Subway. With these, you either have to share an example from your past or discuss how you’d handle a specific hypothetical scenario.

Luckily, in either case, you can use the same techniques. By taking the STAR Method and adding a healthy dose of the Tailoring Method, you’ll end up with compelling answers that are incredibly relevant, increasing the odds that you’ll make an excellent impression on the hiring manager.

Top 3 Subway Interview Questions

Many people assume that every Subway interview is exactly the same. However, that isn’t always the case.

As a large chain, Subway hires for a wide array of roles. Along with sandwich artists, each restaurant will have a management team. Plus, they have corporate positions, including jobs in accounting, advertising, human resources, IT, and more.

Since Subway hires a broad selection of professionals, the interview questions at Subway can differ. After all, asking a sandwich artist about advertising skills just doesn’t make sense. Instead, the questions focus on the nature of the role, allowing the hiring manager to find the best candidate for a specific job.

However, most people begin their Subway career as sandwich artists. Since that’s the case, we’re going to focus on Subway interview questions those candidates are likely to face. With that in mind, here’s a look at our top three Subway interview questions and answers.

1. During main meal times, there can be a rush of customers. How would you stay calm during those fast-paced times and effectively manage the rush?

Most fast food restaurants experience rushes near lunch and dinner time, particularly any locations in high-traffic areas. The hiring manager asks this question to gauge how well you might work under pressure, as well as figure out what you’ll do to ensure you succeed.

With this question, it’s wise to highlight a few key traits that Subway values. Discussing any techniques you use to remain organized and team-oriented can help your answer stand out from the pack, so work to integrate them in when possible.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“Since some rushes are somewhat predictable, the first step I would take to help make sure that I can remain calm is to tackle some prep work. By ensuring we have enough ingredients available, I can serve customers faster, which makes the rush easier to manage.

Once the rush begins, I focus on the customer in front of me. By giving them my full attention, I make sure I’m not distracted by the line, which allows me to remain efficient. However, I’ll also seize small opportunities to keep things moving forward. For example, while one customer’s sandwich is being toasted, I can speak with the next customer to begin the creation of their sandwich.

Another step I’d take is to ensure I communicate effectively with my colleagues. That way, if there are several of us working on sandwiches, we can either use an assembly line approach or, at a minimum, avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Again, that makes the process more efficient while also allowing me to remain calm along the way.” 

2. Do you have any expectations in regard to your colleagues when on a shift?

Overall, Subway restaurants are team-oriented environments. The hiring manager wants to know not just that you can work well with others but that your expectations of them are reasonable.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“Since Subway is a team-oriented environment, I believe that my expectations of colleagues would match those I have for myself. For example, if a coworker is struggling with a task or falling behind, I’d be ready to offer a helping hand. If ingredients need restocking or prepping, I would hop in to get them done before we completely run out, and I would hope my colleagues would do the same.

Additionally, I know that communication is the key to success in a team-oriented workplace. That’s why I prioritize communication, and I would prefer that my coworkers also strive to remain communicative, particularly during rushes or other challenging moments. That way, we can succeed together and create a fantastic customer experience, which is the ideal outcome, in my opinion.”

3. If a customer came into this location, how would you greet them?

Since Subway wants to offer an exceptional customer experience, the hiring manager wants to make sure you prioritize customer service. Greeting a customer when they arrive allows you to set a positive tone, which can lead to greater customer satisfaction.

While some Subway stores may have a specific greeting they prefer, the hiring manager doesn’t necessarily expect you to know it. Since that’s the case, you can go with a fairly standard greeting for your answer. Just make sure to express your willingness to use a script if the location has one.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“If a customer arrived and there wasn’t a formal script for greeting them, my go-to greeting would be, ‘Hi, welcome to Subway.’ During rushes, I may add a little something extra, such as, ‘Hi, welcome to Subway. We’ll be right with you,’ as that not only acknowledges the customer’s arrival; it also shows that we’re working diligently to take care of them as quickly as possible.

If the store does have a script, then I’d follow that precisely. That way, I can cover any points that the manager, store owner, or corporate want discussed.

But regardless of what’s said, I’d also make sure that every customer is greeted with a smile and that I make eye contact. I believe that helps the customer feel seen and appreciated, so I make that a priority.”

12 More Subway Interview Questions

Here are 12 more Subway interview questions candidates may encounter:

1. 1. Why do you want to work at Subway?
   2. In your opinion, how does Subway stand out from the competition?
   3. What’s your favorite Subway menu item?
   4. Do you consider yourself a people person?
   5. Can you tell me about your fast food or restaurant experience?
   6. What is your availability? Are you able to work nights, weekends, and holidays?
   7. How would you describe excellent customer service?
   8. How do you stay motivated when handling a repetitive task?
   9. Do you have past experience dealing with difficult customers?
   10. What steps do you take to remain organized?
   11. Are you comfortable with multi-tasking?
   12. Do you have a current food handler’s card?

5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of a Subway Interview

As your interview begins to draw to a close, the hiring manager usually asks if you have any questions for them. While many candidates think that saying “no” works in their favor, that isn’t the case.

By having intelligent questions to ask, you come across as engaged and enthusiastic, which can help you stand out. Plus, it’s a chance to learn more about the job, location, and company culture.

During your interview, a few questions may come to mind that you’d want to ask. If that’s the case, by all means, bring them up. However, it’s also smart to have a couple of spare questions in your back pocket. That way, you won’t draw a blank when this critical moment arrives.

If you aren’t sure what to ask, here are five good questions to ask at the end of a Subway interview:

1. 1. What does a typical day look like in this role?
   2. How is success measured in this position?
   3. Does Subway offer growth and development opportunities that can help me advance in my career?
   4. How does Subway approach team-building?
   5. What’s your favorite part about working for Subway, and what do you like about being in this location specifically?

Putting It All Together

At this point, you should have a decent idea of what to expect when you’re facing Subway interview questions. Make sure to use everything outlined above to your advantage. That way, when you’re answering interview questions at Subway, you can make the best possible impression, increasing the odds that you’ll get the job.

You got this!

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