The Shelton-based sandwich chain, Subway has named Jonathan Fitzpatrick as its next CEO, effective July 28. A seasoned fast-food executive with roots at Burger King and a recent track record as CEO of Driven Brands, Jonathan Fitzpatrick now takes the reins of a brand in transition.
He replaces John Chidsey, who stepped down late last year after guiding Subway through a pivotal period that included a high-stakes acquisition by Roark Capital, a revamped menu, and the opening of dual headquarters in Connecticut and Florida.
Jonathan Fitzpatrick’s appointment signals Roark’s clear intent: operational discipline and accelerated growth at a brand that still holds global weight.
Jonathan Fitzpatrick joins Subway after nearly 13 years at the helm of Driven Brands, the automotive services parent behind Maaco and Meineke. Like Subway, Driven Brands is owned by Roark Capital, the Atlanta-based private equity firm known for its portfolio of consumer service franchises, from Arby’s to Dunkin’.
Prior to Driven Brands, Jonathan Fitzpatrick held multiple senior leadership positions at Burger King. His final role there, Chief Brand and Operations Officer, placed him at the center of the company’s operational turnaround and brand repositioning efforts.
That’s exactly the kind of expertise Subway now needs.
“I’m honored to lead this iconic brand that has been serving guests around the world for 60 years,” he said in a company statement. “I’m excited by the opportunity to shape the future of the company… and help drive increased sales and franchisee profitability and grow our brand around the world.”
He’ll work alongside interim CEO Carrie Walsh, who has led operations since Chidsey’s departure. Walsh, a Subway veteran and former global CMO, will remain through the transition period.
Founded in 1965, Subway remains a top-10 U.S. restaurant brand by sales volume, with nearly 37,000 locations globally. But its dominance in the fast-food industry has slipped in recent years, pressured by a new wave of fast-casual sandwich chains, Jersey Mike’s, Firehouse Subs, and Potbelly, among others.
According to Technomic, Subway generated $9.5 billion in U.S. sales last year, placing it ninth among all restaurant chains, just behind Burger King.
The brand still carries considerable equity with consumers. But it’s been fighting to reclaim cultural relevance and franchisee confidence.
Under Chidsey, Subway began a major transformation. Headquarters moved from Milford to a corporate park in Shelton. A Miami hub was also established. The menu got a significant overhaul. The $10 billion sale to Roark was finalized.
What comes next depends heavily on leadership, and execution.
Jonathan Fitzpatrick offers both brand-building credentials and operational rigor. At Driven Brands, he expanded the company’s footprint aggressively, taking it public in 2021 and positioning it as a leader in the fragmented car-care category.
That experience managing large networks of independently owned service providers translates well to Subway’s franchise-heavy model. So does his Burger King pedigree.
He also understands the Roark playbook.
That familiarity could streamline internal alignment between Subway and its private equity owner, a subtle but important factor when big decisions need to move quickly.
Roark, for its part, is staying largely behind the scenes. But the appointment makes it clear they’re placing Subway’s future in trusted hands.
With Jonathan Fitzpatrick on board, Subway’s next chapter will likely focus on the following:
The appointment also sends a signal to the broader industry: Subway isn’t settling into slow decline. It’s actively preparing for a resurgence.
Whether Jonathan Fitzpatrick can unlock that next phase remains to be seen. But the strategy appears clear. Roark is turning once again to a trusted executive with a history of scaling systems, building brand equity, and delivering returns.
And in the world of fast food, where loyalty is fragile and margins are tight, that’s exactly the kind of leadership Subway will need to stay in the game and thrive.
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