Subway, which has 7 outlets in Kildare, is expanding

The Subway brand, which has at present seven stores in Co Kildare, plans to increase the number of outlets in Ireland and Northern Ireland to 321 by 2020.

The expansion will create around 408 new jobs.

This latest news follows recent store openings at the John Hume building, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare.

In total, the brand aims to increase the number of stores in the UK and Ireland to 3,000 by 2020, creating around 5,000 new jobs.

Subway said the expansion plans are in response to consumer demand for more affordable quality ingredients and healthier choices.

Subway stores serve over three million customers each week – all salad ingredients are freshly prepared each day with each Sub or salad made-to-order in front of the customer, each and every day.

Peter Dowding, Country Director for UK and Ireland commented: “Our fantastic growth is a testament to the hard work and effort of our franchisees. Our franchise model is tried and tested, it works for entrepreneurs and it works for us. We are confident our business model will continue to grow as more and more consumers demand great tasting food at a value price-point.

"With 5,000 new jobs expected over the next three years, opening up a further 500 stores demonstrates not only the value of the business to our franchisees but also collectively, the real and significant contribution to Irish and British economies.”