Subway food scandal shows franchise model difficulties   

賽百味被曝偷改食材日期 品牌加盟管理再現難題

(ECNS) -- The fast-food chain Subway has been exposed for replacing expiration tags on certain ingredients at its Xihaiguoji outlet in Beijing, Beijing Business Today reported.

The Food and Drug Administration of Haidian District in Beijing has since sent officers to carry out inspections, but has thus far found no evidence of Subway selling expired food. The investigation continues.

Subway, which primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads, has 42,000 outlets around the world and 479 restaurants in China.

With its "Eat Fresh" logo the company promises that its food conforms to the highest quality and safety standards. However, Subway has been found violating this guarantee before.

A franchise business model could prove risky for transnational restaurant chains, as one outlet with poor supervision and management could harm the entire group, analysts said.

Tomaz Hladnik, General Manager of the Greater China Region for Subway, said that even with good business performance, restaurant operators will not survive if food safety is not guaranteed.