Anxious about where to meet for that first date? Want somewhere cozy and warm? How about reliable food? What about a romantic fireplace? And of course, this all has to be at a reasonable price. Well, have we got the perfect place for you. No, it's not the neighborhood café, it's Subway. Nation's Restaurant News reports that Subway will be following in the latest fast food trend and going upscale - and we weren't joking about the fireplace.
It's a far cry from the bare bones sandwich chain known for taking Jared down a few sizes. The new Subway Café will be a coffee bar/sandwich shop hybrid. Along with the standard Subway fare, the cafés will also serve hot and cold espresso drinks from Seattle's Best, plus frozen blended beverages and teas. The menus will also include more elaborate items that will vary location to location.
And speaking of locations, these Subway Cafés won't be found on just any corner. The company implemented this concept not only to compete with a growing field of upscale chain competition, but also to appeal to office building and high-end venues as a valuable business to include in the complex. Fifteen Subway Cafés have opened so far, and the company will be adding ten more by the end of the year.
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Of course, Subway isn't the only chain making an effort to be more upscale. Last year Starbucks began opening Starbucks-branded local-esque coffee shops that also sold craft beers and local wines after 4pm, according to an MSNBC article. Each shop is designed to appear as a café that has been in the neighborhood for years with communal tables built by local artists. Even the lighting is dimmed to ease customers into a mellow mood. It's a far cry from the crowded cattle call that our local Starbucks most resembles on a Monday morning.
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And it's not just Subway: Just when you finally got your Whopper order down and that perfect, handmade blend of diet soda, regular soda and a touch of lemonade - now you'll have to decide what kind of beer works best with that sesame seed bun. CNN reports that the Burger King Whopper Bar, which opened its first location in Miami's fashionable South Beach last February. Locations have now cropped up in many major cities. The Burger Bars have a sleek, modern look and sell many variations on the traditional Whopper including a steakhouse version complete with blue cheese. And let's not forget about the beer.
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Not to be left out, McDonald's has announced that its restaurants will be undergoing a $1 billion revamping, according to Brand Channel. The goal will be to make McDonald's into a McHomier place. Gone will be the bright yellows and garish reds, the too-bright lights and, well, general fast-food restaurant feel. Instead, McDonald's eateries will be swathed in subtle colors with wooden tables and leather chairs. Don't count on kicking back in your local McDonald's yet - the renovations will not be complete until 2015.
