Subway has a new footlong menu item with Doritos: What it is, how to get one for free
If you've ever wanted to eat a footlong's worth of nachos, now is your chance.
Subway and Doritos have teamed up to introduce the Doritos Footlong Nachos, available now at Subway restaurants nationwide for a limited time while supplies last for $5.
The nachos are prepared to order and feature classic Doritos Nacho Cheese flavored chips, cheddar cheese sauce and shredded Monterey cheddar cheese, and topped with spicy jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes and red onions, and finished with a zesty Baja Chipotle sauce.
Customers can also add rotisserie-style chicken or steak at no extra cost, as well as a scoop of smashed avocado for an extra charge.
"Subway's newest partnership takes everything our fans love about Subway sandwiches – from quality veggies, proteins and tasty toppings – to the next level with the cheesy flavor and iconic crunch of Doritos," said Paul Fabre, Senior Vice President, Culinary and Innovation at Subway, in a news release Thursday.
How to get free Doritos Footlong Nachos April 10
To celebrate the new item, Subway is giving customers a chance to try all three varieties of Doritos Footlong Nachos for free.
On Thursday, April 10, Subway MVP Rewards members can unlock a special offer – one free Doritos Footlong Nachos with the purchase of any footlong sub.
"The offer will drop in all Subway MVP Rewards accounts on April 10 and will be available the entire day to redeem via the Subway app, Subway.com or in-restaurant using the phone number associated with the account," the sandwich chain said in a news release.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Just how did 'Wizard of Oz' at Sphere Las Vegas take Dorothy from 2D to 4D?
LAS VEGAS – In a month, the Las Vegas Sphere will be turned into the verdant splendor of Emerald City. And the vibrant mosaic of Munchkinland. And the dusty amber plains of Kansas. It's 'The Wizard of Oz' not just as a film, but an experience. A place where the 160,000 square feet of Sphere screen transports you into Dorothy Gale's world and, through the use of 4D and haptics, immerses you in the feeling of being inside a tornado and makes you cower at the sight of those dastardly flying monkeys heading from the Wicked Witch's lair to your seat. The film, which opens Aug. 28 at the technologically sophisticated venue just off the Las Vegas Strip, was chosen for Sphere-i-fication because of its generation-spanning appeal. 'It's a movie that your mother watched, that you watched with your grandmother or your kids,' says Jane Rosenthal, the Oscar-nominated producer helping helm the production. 'The movie became so beloved because you felt you could go into Munchkinland or the Emerald City even in a traditional TV format. It's a natural for the Sphere because of the elements that can be made immersive.' The Sphere's film has been in development for two years with a team of more than 2,000 filmmakers, technicians, audio experts and AI creatives working to transform Oz from a 2D world into an extraordinary envelopment of sight and sound. Las Vegas Sphere concerts: All the bands that are playing and how to get tickets Why the Sphere's 'Wizard of Oz' is an unparalleled experience Those involved with 'Oz' wouldn't confirm the $80 million price tag alluded to when the project was announced in August 2024. But, from the near-final pieces of the film USA TODAY observed in July, it's evident this has been an exhaustive, finely detailed endeavor. From the clarity of Judy Garland's doe eyes with eyelashes that can be counted to the 16-foot-long helium-filled monkeys steered by drone operators, it's sheer wonderment. And the tornado? You'll find yourself ducking in your seat at what feels like farm equipment and animals flying toward you as 750-horsepower fans built specifically for "Oz" hurl wind and (paper) leaves around the venue. To assume the film is merely glorified IMAX is akin to saying earbuds provide the same sound quality as $16,000 studio headphones. The $104 admission likely seems steep, but not as much after you factor in the cutting-edge experience and the Vegas location. How 'ethical AI' transformed 'The Wizard of Oz' at the Sphere The Sphere team worked closely with Warner Bros. and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to mine the 'Oz' archives from its original 1939 form. Transforming what was filmed for a 4:3 aspect ratio on a standard-sized movie screen to the 16K x 16K LED screen resolution of the Sphere required the use of what Rosenthal calls 'ethical AI.' The time required to convert the film also necessitated editing from its original run time of 102 minutes to 75. The artificial intelligence in 'Oz' was primarily used to extend frames to fill the Sphere screen. Rosenthal gives the example of an early scene when irritable neighbor Miss Gulch wants to take Toto – himself given a furry glow-up – from the Gale home. 'That was originally a three-shot, but as you widen the frame, you now see Uncle Henry standing by the door. You train the AI on Uncle Henry to create him making a move like putting his hand on the door,' she says. 'That stuff was difficult to do.' The Sphere team, with the aid of Warner Bros., found props and set designs from the original movie so objects such as photos on the wall in Professor Marvel's caravan could be generated onto the screen. Every frame of the film takes 300 hours (12.5 days) to render. An edit of a few seconds might take days to fix. And then there is the equilibrium between respecting a classic and elevating it to immersive heights. Award-winning technician Glenn Derry, the executive vice president of MSG Ventures, spent thousands of hours refining minutiae such as the breathtaking moment when Dorothy awakens in her sepia-toned heartland and steps into Technicolor Munchkinland, the yellow brick road seemingly stretching into space. 'We're trying to be tasteful with these things,' Derry says. 'I don't want to distract from the film because it's one of the great masterpieces. You want people to be part of it, but balance that with not being distracting.' Emotion and revelations and nostalgia, oh my So while the cranky apple tree will hurl featherweight red orbs at Sphere "Oz" viewers, and seats will vibrate with ominous warnings of the Wicked Witch or hopeful spasms when Glinda the Good Witch soars inside her pink bubble, the heart of 'Oz' – as the Tin Man would appreciate – is intact. Derry says his favorite effect is the hulking Wizard head, which almost sneaks in from the side of the screen while pyro is dispatched in front of it. 'It's a nostalgic thing for me,' Derry, whose father worked in the industry as a machinist and physical effects expert, says. 'I love the elements that you don't notice and then you turn and are surprised.' The revelations will begin as soon as moviegoers step into the atrium of the venue, which will be converted to an Oz-like atmosphere with interactive elements (that Wizard head might have another role along with booming on screen). It's an experience that simply cannot be duplicated. 'With the emotion of 'there's no place like home' and 'Over the Rainbow,' I feel fortunate to bring this movie to life,' Rosenthal says. 'A venue like Sphere makes you want to keep going to the movies.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
10 Reasons This Popular Sandwich Chain Is No Longer America's Favorite
Subway used to be a leading player in fast food, but has lost a lot of ground over the last decade. The chain -- known for its custom-made subs and "Eat Fresh" slogan -- is now struggling to keep pace with what consumers want and where food trends are going. Once the world's largest fast-food chain by store count, Subway has lost more than 7,000 stores since 2015 and continues to fall short compared to its fresher, more modern rivals. Central to its falloff is a menu that hasn't changed quickly enough -- or maybe just not meaningfully enough -- to keep up with changing tastes. Efforts to revamp the menu have not proven particularly successful. Health-conscious diners have also begun to question the chain's image as a healthy option, as studies and nutritional breakdowns show high levels of sodium, the downsides of eating an excess of processed meats, and controversial ingredient sourcing. Subway may have a holiday cookie big enough to stuff a stocking, but a series of scandals, a boom in underperforming franchise locations, and higher prices have only served to further tarnish its image over the years. Let's break down some of the reasons this once beloved chain is no longer America's sandwich go-to. Read more: 22 Fast Food Breakfast Menus Ranked From Worst To Best Fan Favorite Breads Have Disappeared One of the quieter shifts that irked long-time Subway fans was the gradual fading of a few favorite bread choices. Over the past few years, regulars have noticed that the classic Hearty Italian Bread and Jalapeño Cheddar Bread are missing from their stores. While Subway didn't officially declare their discontinuation, employees online have confirmed that a few breads have quietly been retired from their stores or are no longer on the delivery trucks. At first glance, the vanishing of a few breads feels small, yet bread has always defined Subway. Unlike many other fast food chains, where the bread plays a background role, Subway's loaves are the canvas on which the brand is painted. The fact that customers were able to pick from an array of hot, crusty choices set Subway apart when it was beginning to peak in the market. Losing the beloved breads in some locations has left many questioning if they want to continue dining at the chain. The fallout is bigger than pickiness. When the breads that first welcome a meatball, a veggie, a splash of red sauce start slipping away, it's easy for a diner's mind to picture tighter budgets or a brand that has lost its grip. Competitors Are Winning Subway's competitors in the sandwich industry are making it harder and harder to stay on top. For example, Jersey Mike's, which was acquired by Blackstone for $8 billion in 2024, has built a loyal customer base with its signature approach of slicing meats and cheeses fresh at the counter. Meanwhile, Firehouse Subs uses its firefighter-themed narrative to promote its hearty hot sandwiches, and Jimmy John's maintains its focus on quick service and basic menu options while using a fun company personality to appeal to younger customers. In short, Subway's rivals have very clearly defined identities compared to Subway. It also doesn't hurt that customers have lavished praise upon the sandwiches found at rival chains while comparing them to those sold at Subway. The customization model that once served as Subway's main advantage now feels outdated when compared to the streamlined presentation and carefully crafted menus of its competitors. This feels evident in the way the market is responding. According to CNN, Subway closed over 600 stores in 2024 alone, with its total number of locations in the U.S. dropping to less than 20,000 for the first time in two decades. Meanwhile, Subway's sandwich shop competitors are growing, with Jersey Mike's, Jimmy Johns, and Firehouse Subs all sharing ambitious expansion plans. It feels like Subway's image is still stuck in the 2000s, lacking the clarity and innovation needed to compete with these other modern players who understand exactly what today's sandwich lover wants. Failed Value Meals Reflect Weak Demand In an effort to win back customers and boost sales, Subway introduced a value meal promotion in 2024 that offered a 6-inch sub with a drink and your choice of chips or two cookies for $6.99. At first, the strategy looked solid. After all, discount lovers usually outnumber discount skeptics. But the reception was weak, and the promotion was quietly shelved after a few weeks, with sales and traffic reportedly falling short of Subway's projections. Its price alone wasn't the problem. Today's customers don't necessarily just view value as a number. Instead, they're looking for food that feels fresh, flavorful, and wholesome. A lower price is irrelevant if the product doesn't elevate the experience above the food served by rivals. Some food analysts also warn that value offers may actually be more damaging than restorative. The sharp price drops tend to lure deal-seekers -- once-off visitors that would be hunting for the next discount -- rather than the loyal, repeat customers Subway hopes to cultivate. Once the promo disappears, so do they. However, value promotions seem to work for other chains, such as Taco Bell and Wendy's, which shows that Subway is simply missing the mark in some way. Subway Is Not So Healthy After All Subway has built its brand around being the healthier fast food option. In the past few years, that reputation has taken a hit. The familiar green "Eat Fresh" slogan still features on its posters and ads, yet more customers are peeping under the hood and not really liking what they see. Plenty of Subway offerings are high in sodium, preservatives, and reconstituted meats. Take the classic 6-inch All-American Club, which contains a whopping 1,520 milligrams of sodium and 10 grams of saturated fat. Even seemingly lighter options, such as the All-Pro Sweet Onion Teriyaki, still deliver a surge of sugar at 20 grams per 6-inch sandwich (17 grams of which are added sugars). Lingering skepticism from past controversies hasn't helped. In 2017, a CBC Marketplace investigation claimed that DNA tests showed Subway's chicken was only 50% chicken, while the rest was soy-based. Subway denied this claim, but the idea of its fresh promise frayed in the eyes of many. Heavy Discounts, No Loyalty Subway uses intense discounting methods to attract customers through their footlong, BOGO deals, app-exclusive promotions, and meal bundles that run continuously. But while these tactics offer short-term sales spikes, they've failed to build lasting brand loyalty. Some franchisees have noted that an overreliance on deals has made Subway customers only want to buy from there when there are discounts. Instead of trying to nurture repeat buyers who value flavor, consistency, and the brand itself, the chain attracts price-driven diners who lose interest when a better deal shows up elsewhere. Ultimately, the true value of a footlong sandwich becomes unclear if its price can be halved through a single promotion. The product stops feeling premium and starts feeling disposable. As a promotional strategy, this can weaken brand perception while creating financial strain on franchisees who already operate with slim profit margins. Subway's deep discount model might get customers in the door, but it doesn't give them a reason to come back. Not All Subway Franchisees Are Happy Subway locations face the challenge of thinning franchisee resources in addition to stretched sandwich ingredients. Subway's corporate leadership has faced criticism from numerous operators over the past few years. The brand achieved its position as the biggest fast food chain with the most U.S. locations through aggressive expansion, yet this growth has also resulted in too many stores in close proximity, which has in turn impacted profitability. In 2021, some franchisees penned an open letter highlighting their dissatisfaction over the number of locations and low-quality ingredients. To make matters worse, some Subway franchisees are also unhappy with the discounts imposed on restaurants -- such as an app-only promotion for a $6.99 footlong sandwich -- when those who signed contracts after 2021 were unable to opt out of promotions. These corporate-mandated discounts create additional financial pressure on franchisees by reducing each location's already limited profit margins. The ongoing franchisee issues at Subway have become increasingly apparent as more locations shut down, thus threatening the chain's future stability. Subway Has Come Under Fire For Misleading Advertisements Subway has always raved about the freshness of its menu items, and yet the company has faced numerous issues with the claims made in its advertising throughout the years. In 2024, Subway was sued for allegedly misleading customers with advertisements that give the impression of a sandwich filled with meat, when the reality is a higher ratio of bread to filling. This isn't the first scandal related to Subway's advertising. In 2016, Subway faced a class-action lawsuit after customers discovered that certain footlong sandwiches fell short of reaching the 12-inch mark. The company settled the case after asserting that size differences occurred naturally without any intentional actions, and agreed to ensure that its sandwiches were 12 inches long in the future. Meanwhile, in 2021, another lawsuit was filed against Subway when laboratory tests questioned whether Subway served actual tuna in its products. The lawsuit was later dropped in 2023, and Subway added a page to its website to clarify that yes, it uses real tuna. However, the story spread rapidly through social media platforms, leaving some customers uncertain about their purchases. The repeated attacks on Subway's credibility and questions over its menu items have likely caused some harm to the brand with time. Customers Have Questioned Subway's Steak Preparation Meat has generated ongoing doubt from customers, with some questioning the quality of Subway's steak. A viral TikTok video once showed an employee tearing up some frozen steak from a plastic pack and measuring it out into 2.5-ounce portions, sparking widespread disgust about the authenticity of the sandwich meat. Some ex-Subway employees on Reddit have also confirmed that the frozen steak arrives in pre-made packs. As one Reddit user explained, "The meat is delivered as a compressed brick of pre-sliced and pre-cooked beef. ... I feel that there's more processing to Subway steak than 100% meat." While Subway openly lists the ingredients of its steak -- which includes preservatives such as citric acid, maltodextrin, and dextrose -- on its website, it has still become one more menu item that falls short of expectations. The outraged reactions on social media after discovering how Subway's steak is really prepared show how customer expectations regarding transparency, taste, and simplicity have changed over the years while exposing Subway's failure to meet these standards. Subway's Jared Fogle Scandal Still Hurts For years, the Subway brand used Jared Fogle as its main representative while the former Indiana University student walked the streets as a living embodiment of its health-oriented brand identity. The company built its marketing strategy on Fogle's well-known weight loss success, which he achieved through regular Subway sandwich consumption. Choosing a non-celebrity to authentically represent the brand was a genius move -- but then, in 2015, Fogle was convicted for possessing child pornography and illicit sexual conduct with a minor. This news shocked the public and sent the brand into crisis mode. Subway severed all ties with Fogle and eliminated his promotional content. Yet the harm persisted. The scandal damaged the wholesome, family-friendly image that Subway had built over multiple years. The company faced criticism from the public for its long-term relationship with Fogle. Subway has experienced ongoing difficulties in totally overcoming this incident. The public memory of the scandal continues to evoke uncomfortable feelings about the Subway brand, even though many years have passed since the incident. Fogle's downfall left a dent in Subway's brand identity. While the company attempted to fill the void with multiple marketing campaigns and celebrity endorsements -- and the Fogle incident is far from the only factor to have taken its toll on the brand -- Subway's reputation took an undeniable hit. Prices Keep Rising For a long time, Subway was popular for its affordable food options. After all, the jingle for Subway's $5 footlong was once a well-known tune. Sadly, a footlong now costs more than $5, with its regular, non-deal prices increasing to the point that customers are confused. This problem goes beyond inflation, with some questioning the value they receive for their money. Many customers have taken to social media to share their doubts that a basic sandwich with pre-cut meat, processed cheese, and basic toppings warrants Subway's current price point. These same customers claim that they can obtain a toasted panini from Panera, a fully loaded sub from Jersey Mike's, or a customizable bowl from Chipotle -- all of which promise better quality in their eyes -- for just a few dollars more than what Subway charges. Subway has attempted to defend its price increases through new menu items and its Subway Series launches, but some have criticized these offerings for being renamed versions of familiar subs with a few insubstantial additions. Customers who remember Subway as an affordable option struggle to accept the price increase since the chain has not made meaningful changes to its ingredients or introduced new innovations. When affordability and quality slip, customers do notice -- and they start looking elsewhere. Read the original article on Mashed. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Julia Garner spills on Silver Surfer secrets: 'I never looked so cool'
Julia Garner is enjoying her chrome era. There was instant fan love when Garner's Silver Surfer first appeared in a trailer for Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' (in theaters now). Since then, the character has inspired Instagram cosplayers as well as TikTokers meme-ing her in-movie message, heralding the coming of planet-devouring Galactus. 'I don't have a TikTok,' Garner says. 'People have been talking about TikTok. They're like, 'Did you know that this was going to be a thing on TikTok?' I'm like, no. I'm in disbelief that people even know me.' Playing the silver alien Shalla-Bal, though, 'I never looked so cool in my life,' Garner adds with a laugh. 'This looks almost like a Met Gala look or some high fashion thing.' Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Being in a Marvel movie is a departure for Garner, who won three Emmys for her role in the Netflix drama 'Ozark.' But she gets one heck of an entrance: In the retrofuturistic 1960s setting of 'Fantastic Four,' Shalla-Bal arrives in Times Square on a spiffy surfboard to warn that Earth is 'marked for death' and Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on the way. Since she's the one who identifies the planets that will be her boss' next meal, Shalla-Bal has a 'toxic relationship' with Galactus. 'There's no HR,' Garner quips. However, her connection with Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), the Human Torch and youngest Fantastic Four member, is one that's actually meaningful to her. 'She finds him amusing, but she doesn't really want to show him. Secretly, I think she likes the attention.' Garner, 31, who says she puts 'love, rage and secrets' in every role she plays, did a deep dive into Shalla-Bal's comic-book history. In Marvel lore, she was the lover of Norrin Radd, and when he agreed to be Galactus' herald (and the original Silver Surfer) to spare their planet Zenn-La, they were separated. The actress was most surprised by 'actually how tragic her story is. If this was a human, you would be like, it's devastating. So that really resonated with me and helped ground it.' One thing she didn't find going down that geeky rabbit hole: Her character inspiring the 1989 Joe Satriani guitar track 'Back to Shalla-Bal.' In 2007's 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' Doug Jones played the Radd version of the Surfer. But director Matt Shakman wanted to use Shalla-Bal instead because 'First Steps' was a different universe than fans have seen – it takes place on Earth-828, as opposed to the MCU's Earth-616 – and that choice made for a 'really interesting story line' with Johnny. A lot of attention was paid to how the computer-generated Shalla-Bal would appear. Garner portrayed the Surfer via a motion-capture suit and a helmet with a GoPro-type camera attached, and it was important to Shakman that Shalla-Bal was shiny and 'completely reflective' but still 'emotionally powerful,' he says. Another fun fact: Copper veining was added to the Surfer's facade. 'There's a sense of old weathered metal in places, just this idea that she's been doing this a long time and she's gone through some pretty inhospitable environments. So there's a touch of history to her.' Shakman also hooked Garner up with surfing adviser Tehillah McGuinness to guide her with Shalla-Bal's movement. 'She surfs a neutron star. She surfs a wormhole, she surfs real water, she surfs lava. There's a lot of great ways to make use of her Surfer-ness in the movie,' the director says. With McGuinness' help, Garner learned how to feel comfortable and balanced on the board, 'and not look clumsy, like you're in control,' she adds. Garner, who next stars in the horror film "Weapons" (in theaters Aug 8), found ways to add her own secret sauce to the Silver Surfer. For the opening message to humanity, she studied how T.S. Eliot would read his own poetry. 'It was very eerie in a way but also comforting at the same time,' she says. To get in Shalla-Bal's mindset before takes, she'd listen to spacey '70s krautrock music ('I just imagined that that's what she would be surfing to') and also learned to speak her character's fictional native tongue, Zenn-Lavian. 'It's not as hard as you would think. It's not like learning Japanese or something,' Garner laughs. 'Would I want a monologue in Zenn-Lavian? No. But I can say a few lines.' And while Garner became the Silver Surfer, she hasn't tried out her newfound board skills in real life. Nor will she. 'The water that I enjoy is that kiddie water that doesn't have any sort of wave,' she says with a smile. 'I'm quite scared of waves.'
