It has almost 43,000 locations in more than 110 countries, making it the biggest fast food chain in the world. Since Subway restaurants are so common, many people view them as a perfect option for an employer. Even though there are often openings, you will still have to beat other people to the job, so you need to be sure you can answer all of the Subway interview questions.
You can make sure you’re ready for all of Subway’s interview questions, though, if you do some work ahead of time. Here’s what you need to know.
Landing a Subway manager position can be a rewarding career move but it requires nailing the interview. To help you shine we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide featuring the top 25 Subway manager interview questions, along with expert-crafted answers and valuable insights.
1, Can you share your experience with overseeing the day-to-day operations of a fast-food restaurant?
Answer:
“Absolutely! In my previous role as a [previous role], I honed my skills in overseeing all aspects of a fast-food restaurant’s operations This included managing staff schedules, ensuring food safety compliance, maintaining high customer service standards, and optimizing inventory control to minimize waste while meeting demand I’m confident in my ability to lead a team effectively, foster a positive work environment, and contribute to the overall success of the Subway outlet.”
2 How would you handle an employee who is consistently late for their shift?
Answer:
“Addressing an employee’s consistent tardiness would involve a balanced approach. I would start with a private conversation to find out if there are any good reasons for their being late. If the problem keeps happening, I’d give a formal warning over the phone and write down what we talked about. Company policy says that if things don’t get better, we’ll give written warnings. During this process, I wanted to make sure everyone knew how important being on time was for teamwork and customer service, while also showing understanding and helping out where it was needed. “.
3, In what ways have you previously implemented cost-cutting measures to improve overall profitability?
Answer:
“In my previous experience, I implemented cost-cutting measures by focusing on inventory management. We were able to cut down on waste by keeping a close eye on stock levels and sales patterns. I also negotiated with suppliers for better pricing based on volume purchases. This not only reduced costs but also improved our relationships with them. Another strategy was optimizing labor costs through efficient scheduling. We ensured that staffing matched customer traffic patterns which minimized unnecessary labor expenses. All of these strategies worked together to make the business more profitable without lowering the quality of the products or making customers unhappy. “.
4. What would you do to make sure that our sandwich artists follow Subway’s rules for food quality and presentation?
Answer:
“Maintaining quality and presentation standards is paramount in the food industry. The reputation of a brand often hinges on these aspects. As someone who wants to be a manager at Subway, it’s my job to make sure that the sandwich artists always follow these rules. To show that I understand the brand’s standards, can enforce them, and can lead a team to meet these expectations, I need to show how I plan to do this task. “.
5. Describe how you’ve dealt with a situation where a customer had a complaint about their order.
Answer:
“In a previous situation, a customer was dissatisfied with their sandwich. I immediately apologized for the inconvenience and asked them to detail the problem. They mentioned that their order lacked certain ingredients. Understanding their frustration, I offered to remake the sandwich according to their specifications. While doing so, I engaged in light conversation to divert their attention from the initial negative experience. Post this incident, I held a team meeting to emphasize the importance of getting orders right the first time. We also discussed strategies to handle such situations better in the future. This approach not only resolved the issue at hand but also helped prevent similar occurrences moving forward.”
6. Could you discuss your approach to training new employees, especially in terms of Subway’s specific procedures and recipes?
Answer:
“My approach to training new employees involves a balance of hands-on experience and theoretical learning. I believe in starting with Subway’s core values, then moving onto the specifics like sandwich preparation and customer service. I would use visual aids such as videos or charts for recipe guidelines, ensuring they understand the importance of portion control and ingredient freshness. For practical knowledge, supervised shifts are crucial. This allows new hires to apply what they’ve learned while having immediate feedback and guidance. Regular check-ins and constructive feedback also play a vital role in their development and confidence building. It’s about creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes as part of the learning process.”
7. What steps would you take if a health inspector found violations during a routine check?
Answer:
“Upon receiving the report, I would immediately address any critical violations that pose immediate health risks. This could involve discarding spoiled food or fixing broken equipment. Next, I’d develop an action plan to rectify non-critical violations within a specified timeframe. This may include staff training on proper hygiene and sanitation procedures, or revising our cleaning schedule. I’d then communicate this plan with my team, ensuring everyone understands their roles in maintaining compliance. Lastly, once all issues are resolved, I’d request a follow-up inspection to confirm we’re meeting health standards. Regular self-checks will also be conducted to prevent future violations.”
8. How would you motivate team members to achieve sales goals during slower business periods?
Answer:
“Motivating team members during slower business periods can be challenging, but it’s crucial for maintaining overall sales performance. I would approach this by setting realistic targets and providing incentives. For instance, we could have a contest where the top-performing employee gets rewarded. This creates healthy competition among team members and encourages them to push harder. I’d also emphasize on training and development during these times. Upskilling employees not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their ability to sell effectively. Lastly, open communication is key. Regular feedback sessions help in understanding individual concerns and addressing them promptly. It’s essential to maintain a positive work environment even during slow periods.”
9. Have you ever had to manage a staff shortage? If so, how did you cope with that situation?
Answer:
“Yes, I have managed staff shortages in the past. My approach was to first assess the situation and identify critical areas that needed immediate attention. I then redistributed tasks among existing team members, ensuring they were not overwhelmed but still maintaining productivity. In parallel, I expedited recruitment efforts for new hires. During this period, open communication was key. I made sure everyone was updated about the situation and their temporary responsibilities. This helped maintain morale and ensured smooth operations until we returned to full staffing levels.”
10. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult or disruptive employee?
Answer:
“In a previous role, I had an employee who was consistently late and often disruptive during team meetings. I decided to address the issue directly but empathetically. I set up a private meeting to discuss their behavior. During this conversation, I made sure to listen to their side of the story. It turned out they were dealing with personal issues that affected their punctuality and focus at work. Together, we developed a plan to improve their time management skills and provided resources for them to manage their personal challenges. Over time, their performance improved significantly. This experience taught me the importance of open communication and empathy in handling difficult situations.”
11. How familiar are you with Subway’s menu and customization options?
Answer:
“I’m quite familiar with Subway’s menu and the customization options it offers. I understand that customers can choose from a variety of breads, proteins, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces to create their own unique sandwich. Subway also offers wraps, salads, and breakfast items, all customizable as well. Additionally, there are pre-designed sandwiches like the Meatball Marinara or Chicken Teriyaki for those who prefer not to customize. Understanding these options is crucial in ensuring customer satisfaction and managing inventory effectively.”
12. What tactics would you employ to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty?
Answer:
“This question is asked because in the fast-paced food industry, customer satisfaction and loyalty play a pivotal role in the success of any establishment. As a manager, my strategies for enhancing these aspects will directly impact the overall performance of the store. It’s also a way for the hiring team to see my understanding of the brand’s values and customer base, and how I plan to align my leadership style with them.
Do you have any expectations in regard to your colleagues when on a shift?
Overall, Subway restaurants are team-oriented environments. That’s not all the hiring manager wants to know: can you work well with others? What do you expect from them?
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
Top 3 Subway Interview Questions
Many people assume that every Subway interview is exactly the same. However, that isn’t always the case.
As a large chain, Subway hires for a wide array of roles. Along with sandwich artists, each restaurant will have a management team. Plus, they have corporate positions, including jobs in accounting, advertising, human resources, IT, and more.
Since Subway hires a broad selection of professionals, the interview questions at Subway can differ. After all, asking a sandwich artist about advertising skills just doesn’t make sense. The questions instead focus on the role itself, which helps the hiring manager find the best person for the job.
However, most people begin their Subway career as sandwich artists. Since that’s the case, we’re going to focus on Subway interview questions those candidates are likely to face. With that in mind, here’s a look at our top three Subway interview questions and answers.
Interviewing Tips from a Subway Hiring Manager
FAQ
What questions do they ask at a Subway interview?
What is the responsibility of a Subway manager?
What makes a good manager interview answer?
What are the top subway interview questions?
Insider info on the top Subway interview questions tossed at candidates. Expertly crafted answers that’ll make Subway think: “Where have you been all our life?” A crash course on the Subway ethos and how to sprinkle it into every answer. Crafting The Perfect Sandwich (And Answer!): Your dream? Crafting subs that wow. Our dream?
What is a subway interview?
In-Person Interview The core of the Subway interview process is a sit-down interview at the store with the local manager. Come prepared to discuss your work history, availability, reliability, and how you’d handle real-world scenarios on the job. Your answers here make the biggest impact on hiring.
Why should you answer a subway interview question?
While it might feel like an odd question, the hiring manager is trying to better understand who you are as an individual and how your personality and interests might contribute to the Subway team. Your answer offers clues about your motivation, adaptability, and potential to grow within the company. How to Craft Your Response?
How do you answer a job interview at subway?
Answering effectively means sharing a real-life, relevant scenario from a past job. Make it relatable to the job you’re applying for at Subway. It could be a story about being understaffed during particularly busy hours, dealing with a difficult customer, or even working through logistical issues.
