• by Teresa Buyikian , October 24, 2023

Quiznos’ rodent-esque mascots with distorted human teeth and eyes, the Spongmonkeys, are back, and making an odd demand: that the month of October be extended to a 32^nd day.

"The Gregorian calendar was last changed in 1582, more than a century before the Earl of Sandwich was born. In the years since we've perfected the sandwich, but the calendar has stayed the same. This year we want to change that," said Quiznos CMO Brent Philip in a release.

Halloween is the Spongmonkeys’ favorite holiday where they participate in a 24-hour trick or treating marathon,  so they are calling for a day of recovery on the 32^nd, according to the release.

To “support” the movement, Quiznos will offer guests a free sub sandwich on the 32^nd with a $10 purchase. In the event no changes are made to the standard calendar, the offer will be good on Nov. 1. Customers must be a member of Quiznos’ loyalty program Toasty Points and have the app to receive the offer.

"We see October 32 as a national recovery day.... We'll just delay November 1 by a day so other great holidays, such as National Calzone Day and International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day would still be celebrated, just postponed by a day,” commented the “Spongmonkeys” in the release.

The peculiar mascots originally launched in 2004 TV effort. Their return is marked by a “debut single” on Spotify, “We Love the Subs!” which sound is reminiscent of a 1980’s Casio keyboard with such lines as “We love the subs because they are good to us.” The mascots’ return is also promoted via the Quiznos’ website, with images of the tiny, odd creatures on a road trip in search of Quiznos and an accompanying video.

There is also a poll on the site regarding the mascots’ return: “Love them or hate them -- Are you happy to see the Spongmonkeys return?” where site visitors can vote either, “Hell yeah! I love a highbrow approach to advertising!” or “Ugh, no. Not into nightmare visions.” Currently 86% voted “love.”