• by Teresa Buyikian , July 22, 2025

After a “comprehensive search” spanning the last eight months, Subway has finally tapped a new CEO, who will start July 28.

The mega chain hired Jonathan Fitzpatrick, who fills the shoes left vacant by the retirement announcement last November of former CEO John Chidsey.

Fitzpatrick joins Subway most recently from serving as president and CEO for automotive services company Driven Brands, parent of firms including Meineke Car Care Centers.

Before that, Fitzpatrick spent many years in leadership positions at Burger King, rising to the position of executive vice president, chief brand and operations officer. On the job, he led the QSR’s “menu overhaul… simplified restaurant operations and reimagined the guest experience while modernizing the restaurant's global image,” according to a press release.

When Chidsey announced his departure in November, interim CEO Carrie Walsh took the reins. Walsh, who was previously global chief marketing officer, also maintained her current role as president of Europe, Middle East and Africa (the brand’s second largest region encompassing 50 countries and territories). Prior to joining Subway in 2019, she held senior roles at Yum Brands, Pizza Hut and PepsiCo.

Chidsey held the CEO position for five years, after joining the company in 2019 as the brand’s first CEO outside of the founding family.

Subwaycurrently operates an estimated 37,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories, making it the third largest global QSR behind McDonald’s and Starbucks. The brand’s latest U.S. collaboration is with the Netflix film "Happy Gilmore 2," a sequel to the 1996 cult favorite starring Adam Sandler.