Got a sad desk salad story? Subway might just trade you a footlong for it.
Through its “Lunchtime Horrors” giveaway running from Oct. 12 through Oct. 16, the sandwich chain is inviting fans to head to its website and vent about meals that let them down.
Subway’s even tossing out a few ideas to spark some inspiration, like a $20 smoothie that left you starving, a $25 salad that wasn’t worth it, or a burger so greasy it knocked you out for the afternoon.
Those who share their culinary regrets will be entered into a daily pool where a thousand winners are selected. The prize is a $15 digital gift card, enough for a footlong, so 5,000 sandwiches are up for grabs over the five days. Telling your story doesn’t guarantee you one, however.
Subway’s pitch leans on its own poll. The company surveyed 1,010 American adults and found that two out of three people sometimes wish they’d eaten something else at lunch. For many, the midday meal simply doesn’t satisfy, with about a third reporting walking away still hungry, and nearly as many felt ripped off by the price. Beyond the daily slump, 35% of those who answered the poll regretted eating something unhealthy, while seven in ten admit to skipping lunch entirely at least once a week.
To that effect, Subway seems to want to position its giveaway as a quick fix. “We make sandwiches, not time machines, but we can give people something to look forward to at their next lunch,” said Jeff Klein, Subway’s chief marketing officer, in a statement.
The sentiment also ties directly into “Feed Your SUBconscious,” the broader ad campaign the fast-food chain kicked off in September featuring Will Arnett as the witty voice in your head nudging you toward a sub.
“This Halloween, we’re giving Americans a chance to act on it, with thousands of freshly prepared Footlongs on us,” Klein added.
Free food stunts aren’t new territory for Subway. Back in April, the chain promised a year of free sandwiches (about $2,600 worth of gift cards) to anyone who found a meteorite during the Lyrid meteor shower and got it verified.
Unsurprisingly, given the near-impossible odds of stumbling upon a space rock in your backyard, the promotion passed quietly without a confirmed winner claiming the grand prize, making the “Lunchtime Horrors” digital gift card giveaway a much safer bet for hungry fans.
Sources: PR Newswire, Subway, Dexerto