Quiznos is debuting a new limited-time menu including two pulled-pork sandwiches, new salads and a whole-grain flatbread wrap, as it reveals expansion plans, including 50 new locations in Hess gas-and-retail outlets in Florida.
The new Southern BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich features slow-roasted shredded pork, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, pickles, yellow mustard and smoky barbecue sauce. It is available for a limited time at the promotional price of $5 for a large sandwich.
Following the promotion, the sandwich will appear on Quiznos’ signature menu at a recommended $7.99 for a large.
The additional new sandwich, the Cuban Pork, tops slow-roasted and shredded pork with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, yellow mustard and mayonnaise for a recommended $7.99 for a large.
Zack Calkins, Quiznos’ senior vice president of culinary creation, said in a statement that he developed the sandwiches after tasting trips to Chicago, San Francisco and the South.
“Pulled pork has been rising in popularity recently and this trend represented an opportunity to further expand our chef-inspired menu offerings,” he said. “We’ve been developing these flavors over the past four months and they are definitely ready for prime time.”
The Farmers Market salads, available on a limited-time basis, borrow elements from the fine dining world. A Harvest Chicken Salad, for example, includes honey dijon chicken, pumpkin seeds, grapes, apples, dried cranberries, cucumbers, tomatoes and acai vinaigrette.
The new Caprese Chicken Salad features chicken with fresh mozzarella pearls marinated in basil pesto dressing. The salads are priced at a recommended $3.19 for a small and $5.99 for a regular.
Besides growing its menu offerings, the more than 3,500-unit chain is continuing a strategy launched last year that focuses on convenience store expansion. It currently has nearly 200 outlets in C-store locations, mostly independent or small regional chains.
The Hess partnership is Quiznos’ largest so far, and company officials said it marks a significant milestone toward the company’s goal of becoming the premier quick-service partner in the C-store market.
Quiznos has tested nine outlets in Hess stores in the Tampa area this year. Based on the success of those tests, Hess now plans to expand the relationship to add more than 40 additional Quiznos units in Tampa stores by the end of the year.
“The combination of Quiznos’ brand recognition, unique toasted flavors and excellent operating platform gives Hess customers exactly what they are looking for,” said Rick Lawlor, Hess’s vice president of retail sales and marketing, in a statement. “The Florida test proved that Quiznos is a solid partner that can attract new traffic into our stores.”
New York-based Hess, which operates about 1,350 locations along the East Coast, is also testing Quiznos outlets in New Jersey, according to a Quiznos spokeswoman. Hess officials are also considering adding the sandwich shops in Miami and Orlando.
Although offering a limited menu, Quiznos’ Hess outlets will feature signature sandwiches and hot breakfast items, as well as grab-and-go options. The new menu items rolled out Monday are available at participating locations nationwide.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
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