# Bo Dietl Arby's commercial about Subway **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896 "2012-10-06T13:05:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/41 "2012-10-08T19:23:56Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > Unlike McDonalds and other competitors, Subway locations are all franchises. Most fast-food restaurants are actually franchised: [70% of McDonalds restaurants worldwide are franchisee-owned.](http://www.thefranchisemall.com/franchises/details/10357-0-mcdonalds.htm)[McDonalds only operates 15% of their restaurants themselves.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s#Business_model) [90% of Burger King restaurants are franchisee-owned.](http://franchises.about.com/od/fastfoo1/fr/burger-king.htm) [80+% of Taco Bell restaurants are franchisee-owned](http://www.franchisegator.com/taco-bell-franchise/). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/42 "2012-10-08T19:35:12Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > A real deli, yes. But deli meats in a restaurant or supermarket are usually the processed stuff. Speaking of real delis, why would anyone in NYC go to Arby’s(or Subway for that matter) for a deli-style sandwich? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/43 "2012-10-08T19:42:00Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Most fast-food restaurants are actually franchised You understand that most \< all, right? That was the point that was being made. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/44 "2012-10-08T21:22:10Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > You understand that most \< all, right? Having passed math in 4th grade, yes, I do. 😃 > [@KneadToKnow](#): > > That was the point that was being made. The point that was being made was: > [@anson2995](#): > > I suspect that there’s a lot of variation between locations. Being 100% franchisee-owned versus 70+% franchisee-owned probably doesn’t make much of a difference in this regard. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/45 "2012-10-09T00:16:51Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Speaking of real delis, why would anyone in NYC go to Arby’s(or Subway for that matter) for a deli-style sandwich? I ask that all the time myself. I guess one must love sliced cucumbers, as I general don’t see those available. Doesn’t mean they aren’t, just I haven’t noticed them. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/46 "2012-10-09T16:46:38Z")
I guess Arbys doesn’t have much else they can claim as an advantage over their competitors. Their “Frankenroasts” are made in a factory and shipped to the restaurants. Who cares whether it comes pre-sliced or sliced at the restaurant, it’s still solidified meat paste. It’s like a politician arguing that HIS mistress goes to church every Sunday. Re: Subway counting olive slices: I have only been to one Subway that was stingy with their ingredients. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some franchise owners were really anal about portion control but it’s far from the norm in my experience. I’ve only been to a very small portion of the 80,000 franchises though. ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/47 "2012-10-09T16:54:29Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Really? I hated that and was glad they stopped doing it. > > Since it was apparently important enough for you to (temporarily) stop eating there over it, can I ask what the big advantage is? no advantage, I just really hate change. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/48 "2012-10-09T17:51:19Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > This was somewhat a big deal here due to the factory being in Iowa. A [link](http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/10/02/arbys-slam-of-mount-pleasant-sliced-meat-angers-iowans/article)to the story in the local paper. > > Yes its true Bo’s a New Yorker. To them real food doesn’t come from Iowa. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/49 "2012-10-09T18:06:41Z")
I won’t eat food from either of those places, so I don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/50 "2012-10-09T18:46:49Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was surprised by that commercial. _Where_ the meat is sliced is probably the least important thing I care about in a sandwich. One of the most important IMHO. Deli meats get stale quick. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I won’t eat food from either of those places, so I don’t care. Glad you could drop by. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/51 "2012-10-09T20:29:02Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Glad you could drop by. Sorry, should have just deleted the whole post. It wasn’t even decent thread shitting. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/52 "2012-10-09T20:52:47Z")
I don’t really get why that ad would put people off eating in Subway. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/53 "2012-10-10T05:10:47Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I don’t really get why that ad would put people off eating in Subway. Me neither. Not because there might not be a difference in flavor, but how does knowing about how the food is made change my perception of the flavor? I’ve already tried the food there, and I already know if I like it. If I’m already eating there, which this ad supposed, telling me it’s not sliced in store when I thought it was would only serve to make me think that the slicing must not matter much. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/54 "2012-10-10T10:57:36Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > That’s called [portion control,](http://restaurants.about.com/od/menu/a/Restaurant-Portion-Control.htm) and every franchise (and most restaurants) do it. Profit margins are thin and every effort is made to keep costs within a narrow range. To most visitors to the US from other countries, the notion that restaurants operate portion control is rather amusing. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/55 "2012-10-10T12:18:52Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Me neither. Not because there might not be a difference in flavor, but how does knowing about how the food is made change my perception of the flavor? I’ve already tried the food there, and I already know if I like it. If I’m already eating there, which this ad supposed, telling me it’s not sliced in store when I thought it was would only serve to make me think that the slicing must not matter much. The ad isn’t saying “Don’t eat there” its saying “Try us we are better.” It is trying to say why its better. Just because you are eating there already doesn’t mean you can’t discover that there is a place you like even more. I always felt that Subway was stale and tasteless. I always figured it was because the meat was sliced days before. Now that I know it is frozen and thawed I understand better. That is why I rarely go there. We have a sub shop not far from here that has such a good reputation for sandwiches the president stopped there for a photo op and short speech last year. I go there when I want a sandwich. If subway is one of my few choices I get the tuna on wheat. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/56 "2012-10-10T12:41:02Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > To most visitors to the US from other countries, the notion that restaurants operate portion control is rather amusing. 😛 I must be missing the joke. Why is it amusing? ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/57 "2012-10-10T12:50:20Z")
> [@fubbleskag](#): > > I stopped eating at subway when they dropped the u–gouge. Then an employee told me that they would make my sandwich the old way on request. Been ordering it that way ever since without issue. I stopped eating at Subway when the dropped swiss cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/58 "2012-10-10T13:03:54Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > I stopped eating at Subway when the dropped swiss cheese. Yeah, dropped cheese picks up a certain “floor” flavor, but I’ve always been amused by its presumption. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/59 "2012-10-10T14:21:39Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I must be missing the joke. Why is it amusing? Because US portions are typically far bigger than portions elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896/60 "2012-10-10T14:43:57Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I don’t really get why that ad would put people off eating in Subway. I’m reasonably sure that the purpose behind the ad is to challenge Subway on their “fresh” positioning, which they’ve used for the past couple of years. Arby’s has probably done some consumer research which told them that some consumers believe that “Subway’s food is fresh, so that must mean they slice their lunch meat in the store”, and some marketing guy at Arby’s realized that, since Arby’s slices their meat in-store, it’s a point of difference between them and Subway. Speaking as a marketing / advertising guy, I think it’s probably a difference without any real meaning behind it to most consumers, and, thus, it’s an ad idea which probably won’t live very long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-dietl-arbys-commercial-about-subway/636896.md?page=4)