These Submarines Are Surfacing
As Americans have begun to eat more healthfully, the humble sandwich has emerged as a mighty contender to burgers, fried chicken, and pizza. So if you want to make some bread, opening a sandwich shop may be a smart move.

Here's our list of the 10 sandwich franchises that scored the highest in our AllBusiness AllStar franchise rankings.
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1. Subway
Subway's size (it ranked first in system size) and strong brand recognition were key factors in its #1 position on our AllBusiness AllStar list. Subway's impactful marketing and advertising positions it well for what consumers want right now: healthful food options and great value.

Check out the full Subway franchise profile.

2. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops
Although restaurants overall are facing tough times as consumers tighten their wallets, the sandwich sector has been a bright spot in the industry. Founded in 1983 by then 19-year-old Jimmy John Liautaud, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops have enjoyed impressive growth. The company is focused on fresh gourmet sandwiches, and an irreverent attitude is a big part of the restaurants' appeal.

Check out the full Jimmy John's franchise profile.

3. Firehouse Subs
Founded by former firefighter brothers Robin and Chris Sorenson, Firehouse is building brand awareness for its firefighting-themed restaurants. The company started in 1994 and has quickly spread to 14 states. The sub concept's strengths are its relatively low-cost menu items and the positioning of sandwiches as a more healthful alternative to fast food.

Check out the full Firehouse Subs franchise profile.

4. McAlister's Deli
McAlister's Deli has been franchising for 20 years, which makes it an experienced player in the franchise world. McAlister's prefers its franchisees be multi-unit operators who are already in the restaurant industry and are seeking a new concept to add to their roster of locations. This strategy has helped the company enjoy more than 40 percent growth in its U.S. franchise locations between 2006 and 2008.

Check out the full McAlister's Deli franchise profile.

5. Pita Pit
With growth of more than 40 percent between 2006 and 2008, Pita Pit's plan for expansion across the U.S. appears to be on track. Pita Pit offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus online ordering, as a way to capture as many sales as possible.

Check out the full Pita Pit franchise profile.

6. Arby's
Early last year, Arby's announced it had exceeded its 2007 development goals by opening 148 new restaurants and signing deals for new restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada. By the end of last year the company had announced a full merger with the Wendy's hamburger chain. The much anticipated joining of the two companies means increased financial stability, improved operational management, and more resources for customer satisfaction and retention.

Check out the full Arby's franchise profile.

7. Charley's Grilled Subs
Still run by its entrepreneurial founder, Charley's Grilled Subs has sustained steady growth, with more than 20 percent increase in its number of units between 2006 and 2008. Charley's focus on fresh fare grilled in front of the customer and its Philly cheesesteak niche have earned it a dedicated following of repeat customers.

Check out the full Charley's Grilled Subs franchise profile.

8. Port of Subs
In business for more than 30 years, Port of Subs has maintained its store unit count. In 2007, the company launched a rebranding effort to update its stores and emphasize its fresh-sliced meats. Good news for franchisees is that Port of Subs uses its company-owned stores as testing grounds for new products and marketing ideas before rolling them out to franchisees.

Check out the full Port of Subs franchise profile.

9. Quiznos
In business and franchising for nearly 20 years, Quiznos recently lowered prices to attract more customers. For the coming year, the company's focus is threefold: growing sales volume and profits in existing restaurants, growing its number of domestic units, and growing its number of international units.

Check out the full Quiznos franchise profile.

10. Cousins Subs
Cousins Subs is a family-owned company that has been franchising for 30 years. This regional sandwich franchise is well known in Wisconsin, where it has 125 locations, but is also expanding to other parts of the country. In the current economy, Cousins is focusing on cost reduction, but not at the expense of long-term growth; the company plans to add 70 locations by the end of 2010.

Check out the full Cousins Subs franchise profile.