# Subway Cafes Subway Tries Espresso & Paninis By Bianca | Published 2008-07-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-cafes References: [washingtonpost](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/06/AR2008070601579.html?hpid=topnews) [Subway Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/globally-inspired-subs)? Maybe soon! Washington is testing five [Subway Cafe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-italian-sandwiches) concepts with an Italian theme, complete with fancy cappuccinos and Wi-Fi. Looks like Subway didn't want McDonald's to have all the success with the new McCafe. They're going full-blown Italian in their menu choice, offering foods like pastries and paninis in conjunction with the espresso drinks, and for dessert, they're serving up gelato. McDonald's specialty coffees may have hurt [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winter-menu), but will Subway take away customers, or will it just blow by? Maybe they should stick with sandwiches... ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Italian-themed Cafes:** Creating more Italian-themed cafes like Subway’s could disrupt the coffee industry and attract a new audience of customers seeking a wider range of menu options with their drinks. - **Gourmet Coffee Offerings:** Exploring more gourmet coffee offerings and expanding beyond the traditional fast food options could disrupt the coffee industry and create new revenue streams for businesses. - **Tech-enabled Cafes:** Using technology to create a more digitally enhanced cafe experience could disrupt the coffee industry and attract a new audience of customers seeking both quality drinks and convenience. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food Industry:** Integrating more specialty coffee and gourmet options like Subway's Italian-themed cafes could disrupt the fast food industry and attract a new generation of health-conscious customers seeking a wider range of options. - **Coffee Shop Industry:** Creating a more technology-enabled, digitally enhanced cafe experience could disrupt the coffee shop industry and appeal to a new audience of customers seeking convenience and quality products. - **Convenience Store Industry:** Expanding gourmet coffee offerings in convenience stores could disrupt the traditional coffee shop industry and attract time-constrained customers seeking premium products on-the-go. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Globally Inspired Sandwich Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/globally-inspired-subs.md) - [Meaty Italian-Inspired QSR Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-italian-sandwiches.md) - [Customizable Breakfast Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breakfast-sandwiches-and-snackwiches.md) - [Signature Sandwich Lineups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-series.md) - [Gelato-Infused Espresso Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espresso-shake.md) - [Italian Cafe-Inspired Refreshments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/italianinspired-menu.md) - [Smart Fridge Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-fridge-vending-machines.md) - [Curated Sandwich Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-sandwiches.md) - [Sandwich Catering Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-catering-program.md)