Subway's New $3 Footlong Wraps Might Be the Deal of the Summer

First, Subway released its now-famous foot-long sub. Then, the chain rolled out the foot-long cookie.

What's next? If you guessed another 12-inch menu item, you're right.

Now, the sandwich chain has introduced the foot-long Dippers, which will be available for just $3 on the Sidekicks menu nationwide.

The menu additions come after several fast-food chains have launched or expanded their own value menus . Here's how the dippers may compare.

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Dippers give you the best bang for your buck

Subway

Those who want to try the Dippers can choose from three varieties: Pepperoni & Cheese, Chicken & Cheese, and Double Cheese.

Each Dipper is served hot with melted cheese, and meat rolled in the chain's lavash-style flatbread. They will also come with one of Subway's 11 sauces, like Honey Mustard, Creamy Sriracha, or Tangy Peppercorn Ranch, so the flavor combinations are endless.

The Sidekicks menu also offers the restaurant's cheapest menu items, including the foot-long cookie, pretzel, and churro, all available for $5 or less.

For reference, a foot-long sandwich at the chain starts at $8.44. Now, with the addition of the Dippers on the Sidekicks menu, customers can grab two items for less than the price of a foot-long sandwich.

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Wendy's, McDonald's, and Starbucks lead the value menu wars

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With the effects of inflation in full swing, more chain restaurants are realizing that customers aren't willing to pay high prices for single menu items and would much rather buy a high-value combination meal.

Earlier this month, Starbucks launched its Pairings Menu, where customers can purchase a breakfast sandwich and coffee for $5. Similarly, McDonald's announced a $5 value meal that will be available later this month, containing a burger, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink.

Shortly after this news, Wendy's introduced a $3 breakfast combo meal, which includes a breakfast sandwich and a side of potatoes.

Consumers want more affordable snacks

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The Dippers were added to the menu because the company took notice of younger customers' leanings toward snacking. Douglas Fry, Subway’s North America president, told CNN that the Dippers were meant to satisfy the demographic's preference for “convenient, hand-held, grab-and-go” food that is also affordable.

Fry also highlighted the popularity of the Sidekicks menu. "Our guests devoured nearly 30 million Sidekicks since their debut in January, and they will find all 33 flavor combinations of Dippers for $3 to be equally irresistible," he said.

“We know that the economic climate has started to shift,” Fry told CNN. Subway offers a “great value proposition of great-tasting food that’s made fresh and is available for a variety of budgets.”

Don't miss: 8 clever ways to save money so you can still afford to eat out

Bottom line

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The addition of Subway's foot-long Dippers will make it easy to grab a fast and convenient snack for just $3, which is $5 cheaper than the base price of a 12-inch sub from the chain. Talk about saving big.

And since fast food chains are now in tight competition for business, we can expect to see the expansion of value menus across the industry. In the meantime, you can learn how to stretch your fast food budget to save the most money at restaurants.

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