Subway plans to open an additional 2,500 outlets and create 25,000 more jobs by the end of 2012. In 2011 the sandwich chain opened more than 2,400 restaurants worldwide, including 1,100 new locations in the United States and Canada, and created approximately 24,000 new foodservice jobs.

“Although we have become the world’s largest restaurant chain this past year, it’s more about the opportunities than the numbers,” Don Fertman, chief development officer, said in a press release. “With each new Subway restaurant that opens, there is an entrepreneur that wants to own and operate his own small business and provide great food, exceptional customer service and job opportunities in his or her community.”

One of the ways the Subway brand has sustained growth in a turbulent economy has been by opening stores in nontraditional locations, such as inside convenience stores, factories, department stores, train stations, museums, hotel lobbies and movie theaters.