Raleigh - Madison Newberry, a North Carolina resident, joined Subway Restaurants today to lead a �march� of hundreds of young people in Washington, D.C., as the chain announced the launch of F.R.E.S.H. Steps, a multi-layered national campaign to raise awareness and educate the community on the to need prevent and treat childhood obesity.
The Subway F.R.E.S.H. Steps initiative empowers young people and adults to Feel, Responsible, Energized, Satisfied and Happy by seeking healthy food choices from the Subway menu and in their overall lifestyle. Subway also announced its expanded relationship with the American Heart Association as the first-ever sponsor of its Jump Rope for Heart program.
Independent research, commissioned by Subway restaurants, revealed that 80 percent of children ages 5 to 12 know someone who is �very overweight;� however, only 55 percent of the children identify obesity as a dangerous condition. The study confirmed the need to educate consumers and to generate awareness about the dangers of obesity.
�Subway restaurants cares about kids and their well-being, and we want children to lead long and healthy lives,� said Fred DeLuca, president and co-founder of Subway restaurants. �As an industry leader, we feel a responsibility to do our part to encourage healthy habits in children involving increased physical activity and nutritious food choices, essential components to prevent childhood obesity.�
Madison Newberry was part of a group of �weight-loss� heroes from around the country who were invited to the Washington, D.C., event by Subway restaurants to join franchisees, government leaders, health officials and hundreds of young people and adults who care about the issue, including Jared Fogle, the original weight-loss hero.
Jared�s story serves as an inspiration to many people like Madison Newberry and her family, who were motivated to take charge of their own health by making informed food choices and leading active lives. Madison�s success has helped her become one of Jared�s newest friends and have a role in Subway�s newest advertising campaign.
�I used to whine when I rode my bike up a hill,� said Madison Newberry. �Now I feel stronger and can ride my bike easier. It makes me feel healthier and skinnier. I feel great! Awesome! Super! Fantastic! Now people say they are inspired by me.�
Madison Newberry wanted to wear jeans like every other kid in school, but because of her weight, she had to wear stretch pants. That, coupled with a doctor saying Madison�s cholesterol levels were increasing, prompted her family to start eating healthier. She achieved a healthier weight by making better food choices, dining at Subway and becoming more physically active. Now, Madison has six pairs of blue jeans and her cholesterol level is normal.
Madison Newberry achieved a healthier weight by making better food choices, such as Subway�s Savory Turkey Breast and Ham sandwich, and becoming more physically active. Madison�s favorite activities are swimming, speed skating, bike riding and basketball.
�Just to see the look on her face when she tried on jeans in the store and danced in front of the mirror saying, �They fit, they fit!� said it all,� recalls Madison�s mother, Ginger Newberry. �Madison has always been a little shy, but losing the weight has made her feel good about her inner self. This lifestyle change also means that she may never have heart disease or a stroke.�
In an effort to help educate kids about the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle, Subway restaurants, a long-time supporter of the American Heart Association�s Heart Walks, is now the sponsor of the American Heart Association�s Jump Rope for Heart program, a school site childhood physical activity and nutrition program that raises funds for the Association�s research and education efforts.
The Subway F.R.E.S.H Steps multi-layered initiative includes a groundbreaking public awareness television campaign, a F.R.E.S.H. Steps Pledge with healthy lifestyle tips, a school-based curriculum and activity-based toys in Kids� Pak meals that include a fresh deli-style sandwich and 100 percent fruit juice. Full nutritional information for sandwiches is available at restaurants and online, so consumers can choose food that fits their lifestyle. Subway restaurants is committing 20 percent of the national advertising budget - $25 to $35 million this year � to increase national attention to this important issue.
Subway Restaurants� Heritage of Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
The F.R.E.S.H. Steps initiative is the latest effort of Subway restaurants� longstanding wellness platform, including providing nutritious menu options and distributing educational information about eating right and staying fit. The brand will continue its in-school curriculum, �One Body! One Life! Eat Fresh! Get Fit!� which was developed in conjunction with Weekly Reader, the largest and oldest educational magazine for students. The popular �Jared and Friends School Tour,� featuring weight-loss hero Jared Fogle who appears in the franchise�s advertisements, has reached more than 32,000 school children with messages about the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. WNBA star Lisa Leslie joined Jared on recent tours talking about the importance of exercise and sports as a fun way to stay healthy.
In December of 2001, Subway eclipsed McDonald�s as the fast-food franchise with the most locations in the United States, with 13,247 Subways to McDonald�s 13,099.
Subway has been named the best franchise opportunity in all categories by Entrepreneur Magazine in its 2004 Franchise 500, an annual ranking of the top 500 franchise opportunities in the United States. What�s more, Subway has been ranked first a record-breaking 12 times over the last 16 years.
Subway�s success in recent years can be attributed in part to the fact that it is one of the few quick-serve restaurant chains to offer a wide variety of healthy alternatives to typical fast-food fare. This includes a wide selection of fresh vegetables that can be added to any sandwich. In addition, Subway�s famous �7 under 6� low-fat, heart-healthy menu has become a model in the industry of how to provide customers with delicious food that is also nutritious.
And, with the addition of low-carb, Atkins-approved menu items, Subway can now meet the needs of 56 percent of dieting consumers.
Subway holds several outstanding awards including the 2003 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Award in the Quick Serve Food Category, the 2002 �Gold Award� in Restaurants & Institutions �Choice in Chains� for best sandwich and bread, and the 2001 �MenuMasters Award� for �Best Menu/Line Extension� from Nation�s Restaurant News for the Subway Selects gourmet sandwiches.
Subway now has 21,528 locations in 75 countries. The company was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965, and is headquartered in Milford, Connecticut.
For more information or to request an interview with Madison, please call Beth Hotchkiss at (800) 849-2118 ext. 126. For more information on Subway, please visit www.subway.com