Subway adds very surprising item to its menu for the first time - and it's a social media favourite

Subway has added an unexpected item to its menu for the first time as it seeks to expand beyond sandwiches. The fast food chain is introducing jacket potatoes to its sprawling range of subs, snacks, sides and desserts, available for a limited time in 170 stores across the UK.

The trial - named Spudway - will see hot, fluffy jacket potatoes topped with fan favourite fillings added to the menu and meal deal options. Interest in jacket potatoes as a firm favourite food-on-the-go in the UK has piqued in recent months with vendors like Spudman and Spud Brothers winning over thousands of fans on TikTok.

Spudman, AKA 39-year-old Ben Newman from Tamworth, Staffordshire, has been selling £5 spuds from his trailer since he was 18 years old. However, he may now have competition from a snacking giant as Spudway trials its new lunches for the nation. Customers can sink their teeth into the exciting new menu addition from February 19 until April 15, or while stocks last, with potential for a nationwide rollout later this year.

Subway is trialling an unexpected menu addition - as the fast food chain introduces jacket potatoes to its sprawling range of subs, snacks, sides and desserts. The trial - named Spudway - will see hot, fluffy jacket potatoes topped with fan favourite fillings served for a limited time in 170 Subway stores across the UK.

As the debate on the perfect combination of toppings ensues, Subway has stepped in with their own take on the classic dish. Spudway options will include British staples such as Heinz beans and cheese and tuna mayonnaise, alongside fillings already popular in the chain's sandwiches, including chicken tikka, rotisserie style chicken and bacon.

Additionally, customers can try out Subway's new taco beef as a potato filling, featuring minced beef cooked in Mexican taco spices with onions, red peppers, sweetcorn and black beans. What's more, any 'Sub' can be turned into a 'Spud', meaning all jacket potatoes are fully customisable, with customers able to mix and match the wide variety of ingredients available in-store.

Spudway options will include quintessentially British staples such as Cheese & Heinz Beans and Tuna Mayonnaise. Customers can try out Subway's new Taco Beef as a potato filling, featuring minced beef cooked in Mexican taco spices with onions, red peppers, sweetcorn and black beans.

Spudway jacket potatoes will be freshly made in-store daily, and can either be enjoyed on their own or as part of a meal deal, which includes a spud, drink and a packet of crisps or a cookie all at an affordable price. Deniz Safa, director of innovation at Subway, said: 'We’re always looking to bring our fans delicious and customisable options that suit every taste and every budget.

'Made with British potatoes, salted butter and a double portion of cheese, plus any of our many toppings, Spudway is the perfect freshly-made, high-quality lunch choice.'. He added: 'With jacket potatoes surging in popularity – thanks to their comforting, filling nature and great value – now is the ideal time for Subway® to trial this exciting addition to our menu.

'Given the recent buzz on social media and growing consumer demand, we’re eager to see how Spudway is received, and if our guests love it, this could be just the beginning!'. Subway's new trial comes after the sandwich chain introduced self-service kiosks across its UK stores last year.

Customers are be able to place orders via a digital screen which are then sent to the kitchen, rather than making their way along the fresh-food counter as usual. According to The Grocer, the self-service kiosks were rolled out across all UK stores by the end of last year.

The sandwich giant also intended on following in the footsteps of some of its fast-food rivals with the introduction of its own dedicated app. The new app will also enable online orders and offer customers points towards a loyalty scheme which can be converted into 'Subway Cash' to spend on the menu.

Dan Holm, digital leader at Subway, said: 'Digital integration and growth continue to be a key focus of Subway's transformation journey, and, over the past few years, the brand has made impressive strides. 'As we think about Subway's future, we're doubling down on our global digital commitment to streamline and simplify the guest experience from start to finish and improve operational efficiencies for our franchisees.'.