Sandwich giant Subway, which is based in Milford has opened its 50th store in India. The outlet is located in the city of Calcutta. Gurpreet Gulri, development agent for Subway Team India, said in the past five years the chain has "gradually increased our geographical presence throughout all of the major cities in India, and are now focusing on developing in smaller areas." Subway Team India plans to have 100 units open in India by mid-2007. Subway, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has more than 24,000 franchised locations in 81 countries.

Subway has the biggest share in the world sandwich slice. It is one of the leading fast-food chains in the world and believe it or not, there are more Subway restaurants than there are McDonald outlets in most cities. Moreover, the sandwiches here are both affordable and easy on health.

Subway sandwiches basically come in two sizes of six inches and 12 inches stuffed with vegetables and choice of meat. The five vegetables used in the sandwiches across all restaurants are onions, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and capsicum.

The choice of meat includes turkey, chicken, lamb and tuna. Subway has its own vendors in Delhi and Bangalore who supply bread, meat and vegetables to all its restaurants.

There is a cold storage in the restaurant which can store the bread and other condiments for more than a month. However, the subway people tries to use up the entire stock within that period. If not, irrespective of the wastage, the stuff is disposed of.

So what is the pocket pinch? A vegetarian would have to shell out anything between Rs 50 and Rs 60. For meat lovers, the prices can go up to anything between Rs 90 and Rs 100. Most people are under the impression that the sandwiches at Subway cost a fortune. But you must realise that you are not merely having a sandwich but a complete combo meal in itself with your preferred choice of meat and vegetables. So the pricing has been done keeping in mind the amount of money that is spent on a meal.