TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States sandwich chain Subway announced the opening of its first outlet in Indonesia soon via its Instagram account @subway.indonesia on Monday night, August 23.

It even confirmed that the information was neither joke nor a prank. "Yes, this isn't another prank. Yes, the news is out. Yes, we're really coming here. So…” reads the caption of the video post uploaded on Monday night, August 23.

Subway has signed a deal with PT Sari Sandwich Indonesia, a subsidiary of food & beverage retailer, PT Map Boga Adiperkasa Tbk (MBA), whose parent company is PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP).

It is committed to open restaurants in Indonesia by the fourth quarter of 2021 with an initial one in Jakarta Greater Area or Jabodetabek.

“The demand for Subway restaurants is unprecedented in many markets around the world, including Indonesia,” said Chief Executive Officer of Subway John Chidsey in an official statement.

At the end of last year, hashtag #Subway became the trending topic following the announcement of its opening in Indonesia made by @subway_Indonesia. It was later found out that the account was fake and had been deleted.

Subway had previously landed in Indonesia in the 1990s. However, the American sandwich restaurant closed in 2000.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | BISNIS