Subway — Restaurant in Melbourne

Subject: Disappointing Experience at Subway Forest Hill Chase – Request for Action and Compensation

Dear Subway Customer Service Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration following a very unpleasant experience I had at your Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre location around 12 PM today.

As a loyal customer for over a decade, I have always appreciated Subway’s commitment to quality food and friendly service—but what I experienced today was unfortunately the complete opposite.

The staff member serving me, a man wearing glasses, was extremely rude and dismissive. From the moment I approached the counter, he displayed a cold, unwelcoming attitude, lacking even the basic courtesy of a smile. It genuinely felt as if he was doing his job unwillingly or under pressure, and that negative energy reflected directly in how I was treated.

When I politely stated my toppings, he barely added anything to the sub. For the price I paid, I received just bread with the faintest bit of veggies and barely any sauce—so little that I couldn’t even taste it properly. It was incredibly disheartening.

When I asked for extra tissues, he handed me one more with a very dismissive “that’s it, bye.” The entire experience was frustrating, emotionally upsetting, and frankly unacceptable. I’ve let it slide before, as this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed this staff member acting this way toward me, but today it truly crossed the line.

I am not trying to be rude, but this behavior left me mentally and emotionally hurt. I come to Subway expecting respectful service and a decent meal—not to feel belittled or disrespected by someone representing your brand.

I kindly request that: This issue is looked into seriously, and the behavior of this particular staff member is reviewed. I receive some form of compensation, whether through a voucher, refund, or a complimentary meal, as a goodwill gesture for the subpar experience. Your team reaffirms its commitment to friendly and fair customer service across all locations.

I trust Subway will treat this concern with the seriousness it deserves. I am happy to provide further details if needed, and I sincerely hope this complaint is addressed promptly and professionally.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you...

This got rejected from Indeed but yeah, a warning. Don't work there. In case any future employees are reading this.

I interviewed and was told my application was successful. In the interview prior, I'd been told if my application was successful I'd be a 'trainee' meaning I'd be at a lower wage while I built up my skills. I was also told I'd be sent an online training module, which never happened.

After receiving this news, I had two shifts arranged. I completed the first shift, 2 hours of washing dishes. No problem, except for one small thing. I wasn't paid. Despite being a 'trainee' who should've had the aforementioned wage, and having handed over all my bank details, I received nothing. My second shift was two days later but it was cancelled with very short notice (6pm the night before my shift around 4pm, if I recall right) for no provided reason. At this point, the manager also explain I was still on trial, and may not get the job.

Honest to goodness I don't believe 'trainee' and 'trial' can be conflated. Even over English language barriers, those two words are different things. And from my experience, even trial employees generally are paid. After the second shift was cancelled and he revealed he was still deciding which trainee he would pick for the position, he went radio silent. It has been 3 months and still no word from him. Obviously, I didn't get the role. But still, unprofessional.

I also found it odd that Subways (not just this one) seem to not use the official employee portal to find candidates and instead use Jora Local, then text your phone number they get off that site. It all seems sketchy.

In summary, I showed up, washed a guys dishes for two hours and never received pay or the position despite being told I would be in the interview. Steer clear, there are better...

This Subway location is not just poorly run — it’s deeply racist in how it treats its own employees.

Let me be specific: workers of color are consistently hidden from the front counter, barred from interacting with customers, and relegated to cleaning floors, taking out trash, or other back-end tasks, no matter how skilled or professional they are. Meanwhile, white employees are prioritized for customer-facing roles, even when they’re clearly less experienced or qualified.

It doesn’t take a whistleblower to see what’s happening here — anyone with eyes can observe the disturbing racial hierarchy in action. There is absolutely no justification for a workplace to assign roles based on skin color, but that’s exactly what’s happening at this store.

This isn’t just a "bad look" — it’s discrimination. It's illegal. It’s unethical. And it’s an insult to the dignity of the hardworking staff who deserve better.

Subway claims to care about diversity, yet at this location, they treat their non-white workers like second-class citizens. No representation at the front. No leadership roles. No visibility. Just exploitation and silence.

To Subway corporate: You are responsible for what happens under your name. If this is how your franchises are run, you’re complicit. You need to investigate this location and take immediate action. This kind of racism doesn't belong anywhere — least of all behind a sandwich counter.

To customers: If you care about human decency, think twice before supporting a business that pushes people of color to the back room...