From Tomato Processor to Subway Sauce Innovator

In the heart of California's Central Valley, you can find some of the country's finest tomatoes, which our clients process at peak ripeness to be served at countless restaurants and grocery stores nationwide. One such customer? A little restaurant chain called Subway. Our client was the sole supplier of marinara sauce in the country.

Happy with their marinara sauce, Subway had tasked our client with formulating and supplying all their sauces and dressings. While they may have been masters of all things tomato, they had little experience with other sauces and dressings and came to us first reporting trouble with boiling mayonnaise… enter Food Forward! With our extensive experience and knowledge of food science and technology, Food Forward stepped in to provide guidance and solutions.

Replicating a line of world-famous sauce and dressing formulas was not easy. Subway sandwiches aren't Subway sandwiches without Subway sauces! We knew their loyal, regular repeat customers could taste any minute difference. But, recognising the opportunity for growth and innovation, Food Forward collaborated closely with our client to navigate the complexities of sauce development and production. Through meticulous research and hands-on collaboration (and lots of taste-testing!), Food Forward worked with our client to duplicate the iconic flavours of Subway's dressings. 

But perfectly duplicating all of Subway's formulas wasn't the whole footlong… it was barely the beginning. Next, it was time to scale production to meet the global sandwich giant's needs. Food Forward immersed ourselves in the intricacies of plant design and engineering, process optimisation, and equipment selection. We became the linchpin in creating a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, guiding our client's team through every stage of the transformation. From plant layout to equipment sizing, from recipe scale-ups to quality assurance, our expertise ensured the success of this ambitious venture.

Taking our client from tomato processor to sauce guru was one of Food Forward's favourite achievements, and we're proud that our formulations are being enjoyed by millions across America, from college kids on a tight budget to busy health-conscious professionals. 

Whether facing big demands from an international client or just getting your dream product off the ground, Food Forward is ready to lend a hand with expert guidance and a passion for food innovation. Reach out to us at dave@food4ward.com or send us a DM — we'd love to hear from you.