Dive Brief:
- Sandwich chain Subway suspended its ties Tuesday with Jared Fogle after police searched his home.
- The search came two months after the head of Fogle's foundation was arrested on child pornography charges.
- Fogle has been Subway's pitchman for more than 15 years.
Subway & Jared Fogle have agreed to suspend their relationship due to the current investigation. Jared is cooperating with authorities.
— SUBWAY® (@SUBWAY) July 7, 2015
Dive Insight:
It's a stunning development for the person who is arguably America's best-known pitchman. Fogle, who lives in Zionsville, Ind., claims to have lost 245 pounds while in college on a diet that featured Subway sandwiches. He's essentially the face of the franchise, appearing in dozens of commercials.
Indiana state police and FBI agents raided his house Tuesday. The FBI confirmed it was conducting an investigation involving Fogle, but declined to specify the nature of that probe. However, the raid came two months after the executive director of Fogle's foundation was arrested on child pornography charges.
It's far too soon to say what the impact will be on Subway's marketing efforts, but given Fogle's undeniable attachment to the brand, it's hard to imagine any good outcome even if Fogle ultimately faces no criminal charges.
