Subway has moved the production of its cookies to Europe - the first time they have been produced out of the US - as it chases European expansion.

The cookies will now be produced at a new 600sq m production facility, which has been added to Aryzta’s bakery in Gerolzhofen in central Germany, and will be distributed by European Independent Purchasing Company (EIPC) to more than 4,500 Subway stores across Europe.

The bakery will produce more than 100 million Subway cookies a year including chocolate chip, raspberry cheesecake, oatmeal raisin and macadamia nut. These are bespoke to the Subway brand.

The new bakery has been opened to meet growing demand for the Subway brand in Europe. A spokesman said: “The cookies were previously made by another supplier in America. To allow for a more efficient supply chain, EIPC has moved production of the cookies to Germany to supply stores in Europe.”

This will reduce food miles, allow for a quicker response rate, and create a more flexible supply chain. Mike Attwood, purchasing director at EIPC, said: “We are delighted to have moved the production of the Subway brand’s famous cookies to Europe for the first time. We’ve been working towards this milestone for many months, as we continue to seek the most innovative and efficient procurement methods for Subway Franchisees across Europe, without comprising the quality or great taste that the brand is known for around the world.

“The new bakery will be a huge asset to our supply chain, with faster response rates and reduced distribution times, enabling us to better serve the Franchisees. We completed a period of rigorous testing at the bakery, and production has now officially started. We hope the bakery will prove a great success and asset to EIPC’s management of the Subway brand’s supply chain in Europe.”