Here's the real reason why Subway sandwiches are everywhere in Netflix's latest hit 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'
- Netflix's "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" features an unexpected star - the sandwich chain Subway.
- The prominence of the chain in the film raised some eyebrows on social media.
- Subway confirmed to Business Insider that it partnered with the production companies behind "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," and that a local franchisee provided packaging and sandwiches.
- "We regularly partner with production companies ... to place Subway in a range of films, especially ones we anticipate being popular," a Subway representative told Business Insider.
While the blossoming romance between Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky left fans of Netflix's "To All the Boys I've Love Before" swooning, another love story left some viewers scratching their heads.
The plotline in question: Lara Jean's best friend, Chris, and her undying obsession with Subway sandwiches.
Chris is established as Lara Jean's rebellious (and only) friend on the pair's first day of 11th grade. Once lunchtime rolls around, however, Chris's secondary character trait comes into play: she really loves Subway.
In fact, Chris loves Subway so much she ditches Lara Jean to skip school and get sandwiches for lunch. Chris's dedication is so great that she even uses Subway-branded emoji.
When Chris and Lara Jean finally do have lunch together later in the film, it is only because Chris has brought back Subway for the pair to eat under the bleachers.
To feature a character with such an all-consuming love for Subway in "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" raised some eyebrows on social media.
In an effort to see exactly how Subway sandwiches ended up in the rom-com, Business Insider reached out to the sandwich chain.
"We regularly partner with production companies ... to place Subway in a range of films, especially ones we anticipate being popular," a Subway representative told Business Insider via email.
Subway's history of inserting itself into TV shows and movies is well-documented. Over the last decade, Subway has made appearances on shows including "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville," and "Community." In 2013, Variety reported that Subway distinguishes itself not only by having sandwiches featured, but also by pushing for products to be giving the equivalent of a "speaking role," with storylines specifically mentioning the brand.
In the case of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," Subway gave the film's production companies permission to use the brand, with a local franchisee providing product and packaging. While the representative did not disclose details of the partnership, Subway certainly has the equivalent of a "speaking role," with almost a third of Chris's screen time involving the chain.
The collaboration seems to be working. A number of people - including Business Insider's Carrie Wittmer - are reporting on social media that "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" left them with a surprising craving for a Subway sandwich.