Subway has abruptly ended its $6.99 meal earlier than expected after the company told its franchisees that the deal “does not deliver the expected results.”

The fast-food chain’s corporate headquarters sent a memo to Subway operators saying the 6-inch Meal Deal will expire on Wednesday, despite being set to end on December 26, Restaurant Business Magazine reported.

The deal, launched on November 3 to celebrate National Sandwich Day, gave customers the choice of a six-inch sub, a small fountain drink, a bag of chips or two regular cookies.

However, the company alluded that the agreement did not generate enough traffic to sustain the deal for another month.

“The Meal Deal is designed to increase attendance, revenue and ultimately profitability at the restaurant level, and achieved these objectives during the market test,” according to a memo viewed by Restaurant Business Magazine.

“While the national Meal Deal promotion is delivering the expected number of daily redemptions, the promotion is generally not delivering the expected results.”

The company said it would move to a digital offer of 20% off any order through the app until January 5.

Fast food chains are offering promotions and meal deals, such as McDonald’s popular $5 Meal Deal, to entice inflation-battered customers.

The Golden Arches recently announced it would extend the value meal through the first half of 2025 and add a new “buy one, add one” option to the menu.

However, according to Restaurant Business, the sub-store chain has experienced significant pushback from franchisees regarding value perceptions, with some locations not participating in value deals.

Additionally, approximately 7,000 U.S. locations have closed since 2015 due to declining sales and low unit volumes, the outlet reported.

Still, Subway’s U.S. sales rose 2% last year compared to 2022, according to market research firm Technomic.

News that Subway would abruptly end the planned promotion came just days before CEO John Chidsey announced he would step down at the end of the year.

Chidsey, 62, took over the largest sub chain in 2019 and was Subway’s first CEO to come from an external brand.

During his tenure, he drove promotions and deals and last year helped sell Subway to private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal worth more than $9 billion.

Chidsey is expected to stay on as a consultant at Subway to help with its international expansion.

Carrie Walsh, Subway’s president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the company’s former chief marketing officer, will serve as interim CEO while the company conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

Subway said it has franchisee commitments to build 10,000 new restaurants, including many locations abroad.

Founded in 1965, Subway has grown into a top global restaurant chain with 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries, according to the restaurant’s website.

Subway restaurants are owned and operated by a franchise network that includes more than 20,000 dedicated entrepreneurs and small business owners.