For the last couple of years, I’ve continually heard rumors that Subway is working on a gluten-free menu, but I’ve yet to ever see anything come of this. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine a way that a restaurant like Subway could offer a gluten-free sub sandwich amidst the racks of different flavored breads that they offer — let alone every utensil in every single condiment is swathed over every piece of bread hundreds of times a day. The next hurdle would be to educate the teenagers working there of the dangers of cross-contamination and the implications it has for people with celiac disease. Even their salads would be suspect as they are all in such close proximity to the rest of their gluten-full ingredients. For many, Subway is a long lost convenience that is no longer available after their diagnosis of celiac disease.

I do see a way forward that would benefit both them and the growing number of celiacs out there clamoring for fast and easy lunch time food. Outsource the gluten-free sandwiches to a reputable dedicated gluten-free bakery and have them shipped pre-packaged and co-branded. While it wouldn’t truly be a Subway sandwich, it would be great PR for a company like Subway to show its dedication to their customers and show that they really do care (whether or not that really is the case). They wouldn’t even need that many options — maybe one or two — a meat option and a vegetarian option. Just something that gives celiacs an opportunity to eat with everyone else.

At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing customers through the door and having them walk way with something purchased. Imagine when your office decides to bring in Subway for that meeting during lunch and you actually have a gluten-free option — you’re going to be thinking pretty highly of Subway. Another incentive for Subway to do this, would be the attention from all the hoards of celebrities that are on a self-imposed gluten-fee diet. For proof of this, just pay attention to all of the hype that the gluten-free diet has been receiving lately in celebrity circles — maybe not the right incentive — but if it sways Subway in the right direction, so be it.

I can actually think of a handful of dedicated gluten-free bakeries that produce gluten-free baguettes and rolls that I honestly like better than what I remember of Subway’s bread. This is all wishful thinking at this point, but it’s something that could work. For now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope that some inspired individual within Subway’s management team sees this and takes action.