Sides are where a $9 sub becomes a $15 lunch. Subway keeps the list short — bagged chips, cookies, a rotating snack range and soup at a shrinking number of stores — but the pricing logic around the meal upgrade is worth understanding before you say yes at the till.
Chips
Stores carry a Frito-Lay selection rather than a Subway-branded one, so flavours vary by region. Common in 2026:
| Bag | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lay's Classic | ~150–160 | Most widely stocked |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | ~150 | Highest sodium of the common bags |
| Cheetos | ~150 | Not vegetarian-safe in all recipes |
| Miss Vickie's kettle | ~200–220 | Highest calorie bag |
| Baked Lay's / SunChips | ~120–140 | The lower-calorie picks |
Typical single-bag price: $1.79–$2.79.
Cookies and sweet sides
Cookies run roughly 200–220 calories each at $1.19–$2.19, with 3-packs and the Footlong Cookie priced better per gram. Churros, pretzels and the rest of the snack range are covered in Sidekicks, the Footlong Cookie and cookies and desserts.
Soup
Soup is now the exception rather than the rule: a minority of US franchises still run it, mostly in colder states and mostly in winter. Where stocked, expect one or two rotating varieties at $3.29–$4.99 for a cup, roughly 100–300 calories depending on whether it is broth- or cream-based. Do not plan a trip around it — check the app menu first.
Does the meal upgrade save money?
The classic combo adds chips and a drink for roughly $3.49–$4.99 on top of the sub. Bought separately those two items are usually $4.50–$6.00, so the upgrade genuinely saves $1–$2 — but only if you wanted both. If you only want the drink, buying it alone is cheaper, and a cookie substituted for chips is often allowed at no extra charge. More on drink sizes and refills in the drinks guide.
The lower-calorie way to add a side
- Apple slices where stocked — around 35 calories.
- Baked chips instead of kettle — saves roughly 80 calories.
- A second sub as a side is not a side. Split a Footlong instead — see Footlong vs 6-inch.
- Water or unsweetened iced tea — the drink is usually the bigger sugar hit than the chips.
Prices, calories and availability are approximate 2026 US figures and vary by franchise and supplier. Confirm in the Subway app.
