SUBWAY(R) Restaurants Partners with NBC's "The Biggest Loser" To Continue Extraordinary Weight Loss Journey
Unique Partnership Enables Contestant Shay Sorrells to Receive $1,000 for Every Pound Lost Prior to Season 9 Finale
MILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Having inspired millions of Americans with her incredible determination and drive, Shay Sorrells, a contestant on this season of the hit NBC series, The Biggest Loser, will continue on her incredible weight loss journey, with the help of SUBWAY® restaurants. Shay began her experience as the heaviest contestant in the show's history, weighing 476 pounds. As revealed during last night's season finale, she currently weighs 304 pounds - a 172 pound drop!
To ensure the continuation of her remarkable journey, SUBWAY® restaurants will continue to motivate Shay, offering her $1,000 for every pound she loses between today and the Season 9 finale of The Biggest Loser in May 2010. Shay graciously accepted her new challenge from SUBWAY® restaurants last night during the show's live season finale and is both excited and ready to get to work immediately!
Shay will serve as a spokesperson for SUBWAY® restaurants in 2010, joining Jared Fogle who in 1998 began his own incredible journey with a dramatic 245 pound weight loss, crediting SUBWAY® sandwiches and exercise as key factors in changing his lifestyle.
Key highlights of the new partnership include in-show and online integration throughout Season 9 of The Biggest Loser as well as a mid-season weigh-in and follow up package. In addition to periodic check-ins throughout the show's next season, fans will also be able to follow her progress at SubwayFreshBuzz.com, NBC.com and BiggestLoser.com.
"My time on The Biggest Loser showed me that I have the capability to do whatever I set my mind to," said Shay Sorrells. "For anyone who watched me week in and week out, I promise you that I will continue to do my best, because my struggle with weight is a continuing battle. I thank SUBWAY® for providing me with another platform and incredible opportunity for showing America that my journey is far from over."
To help Sorrells with her efforts, SUBWAY® restaurants are providing her with healthier meal options from the SUBWAY Fresh Fit™ menu which includes eight sandwiches with six grams of fat or less.
"Shay is an inspiration and we are proud of what she has already accomplished on her road to a better life," said Tony Pace, chief marketing officer of the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust (SFAFT). "People are rooting for her, and Shay continues to demonstrate that while weight can be a struggle each and every day, you can meet and exceed your goals with a healthy, active lifestyle. SUBWAY® is happy to be part of her journey."
"This season of The Biggest Loser was all about second chances, and we'd like to thank SUBWAY for extending that theme and giving Shay yet another opportunity to continue her weight-loss journey while encouraging millions of Americans to live a healthier, active lifestyle," said Mark Koops, Managing Director at Reveille, the production company behind The Biggest Loser.
About SUBWAY® Restaurants
With more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries, the SUBWAY® restaurant chain is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise and famous for its made-to-order footlong and 6-inch submarine sandwiches and salads. The SUBWAY® restaurant chain was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck as a means for then 17-year-old DeLuca to earn enough money to pay for college tuition. That partnership, which continues today, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey — one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY® brand has been named as the number one franchise opportunity in Entrepreneur magazine's "Annual Franchise 500®" listing 17 times in the past 23 years, and was also ranked by the magazine as "America's Top Global Franchise" for 2009. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.
About The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser airs on NBC Tuesdays at 8 pm (ET). The first reality series where everybody "loses," The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser." Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.
Beyond the U.S. where more than 100 episodes of the show have aired, The Biggest Loser has become a worldwide hit appearing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. Since its debut in 2004, The Biggest Loser has grown to become a standalone health and lifestyle brand by developing tools and products inspired by the show and approved by its doctors and experts. Anchored by the online, subscription-based extension of the show, Biggestloserclub.com, from Rodale, The Biggest Loser consumer products program has generated over $100 million in spending, with presence at more than 25,000 major retailers to date. The program currently features a wide variety of health and fitness products including The Biggest Loser video game for Wii and Nintendo DS & DSi, The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, which is a full-service, destination health & fitness spa, The Biggest Loser Meal Plan, a New York Times best-selling books series, a best-selling fitness DVD series, a line of appliances, fitness equipment, protein supplements and several other health and lifestyle based products. The Biggest Loser was recognized as a top brand of the year in Advertising Age's 2008 Marketing 50.
###
Social Reach:
Viewer Response:
