In an increasingly competitive and resurgent value menu market, Subway, one of the champions of cheapness in the past, has yet to officially announce any deals of their own. However, the New York Post has learned that Subway is planning to bring back their $5 Footlong, much to the chagrin of several franchisees.

According to a memo obtained by the New York Post, Subway is concerned that it's no longer seen as a bargain compared to main rival McDonald's, who recently unveiled their own dollar menu reboot. The footlong deal is meant to help correct that issue, but as the five dollar footlong returns to stores next year, franchisees are protesting.

Over 400 have already signed a petition against the bargain sandwich promotion, which is a two-month limited time offer that will begin in January. Franchise owners are concerned that bringing back such cheap opportunities will shave even more off of their miniscule profit margins.

To attempt to sway them, Subway has been holding regional town hall meetings in attempts to convince franchisees that the five dollar footlong will help increase, not decrease, overall profits for their businesses.

A Subway spokesperson declined to comment on the memo or petition, but told the New York Post that most franchisees support the return of the $5 footlong.