from macdonaldisation to subwayisation

Subway now has more restaurants worldwide than McDonald's.

The sandwich chain surpassed the world's largest hamburger chain in terms of number of stores in the U.S. in 2002 and now it has taken the global lead.

Subway had 33,749 restaurants worldwide at the end of last year, according to the company. McDonald's Corp. had 32,737, according a regulatory filing.

Its smaller-format stores cost less to open and operate than other chain restaurants. The company's emphasis on cost-control, marketing and advertising has also helped grow the brand.

Subway, like many restaurant chains, is making a major push in international markets.

McDonald's, however, remains the industry's revenue champion.

McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, Ill., said in a statement it is still growing but it has made a "concerted effort over the past couple of years on getting better rather than getting bigger."

Well, if it is true that Macs is partly responsible for the obesity problem that plagues half the world, then it's about time,isn't it?