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Create ResumeIf you’re applying for a Subway Sandwich Artist job in the U.S., the most valuable certifications are food safety and food handling credentials. In many states, a Food Handler Card or local food handler permit is required before you can legally work with food. Beyond legal requirements, certifications like ServSafe Food Handler and allergen awareness training help your resume stand out because they reduce onboarding risk for franchise owners and hiring managers.
For entry-level applicants with little or no experience, certifications can significantly improve interview chances. Hiring managers often view certified candidates as more reliable, easier to train, and safer to place on shifts quickly. For experienced food service workers, advanced certifications can support promotions into shift lead or management-track roles.
The strongest Subway Sandwich Artist resumes show a mix of:
Food safety knowledge
Customer service training
Cash handling experience
Workplace safety awareness
Fast-paced service capability
This guide explains which certifications matter most, which are required vs recommended, and exactly how to list them on a resume for maximum hiring impact.
The answer depends on state and local health department regulations.
Many Subway franchise locations require at least one of the following before working:
Food Handler Card
State food handler permit
Local county food safety certification
Employer-provided food safety training
Some locations allow new hires to complete training after hiring, while others require proof before starting.
| Certification | Common Purpose | Often Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Food Handler Card | Basic legal food safety compliance | Yes |
| Local Food Handler Permit | County or state regulation | Yes |
| Safe Food Handling Training | Restaurant safety compliance | Often |
| Handwashing and Glove Use Training | Health code compliance | Often |
| Temperature Control Training | Foodborne illness prevention | Often |
| Cleaning and Sanitation Training | Kitchen safety standards | Often |
Hiring managers care less about the exact provider and more about whether the certification is:
Valid
Recognized locally
Current and unexpired
Relevant to restaurant operations
The best certifications depend on your experience level and career path.
If you have little or no experience, prioritize certifications that prove basic food safety readiness.
Best options:
Food Handler Card
ServSafe Food Handler
Basic Food Safety Training
Safe Food Handling Training
Handwashing and Glove Use Training
Customer Service Training
These help compensate for limited work history because they show initiative and reduce employer training concerns.
If you already have restaurant or fast-food experience, certifications should reinforce operational reliability and customer interaction skills.
Best options:
ServSafe Food Handler
Allergen Awareness Training
Cross-Contamination Prevention Training
Cleaning and Sanitation Training
Temperature Control Training
Conflict Resolution Training
POS or Cash Handling Training
Experienced candidates are usually evaluated on speed, consistency, and operational safety. These certifications support those expectations directly.
If you want promotion opportunities, advanced certifications matter more.
Best options:
ServSafe Manager
Workplace Safety Training
Leadership Training
Cash Handling Training
Emergency Procedures Training
First Aid/CPR
Franchise operators often prefer candidates who can eventually supervise shifts, train staff, or manage compliance standards.
Not all certifications carry equal weight.
The following certifications are the most respected and widely recognized in U.S. food service hiring.
This is the most important entry-level certification for Subway roles.
It typically covers:
Foodborne illness prevention
Safe food storage
Handwashing procedures
Cross-contamination prevention
Basic sanitation
For entry-level candidates, this certification alone can improve resume competitiveness significantly.
This is one of the most recognized restaurant industry certifications in the United States.
Hiring managers trust it because it aligns closely with restaurant compliance standards and food safety expectations.
It is especially valuable for:
National chain restaurants
Airport locations
Hospital food service
College campus dining
Corporate-managed franchises
This certification is more advanced and usually associated with supervisory responsibilities.
It helps candidates pursuing:
Shift lead roles
Team trainer positions
Assistant manager opportunities
Restaurant management track roles
Many franchise owners view this certification as evidence of long-term potential.
Food allergies are a major liability concern in food service.
This training helps demonstrate:
Customer safety awareness
Ingredient handling knowledge
Cross-contact prevention understanding
Compliance readiness
This is especially valuable in high-volume or institutional food environments.
Many applicants misunderstand what “training” means on a resume.
Hiring managers only care about training that improves job performance or lowers operational risk.
Strong examples include:
Food Safety Training
Safe Food Handling Training
POS System Training
Cash Register Training
Cleaning and Sanitation Training
Customer Service Training
Rush Service Training
Conflict Resolution Training
Workplace Safety Training
These are valuable because they directly affect:
Speed of onboarding
Shift reliability
Customer experience
Health inspection readiness
Operational consistency
Weak examples:
Generic online motivation courses
Unverified certificates
Unrelated workplace seminars
Old expired certifications without relevance
Hiring managers scan resumes quickly. Low-quality or irrelevant training can dilute the impact of stronger qualifications.
Most candidates assume certifications are simply “bonus points.” That is not how restaurant hiring actually works.
In food service, certifications often reduce perceived hiring risk.
When a candidate has food safety training, hiring managers often assume:
Faster onboarding
Better compliance awareness
Lower chance of food safety violations
Better customer handling
Less supervision required
More professionalism
For entry-level candidates, certifications can partially offset:
Limited work experience
Employment gaps
Lack of restaurant background
Hiring managers trust certifications more when they are:
Recent
Industry-recognized
State-approved
Relevant to restaurant work
Clearly listed on the resume
A random certificate from an unknown website carries far less value than a recognized food safety credential.
Placement matters.
Many candidates bury certifications at the bottom of the resume where recruiters never notice them.
For entry-level candidates:
Place certifications near the top of the resume
Add them below the summary section
Use them to strengthen ATS relevance early
For experienced candidates:
Certifications
ServSafe Food Handler Certification
Food Handler Card, State of Texas
Allergen Awareness Training
Safe Food Handling Certification
Customer Service Training
Example
“Certified in food stuff and safety.”
Why it fails:
Vague
Unprofessional
No recognized credential
No specificity
Example
“ServSafe Food Handler Certified | Valid through 2028”
Why it works:
Specific
Recognized
Professional
Current
Applicant Tracking Systems scan resumes for keywords tied to job requirements.
Subway franchise operators and restaurant recruiters commonly search for terms like:
Food Handler Card
ServSafe
Food safety
Sanitation
Cash handling
Customer service
POS system
Safe food handling
Cross-contamination prevention
Candidates who naturally include these terms often perform better in ATS filtering.
Do not keyword stuff.
Instead:
Match the terminology used in the job posting
Use official certification names
Include relevant operational skills nearby
Keep formatting clean and readable
ATS systems favor clarity over excessive formatting.
Different Subway locations prioritize different skills.
These locations often prioritize:
Food safety compliance
Speed under pressure
Customer conflict handling
POS accuracy
Best certifications:
ServSafe Food Handler
Customer Service Training
Cash Handling Training
Workplace Safety Training
Healthcare environments usually have stricter food safety expectations.
Best certifications:
ServSafe Food Handler
Allergen Awareness Training
Cleaning and Sanitation Training
Cross-Contamination Prevention Training
These locations often prioritize:
High-volume service
Rush efficiency
Customer interaction skills
Best certifications:
Food Handler Card
Customer Service Training
Conflict Resolution Training
POS Training
Small mistakes can weaken an otherwise strong application.
Expired food safety credentials create concerns about compliance awareness.
Always:
Renew expired certifications
Remove outdated credentials if no longer valid
Include expiration dates when relevant
A Subway hiring manager does not care about unrelated certificates unless they directly improve workplace performance.
Avoid cluttering your resume with:
Unrelated office software certificates
Generic motivational programs
Irrelevant online courses
Many applicants shorten certification titles too much.
Weak:
Better:
Specificity improves both ATS matching and recruiter trust.
Yes, especially in fast food and entry-level food service.
A candidate with:
No experience
Good availability
Food safety certification
Strong customer service attitude
will often outperform an applicant with no certifications and no preparation.
Restaurant hiring is heavily operational.
Managers need employees who:
Can start quickly
Understand safety basics
Follow procedures consistently
Minimize compliance risk
Certifications help prove those traits before the first interview.
The smartest approach depends on your goal.
Focus on:
Food Handler Card
Basic food safety training
Customer service training
Add:
ServSafe Food Handler
Allergen awareness
Cross-contamination prevention training
Invest in:
ServSafe Manager
Leadership training
Workplace safety training
Cash handling certification
The best resumes show progression, not just random certificates.
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