A Northern Ireland businessman who has won the local franchise of an international chain of sandwich shops is planning to create around 400 jobs over the next five years.

Paul Heyes, who was formerly the managing director of Compass Catering, currently runs a management consultancy, Sharp Pencil. He has now secured the franchise for the US sandwich chain Subway, which opened its first outlet on Botanic Avenue in Belfast last week, and also has plans for another 25.

Mr Heyes said that the chain would be sourcing local products from companies like Evron Foods in Portadown, and the Golden Vale subsidiary, DPP in Coleraine.