I noticed this as well!
The place I go to is hit and miss with classic Italian. Chicken subs have always been exceptional but sometimes, they do not do a good job of slicing the cold cuts for the classic and you get uneven cuts.
But for sure, some locations have amazing Quiznos. I hear you on the memory thing. For me, its as much nostalgic as it is tasty. I have to do like a strict raw vegetarian food fasting for few days to really get my appetite up and clean my system + not feel guilty for overindulging because that is what I am going to do damn well do.
Quiznos nostalgia is special for me because in the 2000s, I just had a flip phone and as I would eat, I would plan and plot my future of what I want to do in life in terms of running a business and so it was brain storming the future. Now I do have a budding business and occasional Quiznos lets me think about diversifying it. Its more than just food, its an experience.
I am relieved to read " I had a friend" meaning past tense, meaning that you no longer have to suffer his insidious existence. But in all seriousness, if you had to guess, was it the food or bad customers?