>When Subway and Quiznos work well, they work well because you, customer X, and employee A, stick with each other the whole way down the line.
To be honest, this hasn't been my case for any Subway or Quiznos I've visited. The ones I've visited has always had a manned section, with one employee responsible for that section (bread, meats, condiments, checkout, etc.)
The difference, I find, is that at Chipotles, they seem to rush you along between sections. I guess, similar to eating a restaurant where they're trying to turn tables over...if you're in that mindset (get in, get out), it works.
At Subway, things are bit slower. The employees work together, relaying the information amongst each other (if possible), or getting that information from the customer. There's more conversation, I find.