Subway today announced that it will launch NFC-based mobile payments nationwide on Oct. 1 with Softcard.

Softcard is a mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless and is formerly known as ISIS.

With the launch, Subway guests can use their smartphones to pay for their meals via the Softcard app. According to a news release, with Subway's more than 26,000 domestic restaurants, the deployment marks one of the largest of mobile payment capability in the country.

The relationship between the two companies began in 2013 and developed into a pilot in the Salt Lake City market earlier this year. This national launch is the extension of a relationship that began in 2013 and included a successful pilot in Salt Lake City earlier this year.

"Softcard has proven to be a valuable partner to us and we are proud to extend our relationship with them," Subway CIO Carman Wenkoff said in the release. "As we've worked together to implement and pilot this technology, we've been impressed with the Softcard team and opportunities available through the Softcard platform. By embracing mobile payments and loyalty with Softcard's SmartTap technology, we're making it easier for customers to enjoy smart choices on the go."

Loyalty up next

The relationship between Smartcard and Subway will continue beyond today's announcement to include the restaurant chain’s loyalty program.

To incentivize customers to use the app, Softcard users who tap and pay at a Subway restaurant will receive $1 back on every purchase over $1 made with the American Express Serve card throughout the end of the year.

Also, in coming months, the Subway Card Rewards Program will be included in the Softcard app. Cardholders who load their rewards card into the Softcard app will be able to tap their phones to the reader using SmartTap for quicker presentation to the point of sale. SmartTap is a Softcard-developed protocol that adds commerce data to an NFC transaction. According to the release, SmartTap leverages industry-standard NFC technology to deliver loyalty and offers to merchant POS systems.

"Subway is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry and has placed itself at the forefront of mobile payments with today's announcement," Softcard CEO Michael Abbott said in the release.

Last week, the chain was also named as an initial partner for Apple’s new mobile wallet, Apple Pay.