FILE - This Aug. 11, 2009, file photo, shows a chicken breast sandwich and water from subway on a kitchen counter in New York. Subway, the world's largest fast food chain, is facing criticism after an Australian man posted a picture on the company's Facebook page on Jan. 16, 2013, of one of its famous sandwiches next to a tape measure that seems to shows it's not as long as promised. (AP | Seth Wenig)
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NEW YORK — What's in an inch? Apparently, there's enough missing meat, cheese and tomatoes to cause an uproar.

Subway is facing widespread criticism after a man who appears to be from Australia posted a photo on the company's Facebook page of one of its foot-long sandwiches next to a tape measure that shows the sub is just 11 inches.

More than 100,000 people have "liked" or commented on the photo, which had the caption "Subway pls respond." Lookalike pictures popped up elsewhere on Facebook. And the New York Post conducted its own investigation that found that four out of seven foot-long sandwiches that it measured were shy of 12 inches.

Subway also said that the length of its sandwiches may vary slightly when its bread, which is baked at each Subway location, is not made to the chain's exact specifications.

"We are reinforcing our policies and procedures in an effort to ensure our offerings are always consistent no matter which Subway restaurant you visit," read an e-mailed statement. The Associated Press