A Common Thread director Eli Green pays tribute to the ingenuity of Subway “sandwich artists” in a funny new spot out of Austin, Texas agency Proof Advertising. Titled Breakthrough, the ad centers on a three-person Subway crew who take on the challenge of fitting the meat from a foot-long into a flavored wrap. They experience setback’s and puzzle over diagrams of the underlying physics, but eventually succeed in producing four perfect Signature Wraps.

Green, who directs with tongue-in-cheek charm, says the ad is meant to remind viewers of what distinguishes Subway from other fast-food chains: sandwich artists who prepare each order by hand. “They’re heroes who help make Subway great,” he says.

Green’s “heroes” are right out of an action film with one acting as the leader, another as the brains and a third as the loveably gung-ho sidekick. “We looked for talent that worked well as an ensemble and felt like a team with a little bit of quirkiness,” he says. “We’re getting back to the positive feelings people have for Subway and the people who make their sandwiches.”