SUBWAY HISTORY
Celebrating 50 Years of SUBWAY Restaurants®
Learn the remarkable story of the SUBWAY brand, from the first shop in Bridgeport, CT in 1965 to becoming the world’s largest restaurant chain. Discover how providing our customers with an exceptional experience and a delicious, affordable meal was, and always will be, a vital part of our heritage
Pete's SUBWAY®
The Seventeen-Year-Old Entrepreneur
Back in 1965, Fred DeLuca set out to fulfill his dream of becoming a medical doctor. Searching for a way to help pay for his education, a family friend suggested he open a submarine sandwich shop.
Pete's SUBWAY®
With a loan of $1,000, the friend—Dr. Peter Buck—offered to become Fred’s partner, and a business relationship was forged that would change the landscape of the fast food industry.
The first store was opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in August, 1965. Then, they set a goal of having 32 stores opened in 10 years. Fred soon learned the basics of running a business, as well as the importance of serving a well-made, high quality product, providing excellent customer service, keeping operating costs low and finding great locations. These early lessons continue to serve as the foundation for successful SUBWAY® restaurants around the world.
1974 SUBWAY®, the Franchise
1974
SUBWAY®, the Franchise
By 1974, the duo owned and operated 16 submarine sandwich shops throughout Connecticut. Realizing they would not reach their 32 store goal in time, they began franchising, launching the SUBWAY® brand into a period of remarkable growth which continues to this day.
SUBWAY® brand
A Fresh Future
A Fresh FutureToday, the SUBWAY® brand is the world's largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 44,000 locations around the world. We’ve become the leading choice for people seeking quick, nutritious meals that the whole family can enjoy. From the beginning, Fred has had a clear vision for the future of the SUBWAY® brand. As we continue to grow, we are guided by his passion for delighting customers by serving fresh, delicious, made-to-order sandwiches.
TODAY
PILE ON THE VEGGIES
The SUBWAY® brand teams up with the Partnership for A Healthier America to encourage kids to eat more vegetables. For the second consecutive year, the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) names the SUBWAY® brand “Industry Champion” for its dedication to the Fruits and Veggies More Matters message.
2013
THEY REALLY “LIKE” US!
The SUBWAY® Facebook page reaches 20 million fans in January. At the end of January, the Build Your Own Virtual SUBWAY® Challenge launches globally in 100 countries to inspire young entrepreneurs about owning your own business, with potential career opportunities with the SUBWAY® franchise. The challenge coincides with the release of an educational documentary, “SUBWAY® Restaurants: How a 17-year-old Built the #1 Restaurant Chain in the World through Franchising” by Young & Successful Media.
2012
HEART CHECK APPROVED
Lots of people are talking about SUBWAY®, as the brand receives recognition as the “Most Loved Fast Food Chain in the US” by YouGov’s BrandIndex Buzz Rankings. In June, SUBWAY® restaurants is the first quick service restaurant to receive the American Heart Association’s Heart Check Certification on a number of menu items and meals. SUBWAY® restaurants are now open in 100 countries.
2011
BRAVOCADO
!With more locations than any other restaurant chain worldwide, the 35,000th SUBWAY® restaurant opens, including the 8000th non-traditional SUBWAY® restaurant. The chain receives the first ever “A” in the Eat This, Not That! Restaurant Report Card, as well as top honors from Zagat. Five more Eco Restaurants open, bringing the total up to 14, with other locations incorporating eco elements. Super food avocado is introduced to the menu.
2010
SUBWAY® GOES UNDERCOVER
The brand’s Chief Development Officer goes undercover on the hit TV show, “Undercover Boss.” Customers can now rise and shine with SUBWAY® restaurants, with 25,000 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada introducing the brand’s new national breakfast offerings. Options include a variety of sandwiches and melts, with the choice of egg whites or whole eggs, veggies, toppings, and sauces.
2008
5….5 DOLLAR…5 DOLLAR FOOTLONG!
The SUBWAY® brand introduces its long running $5 Dollar Footlong promotion. The 30,000th SUBWAY® restaurant opens.
2007
GOING GREEN
The first SUBWAY® Eco-Restaurant opens in Kissimmee, Florida to incorporate more environmentally responsible operations and to introduce the chain’s Eat Fresh, Live Green™ initiative. Eco-elements include low-flow faucets, energy efficient equipment, and solar tubes for lighting. The SUBWAY® chain launches its Fresh Fit® and Fresh Fit for Kids™ meals.
2005
WOULD YOU LIKE THAT TOASTED?
Toasted subs are introduced, a welcomed new option by customers looking for a warm, melty sub. A SUBWAY® restaurant opens at the South Carolina regional headquarters of Goodwill Industries. The restaurant is part of a program dedicated to helping people with barriers to employment learn the skills needed to better provide for themselves and their families.
2004
GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL
SUBWAY® restaurants can fit just about anywhere, from airports to zoos. This year, the True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo, NY opened a SUBWAY® restaurant. The franchisee, who is also the pastor of the church, uses the restaurant to teach job and professional skills to underprivileged youth in the community.
1997
7 UNDER 6™
Centered around fresh, better-for-you sandwiches and salads, the brand introduces the 7 under 6™ menu, featuring seven sandwiches with 6 grams of fat or less.v
1996
SUBWAY ON THE WEB
The SUBWAY® website, www.subway.com officially launches. The motion picture, “Happy Gilmore” features numerous scenes at a SUBWAY® restaurant. International expansion booms, with SUBWAY® restaurants arriving in Colombia, Denmark, Guatemala, Kuwait, Martinique, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela.
1995
START YOUR ENGINES
The SUBWAY® chain begins first motorsports sponsorship with an Indy race car. The brand becomes a supporter of the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s National 5-A-Day program. SUBWAY® restaurants open in China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan. The SUBWAY® brand is featured in scenes in the movie “Ace Ventura--When Nature Calls” and on TV in the animated series, “The Simpsons.”
1993
FUEL UP
Looking to fit into spaces anywhere and everywhere, the SUBWAY® chain ventures into “non-traditional” locations such as gas stations, convenience stores, truck stops, and rest areas. The popularity of the chain continues and is featured in more movie scenes- this year in “The Coneheads” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
1992
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?
Students begin to enjoy SUBWAY® lunches in school cafeterias, as the chain participates in its first school lunch program. This year, the first SUBWAY® restaurants open in Japan and Saudi Arabia.
1991
JUST FOR KIDS!
Kids can be excited about the brand’s new Kids’ Pak™, which includes a sandwich, drink, cookie, and a toy. The first SUBWAY® network TV commercial airs. SUBWAY® products are featured in the motion picture “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
1990
5000TH SUBWAY® RESTAURANT!
The SUBWAY® restaurant chain reaches its goal of 5,000 restaurants with an opening in Texas. The first SUBWAY® restaurant opens in Mexico.
1988
2000TH SUBWAY® RESTAURANT
The Cold Cut Combo is introduced and the chain’s 2,000th location opens. Entrepreneur Magazine® lists the chain as the number one franchise opportunity for the first time in their annual Franchise 500 ranking.
1987
GROWING, GROWING, GROWING
Continuing to grow at a rapid rate, 1,000 SUBWAY® restaurants are now open. This year, the chain opens its first locations in the state of Hawaii and in the Bahamas. Aloha!
1986
OH, CANADA!
The neighbors to the north now can enjoy everyone’s favorite submarine sandwich, as the SUBWAY® chain opens its first Canada location in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
1985
WHITE OR WHEAT?
The SUBWAY® restaurant chain celebrates the opening of the 500th unit, and the opening of the first restaurant in Puerto Rico. Steak and Cheese and wheat bread are added to the menu.
1984
EXPANDING OVERSEAS
The chain ventures into the international arena and opens in the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain. Party Platters and the SUBWAY® Club sandwich are introduced.
1983
FRESH OUT OF THE OVEN
SUBWAY® restaurants introduce freshly baked bread at U.S. locations. People begin to notice the remarkable growth of the chain since the first shop opened, with Entrepreneur Magazine® ranking SUBWAY® restaurants “Number One” in the sub sandwich category for the first time.
1982
FULL SPEED AHEAD
In just one year, the SUBWAY® chain opens an astounding 100 restaurants, with the opening of the 300th location.
1981
PICKING UP SPEED
The development of the SUBWAY® chain picks up, with the 200th restaurant opening in Renton, Washington.
1980
NEXT STOP, SUBWAY® RESTAURANTS
The SUBWAY® chain introduces its New York City transit system themed mural as a décor item in a restaurant in Ithaca, New York.
1977
IT'S SNAK TIME
The “Snak” sub sandwich is introduced. The name is later changed to the “6-inch.”
1975
BIGGEST, MEATIEST, TASTIEST
The chain’s flagship sandwich, the classic BMT, is first introduced. It is named for the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit system, but later it is referred to as “Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest,” in advertising campaigns. Also this year, the first SUBWAY® restaurant located outside of Connecticut opens in the state of Massachusetts.
1974
FAST FORWARD TO FRANCHISING
DeLuca and Buck decide that franchising is the best way to kick-start the chain’s growth. The first franchised SUBWAY® restaurant opens in Wallingford, Connecticut.
1968
WELCOME TO SUBWAY®!
The SUBWAY® name is used for the first time.
1966
THE DREAM TEAM
Partners DeLuca and Buck form Doctor’s Associates Inc. The name is derived from Dr. Buck, who holds a Ph.D., and the fact that DeLuca hoped to earn enough money in the sandwich business to pay his college tuition and eventually become a doctor.
1965
THE 17 YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEUR
How did the SUBWAY® chain start? Where did it all begin? A recent high school graduate, 17 year old Fred DeLuca, and family friend Dr. Peter Buck team up to open their first submarine sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Originally called “Pete’s Super Submarines,” they sell 312 sandwiches the first day. The average cost of a sub was between 49 cents and 69 cents.