The Subway® Story
Where it All Began
In 1965, 17-year-old Fred DeLuca asked his family friend, Dr. Peter Buck, a nuclear physicist, for advice on how to pay his college tuition. Dr. Buck’s idea? Open a submarine sandwich shop. With a $1,000 investment and a handshake, the two formed a business partnership that would ultimately reshape the quick service restaurant industry. That summer, they opened their first restaurant —Pete’s Super Submarines— in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where they served freshly made, affordable and convenient sandwiches to local guests.
Franchising and Growth
By 1974, Fred and Dr. Buck had opened 16 restaurants throughout Connecticut. To accelerate growth, the pair began franchising — a decision that launched the brand into a period of incredible growth and made Subway a household name.
Subway® Today
Subway serves freshly made sandwiches at a great value to millions of guests around the world every day. Restaurants are owned and operated by a network of thousands of dedicated Subway franchisees who are passionate about consistently delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities.
Values and Legacy
From the beginning, Fred and Dr. Buck were guided by three core values that continue to shape the brand today:
- Exceptional Service: Always provide excellent, consistent service to valued guests
- Better-For-You Options: Offer high-quality, flavorful and better-for-you menu options at a great value
- Relentless Innovation: Never stop evolving to improve the Subway brand
RELATED CONTENT
Our Tribute to Fred DeLuca
From his humble beginnings to the creation of a sandwich empire.
WATCH HISTORY
His legacy will continue to live on through the brand he worked so hard to build
WATCH HISTORY
Our Future
At Subway®, good just isn’t good enough. We're constantly innovating — focused on delivering better food at a great value and a better guest experience.
Subway Eras
Take a peek at our company history and see how we've grown to become one of the world's largest restaurant brands.
1965
Pete's Super Submarine
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.
1966
The Dream Team
Partners DeLuca and Buck formalize their partnership with Doctor’s Associates Inc. The name is derived from Dr. Buck, who holds a Ph.D., and the fact that DeLuca had initially hoped to earn enough money in the sandwich business to pay his college tuition and eventually become a doctor.
1968
Welcome to Subway
The name Subway® is used for the first time.
1974
Fast Forward to Franchising
DeLuca and Buck decide that franchising is the best way to kick start the brand’s growth. The first franchised Subway® restaurant opens in Wallingford, Connecticut.
1975
Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest
The brand introduces its flagship sandwich, the classic BMT. Originally named for the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit system, the build is later referred to as “Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest,” filled with Genoa salami, spicy pepperoni, and Black Forest Ham. The first Subway® restaurant located outside of Connecticut also opens in the state of Massachusetts.
1977
It's Snak Time
The “Snak” sub sandwich is introduced. The name is later changed to the “6-inch.”
1981
Picking Up Speed
The development of Subway® restaurants picks up, with the 200th restaurant opening in Renton, Washington.
1982
Full Speed Ahead
In just one year, Subway® opens an astounding 100 restaurants, with the opening of the 300th location.
1984
Fresh Out of The Oven
Subway debuts the iconic freshly baked bread at U.S. locations.
1984
Expanding Overseas
The brand opens its first international location in the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain. Party Platters and the Subway Club® sandwich are also introduced.
1985
Bienvenido a Puerto Rico
Subway® restaurants celebrate the opening of its 500th restaurant and the opening of its first restaurant in Puerto Rico. The Steak and Cheese sub and wheat bread are added to the menu.
1986
Oh, Canada!
Subway® opens its first Canada location in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
1987
Growing, Growing, Growing
Continuing its rapid growth, Subway® reaches a milestone of 1,000 restaurants now open, and the brand opens its first locations in Hawaii and The Bahamas.
1988
2,000th Subway® Restaurant
The Cold Cut Combo® is introduced and the brand’s 2,000<sup>th</sup> location opens.
1990
5,000th Subway® Restaurant!
Subway® reaches its goal of 5,000 restaurants with an opening in Texas. The first Subway® restaurant also opens in Mexico.
1993
Fuel Up
Subway® ventures into “non-traditional” locations, such as gas stations, convenience stores, truck stops, and rest areas, making the brand more ubiquitous.
1995
Start Your Engines
Subway® begins its first motorsports sponsorship with Indy racing. Subway® continues to expand internationally with restaurants now open in China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
1996
Subway on the Web
Subway® shines on screen in Adam Sandler’s movie, “Happy Gilmore.” Subway.com officially launches and restaurants open in Colombia, Denmark, Guatemala, Kuwait, Martinique, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
2005
Would You Like That Toasted?
Toasted subs are introduced for guests looking for a warm, craveable sub.
2008
$5 Footlong
Subway® introduces its long-running $5 Footlong promotion and the catchy jingle that made it famous. The brand reaches 30,000 restaurants.
2010
Rise and Shine
Guests can now rise and shine with Subway® restaurants now offering new national breakfast offerings.
2011
Hello, Avocado
Subway adds avocado to the menu. The 35,000th Subway® restaurant opens.
2012
Subs Across America with Jimmy Fallon
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon pays tribute to our nation’s beloved sandwiches in “Subs Across America,” where Jimmy asked viewers to film themselves catching and throwing Subway® sandwiches. The videos were strung together to show a sandwich passed in a cross-country montage.
2015
Remembering Fred DeLuca
Co-Founder Fred DeLuca passes away at the age of 67.
2017
Fresh Forward
Subway launches its Fresh Forward restaurant design, featuring a new, modernized look and feel, and improved guest experience.
2019
Subway® Welcomes New CEO
Subway® names John Chidsey as CEO, kickstarting the brand’s transformation journey.
2020
A Quick Pick-Me-Up
Subway® launches curbside pickup.
2021
Remembering Dr. Peter Buck
Subway mourns the passing of Dr. Peter Buck, the co-founder and initial investor in Subway, who died on November 18 at the age of 90.
2021
Eat Fresh® Refresh
Subway® kicks off its brand transformation journey with the Eat Fresh® Refresh, the biggest change in Subway® history, improving almost every core menu item, digital and guest experience. By August, the historic refresh results in the strongest restaurant sales since 2013.
2022
Subway®, Delivered
Subway® Delivery launches where guests can order directly from the Subway® website or app, and have their favorite sandwiches, wraps and salads conveniently delivered.
2022
Subway Cares Foundation®
Subway® launches the Subway Cares Foundation, an independent, global non-profit dedicated to supporting organizations fueling the potential of today’s youth through hunger relief, tuition assistance or mentoring and leadership programs.