The Subway® Story
Where it All Began
The partners opened their first restaurant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in August of 1965, where they served freshly-made, customizable and affordable sandwiches to local guests.
Creating a Strong System
By 1974, Fred and Dr. Buck owned and operated 16 submarine sandwich shops throughout Connecticut. But, to take the brand even further and reach their 32-restaurant goal in time, the pair decided to begin franchising — a business model that launched the Subway® brand into a period of incredible growth and popularity.
The Subway® Story
Where it All Began
The partners opened their first restaurant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in August of 1965, where they served freshly-made, customizable and affordable sandwiches to local guests.
Our Future
At Subway®, good just isn’t good enough. We are constantly innovating, focused on better food and a better guest experience — from menu refreshes to an even better in-restaurant and online experience.
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 in the first day. The average cost of a sub was between 49 cents and 69 cents.
The Dream Team
Partners DeLuca and Buck formalise 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.
Welcome to Subway®
The Subway® name is used for the first time.
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.
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.
It’s Snak Time
The “Snak” sub sandwich is introduced. The name is later changed to the “6-inch”.
Picking Up Speed
The development of Subway® restaurants picks up, with the 200th restaurant opening in Renton, Washington.
A Toda Velocidad
En solo un año, Subway® abre una sorprendente cantidad de 100 restaurantes, y se abre la sucursal número 300.
Fresh Out of the Oven
Subway® restaurants introduce freshly baked bread at US locations.
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.
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.
¡Ay, Canadá!
Subway® abre su primera sucursal en Canadá, en San Juan de Terranova.
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.
Restaurante Subway® número 2000
Se presenta el Cold Cut Combo® y se abre la sucursal número 2000 de la marca.
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.
Fuel Up
Subway® se atreve a realizar actividades comerciales en lugares “no tradicionales”, como estaciones de servicio, almacenes, paradas de camiones y áreas de descanso, lo cual potencia aún más el crecimiento de la marca.
Enciendan sus Motores
Subway® comienza su primer patrocinio de deportes de motor con Indy Racing. Subway® continúa expandiéndose a nivel internacional con la apertura de restaurantes en China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egipto, El Salvador, Honduras, Irlanda, Jamaica, Nueva Zelanda, España, Suiza y Taiwán.
Subway® on the Web
Subway.com officially launches and restaurants open in Colombia, Denmark, Guatemala, Kuwait, Martinique, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Subway® launches in Finland
Finland's first Subway® restaurant was opened on 7.7.2000 on Annankatu in Helsinki.
Would You like That Toasted?
Toasted subs are introduced for guests looking for a warm, craveable sub.
Subway® expands in Finland
By 2010, Subway® had expanded to more than 80 stores in Finland.
35,000th Subway® Restaurant!
The 35,000th Subway® restaurant opens.
Finland’s 100th Restaurant!
Finland's 100th Subway® store opened 1.11.2012 to Kuopio shopping centre Matkus.
Finland's first Subway® campus restaurant
Subway® opened Finland's first campus restaurant in Otaniemi at the end of April.
Fresh Forward
Subway® launches its Fresh Forward design, featuring a new, modernised look and feel, and improved guest experience. Finland's first Fresh Forward restaurant was opened in Vaasa's Vaasanpuistikko at the beginning of December.
Vegan Sub
Finns were the first in Europe to enjoy Subway's new vegan bread. Subway® launched a new, completely vegan Vegan Delite bread in mid-January to meet the consumers’ wishes.
Subway® Welcomes New CEO
Subway® names John Chidsey as CEO, kickstarting the brand’s transformation journey.
Un Estímulo Rápido
Subway® lanza el servicio de recogida en la acera, disponible en más de 12.000 sucursales.
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.
Dr. Peter Buck Dies
Subway® mourns the passing of Dr. Peter Buck, the co-founder and initial investor in Subway, who died on 18th November at the age of 90.
100th Subway® restaurant in Finland offers home delivery
100th Subway® restaurant in Finland offers home delivery via Wolt
New App and Loyalty Program launches
Subway® launches new app with remote order and a renewed loyalty program.
Retribuir Mediante una Fundación Comprometida
Subway® lanza Subway Cares Foundation, una organización sin fines de lucro global e independiente cuyo objetivo es apoyar a las organizaciones que avivan el potencial de la juventud actual a través de la ayuda contra el hambre, la asistencia para las matrículas o los programas de tutoría y liderazgo.