History of SUBWAY®

The Subway Story

The story of the Subway brand started more than 50 years ago when Dr. Peter Buck, a nuclear physicist, changed the life of a college student with a few simple words, “Let’s open a submarine sandwich shop.”
Pete's Subway
It was Peter Buck that gave college freshman Fred DeLuca the idea to open a submarine sandwich shop to help pay his tuition. Peter provided an initial investment of $1000, and a business relationship was forged that would change the landscape of the fast food industry and the lives of thousands.
The partners opened their first restaurant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where they served fresh, affordable, made to order sandwiches. The popularity of the sandwiches and the brand continued to grow over the decades but one thing remained the same and that was their core values and principles:

   a) Always provide exceptional service to your valued guests;
   b) Provide the highest quality menu items at a price everyone can afford and enjoy; and
   c) Keep operating costs low and ensure you have great systems in place and never stop improving.

These early principles continue to serve as the foundation for Subway restaurants around the world.

SUBWAY History

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.

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A Fresh Future

Today, 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 delicious, made-to-order sandwiches.

subway FAQs
You asked, and we answered! Frequently Asked Questions about everything SUBWAY: the brand, our restaurants, and beyond. 

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