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