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.
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.
1968
WELCOME TO SUBWAY®!
The SUBWAY® name 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 chain’s growth. The first franchised SUBWAY® restaurant opens in Wallingford, Connecticut.
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.
1977
IT'S SNAK TIME
The “Snak” sub sandwich is introduced. The name is later changed to the “6-inch.”
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.
1981
PICKING UP SPEED
The development of the SUBWAY® chain picks up, with the 200th restaurant opening in Renton, Washington.
1982
FULL SPEED AHEAD
In just one year, the SUBWAY® chain opens an astounding 100 restaurants, with the opening of the 300th location.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
2001
NAMASTE, INDIA!
The first SUBWAY® restaurant opens in India, in Saket, New Delhi.
2003
Expanding in India
SUBWAY® restaurants open in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, India.
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.
2005
Would You like that Toasted?
Toasted subs are introduced, a welcomed new option by customers looking for a warm, melty sub. SUBWAY® restaurants celebrate their 50th restaurant opening in India, in Kolkata.
2007
100 Restaurants in India
India's 100th SUBWAY® restaurant opens in New Friends Colony, New Delhi.
2008
5….5 dollar…5 dollar FOOTLONG!
The SUBWAY® brand introduces its long running $5 Dollar FOOTLONG promotion. The 30,000th SUBWAY® restaurant opens.
2010
Every Day Value
The India market launches a branded affordability campaign with its EVERY DAY VALUE program. Meanwhile, SUBWAY® is ranked third in the first India Franchise Rankings 2010--an awards program to encourage the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of Indian franchisors. SUBWAY® restaurants surpasses the McDonald's restaurants worldwide, with 33,749 open and operating restaurants at the end of 2010.
2011
Local Flavors
Two new, local flavors are to the national menu in India--Tandoori Chicken Sub and Achari Chicken Sub. The SUBWAY® restaurant chain opens its 200th restaurant in the India market, in Ahmadabad. The health equity of the brand is highlighted in a national promotion featuring a range of Low Fat (97% Fat Free) subs.
2012
250 Restaurants in India
SUBWAY® restaurants reaches another milestone with the 250th restaurant opening in India, which opened in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).
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.
2014
Rejoice in the Choice
Four new veggie subs launch in India.
2015
500 Restaurants in India
Two female franchisees open India's 500th restaurant in Mumbai, India, on Women's Day, 8th March 2015. Worldwide, the SUBWAY® brand continues to be a leader in the industry. with more than 41,000 locations in over 100 countries.