Subway (restaurant)
Largest submarine sandwich chain, founded in 1965.
Subway IP LLC, trading as Subway, is an American multinational fast food restaurant franchise that specializes in submarine sandwiches (subs) and wraps. Its international headquarters are in Shelton, Connecticut.
- born
- 1965 (as Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches in Bridgeport, Connecticut)
- field
- Fast food restaurant franchise
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Largest single-brand restaurant chain; submarine sandwiches; rapid global expansion
- headquarters
- Shelton, Connecticut, United States
Lore & Background
Subway was founded in 1965 when Fred DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from his friend Peter Buck to open Pete's Drive-In: Super Submarine Sandwiches in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The following year, they formed Doctor's Associates Inc. to oversee franchise operations, a name reflecting DeLuca's medical school ambitions and Buck's doctorate in physics.
Reader's Guide
Subway's significance lies in its transformation from a small sandwich shop into the world's largest single-brand restaurant chain, surpassing McDonald's in total locations by the end of 2010. Subway's legacy includes pioneering the fast-casual sub sandwich model and maintaining a dominant global presence despite market shifts.
Did You Know?
- Subway was originally named Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches when founded in 1965.
- The holding company Doctor's Associates Inc. was named after Fred DeLuca's goal to pay for medical school and Peter Buck's doctorate in physics.
- In 2024, Subway ended a 20-year partnership with Coca-Cola and signed a 10-year deal with PepsiCo, effective January 1, 2025.
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