Subway History

History

Subway was started in 1965 by a man named Fred DeLuca. Mr. DeLuca was only 20 years old at the time and was looking for a way to raise money for college, he wished to become a medical doctor. With little to no money he went to a scientist that he knew from family association, Dr. Peter Buck, who lent Mr. DeLuca $1,000 for the store. The store opened with a great first day turnout and it was clear from then on that the two, now business partners, had something special going on. The name of the store was “Pete’s Submarines,” but because of miscommunication it was changed to “Pete’s Subway,” which soon changed to just “Subway.” Subway is under the subsidiary of DAI, Doctor's Associates, Inc. named for the doctor and college student that wanted to become a doctor.

The first store opened in a mediocre location in Bridgeport, Conn. But soon it expanded into 16 unites all across the state of Conneticut by 1974. Although this was an accomplishment in itself, the two owners felt that they could of done better in their 8 years of business. They started to do, what seemed at the time only for big corporations and companies, franchising. It is now the world’s largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 25,000 restaurants in 83 countries. Subway's main operations office is located now in Milford, Connecticut, and they have five regional centers to support Subway's growing international operations.

Subway is currently the third largest fast food chain globally after Yum! Brands (34,000 locations) and McDonald's (31,000 locations). Many restaurant analysts attribute Subway's fast growth to the growing concern on health by restaurant customers, a trend that Subway has taken advantage of in its marketing. In fact in 1999, an Indiana University student named Jared Fogle lost 245 pounds