Facts and History

Fred DeLuca founded the SUBWAY® chain in Connecticut, USA, in 1965. The company has since grown into a multi-billion pound business, with 32,468 outlets in 91 countries.

The SUBWAY® chain aims to increase the number of outlets it has in the UK and Ireland to over 2,000 stores by 2010.

In 2009, the SUBWAY® chain was ranked the number one franchise opportunity by Entrepreneur Magazine.

In 2008, the SUBWAY® chain was voted the No. 1 sandwich provider in the British Sandwich Association’s (BSA) sandwich industry report.

In most years, about 70% of new SUBWAY® franchises are sold to existing SUBWAY® owners.

The low fat menu is popular with customers all around the world.

History

The story begins in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA during the summer of 1965. Fred DeLuca, an ambitious 17-year-old high school graduate, was looking for a way to make enough money to pay for his university tuition. The solution came at a BBQ during a conversation with a family friend, Dr. Peter Buck. Dr. Buck suggested to Fred that he open a submarine sandwich shop - having seen a sandwich shop in his hometown experience huge success.

With a $1,000 loan from Dr. Buck, the partnership was formed and Pete’s Super Submarines opened in August 1965. The first year was a challenge and a learning experience for the young entrepreneurs. They opened their second location a year later and quickly realised that marketing and visibility were going to be key factors in the success of the business - the third outlet was in a highly visible location and it’s still serving sandwiches today. The name was shortened from Pete’s Super Submarines to SUBWAY® and the familiar bright yellow logo was introduced.

The next step was to formulate a business plan that outlined the SUBWAY® chain’s goals. In an effort to reach those goals, SUBWAY® outlets began franchising, giving others the opportunity to succeed in their own business venture. The first SUBWAY® franchise opened in Connecticut in 1974.

UK and Ireland History

• In 1996, SUBWAY® opened its first store in Brighton
• Fred DeLuca carried out his first media tour of the UK in 2001 when SUBWAY® reached the 50 store mark. At this point he announced the goal of over 2,000 stores by 2010
• In 2002, SUBWAY® opens its 100th store in the UK and Ireland
• At the end of 2003, there were 200 stores in the UK and Ireland
• In July 2003 the SUBWAY® chain became the largest specialist sandwich chain in the UK and Ireland, according to a report by Mintel
• By mid 2004, there were 300 stores
• By the end of 2004, there were 350 stores
• By February 2005, there were 400 stores
• By mid 2005, the SUBWAY® chain hit the 500th store mark with the opening of the store at Bristol International Airport
• The first national TV advertising campaign, ‘Sub of the Day’ was launched in January 2006
• In 2006, the 600th store opened in Huntingdon, home town of the Earl of Sandwich
• In August 2006, the SUBWAY® chain announced that it had more stores open in the UK and Ireland than Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut
• In July 2007, the SUBWAY® chain opened its 1,000th store
• In 2008, the SUBWAY chain announced that it had more stores open in the UK and Ireland than McDonalds
• SUBWAY® supports the Department of Health’s 5 A DAY programme – by choosing all the salad ingredients for your Sub you get one of the five servings of fruit and veg recommended by the Department of Health
• The SUBWAY® chain continues to expand at a phenomenal rate in the UK & Ireland, with an average of five stores opening every week