Subway IP LLC,[6] trading as Subway, is an American multinational fast food restaurant franchise that specializes in submarine sandwiches (subs) and wraps. It was founded by Fred DeLuca and financed by Peter Buck in 1965 as Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches[7] in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After several name changes, it was renamed Subway in 1972, and a franchise operation began in 1974 with a second restaurant in Wallingford, Connecticut.[8] It was the fastest-growing franchise in the world in 2015[9] and, as of September 2023, has over 37,000 locations in more than 102 countries and territories. More than half its locations (21,796 or 61.1%) are in the United States.[10][11][12] It is the largest single-brand restaurant chain and the largest restaurant operator in the world.[13][14][15][16] Its international headquarters are in Shelton, Connecticut.
History
Foundation and early years
In 1965, Fred DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from his friend Peter Buck to start "Pete's Drive-In: Super Submarine Sandwiches" at 3851 Main Street[17] in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in the following year, they formed Doctor's Associates Inc. to oversee operations of the restaurants as the franchise expanded.[18][19] The holding company derives its name from DeLuca's goal to earn enough from the business to pay tuition for medical school, as well as Buck's having a doctorate in physics.[20] In 1968, the sandwich shop was renamed Subway.[18] In 1976, a franchise operation began with a restaurant in
Corporate affairs
Ownership
As of 2024, Subway was owned by the private equity group Roark Capital.[49] Prior to that, Subway had been owned by its founding families for six decades. In 2019, John Chidsey joined Subway as the first chief executive officer outside of the DeLuca family.[50]
Structure
As of 2017, the Subway Group of companies was organized as follows:
- Subway IP Inc. is the owner of the intellectual property for the restaurant system.
- Franchise World Headquarters, LLC leads franchising operations. FWH Technologies, LLC owns and licenses Subway's point of sale software.
- Franchisors include Doctor's Associates Inc. in the U.S.; Subway International B.V.; Subway Franchise Systems of Canada, Ltd.; etc.
Locations
As of February 2023, Subway had approximately 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries, all independently owned and operated by a network of franchisees.[63] Subway has the highest concentration of locations in North America with more than 20,000 in the United States, 2,881 in Canada, and 758 in Mexico, as of 2019.[64][63] This was almost as many U.S. locations as McDonald's and Starbucks combined, as of 2018.[19] Outside North America, the countries with the most locations are Australia (1,215), Brazil (1,643), and the United Kingdom (2,195), as of 2019.[64]
Products
Overview
Subway's core product is the submarine sandwich (or "sub"). It also sells wraps, salad, paninis, and baked goods (including cookies, doughnuts, and muffins). Subway also sells breakfast sandwiches, English muffins, and flatbread. In 2006, "personal pizzas" debuted in some US markets. These are made to order (like the subs) and heated for 85 seconds. Breakfast and pizza items are only available in select locations. In November 2009, Subway signed a deal to serve exclusively Seattle's Best Coffee coffee as part of its breakfast menu in the US.[65]
Subway's best-selling sandwich,[66] the B.M.T. (short for "Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest"), contains pepperoni, salami and ham. It was introduced as a reference to
Marketing
Subway is the second-biggest fast food advertiser in the United States, behind only McDonald's. It spent US$516,000,000 on measurable advertising in 2011.[80]
Subway used the advertising slogan "Eat Fresh" and focused on how its sandwiches were made from freshly baked bread and fresh ingredients, in front of customers to their exact specifications, by employees which Subway called "Subway Sandwich Artists".[81]
In 2005, Subway scrapped its "Sub Club" stamp promotion, citing a growing number of counterfeit stamps due to online auction sites and the increasing availability of high-quality printers.[82][83]
In November 2007, Subway's US commercials featured the cartoon character Peter Griffin (from FOX's Family Guy) promoting its new Subway Feast sandwich.[84]
Sponsorships
Subway has sponsored a number of sports events, particularly NASCAR races, including the Subway 300 (2001), Subway 400 (2002–2004), Subway 500 (2003–2007), Subway Fresh 500 (2005–2013) and the Subway Firecracker 250 (2009–2016). Subway sponsored the Subway Super Series ice hockey tournament from 2009 to 2014. In September 2022, Subway secured a three-year partnership deal with Football Australia for the naming rights of the men's national football teams as the Subway Socceroos, Subway Olyroos, Subway Young Socceroos, and Subway Joeys. The deal also includes Subway becoming the official partner of the Matildas and the Australia Cup.[114]
Animal welfare
In December 2015, Subway committed to eliminating battery cage eggs from its North American supply chain by the end of 2025.[115] In January 2022, it was criticized by the animal welfare organization the Open Wing Alliance for failing to report progress on its cage-free transition.[116] In August 2025, a representative of The Humane League stated that Subway leadership refused to engage with the organization about its cage-free commitment.[117] A month later, Subway announced that it would eliminate caged eggs from its U.S. locations by November 2025 and its Canadian locations by the end of the year.[118]
In 2017, Subway faced a nationwide campaign against its use of fast-growing broiler chickens led by high school activist Lia Hyman in coordination with The Humane League.[119] On April 20, 2017, Hyman and a group of activists delivered more than 53,000 signatures from campaign supporters at a demonstration outside Subway's headquarters in Connecticut.
Controversies
Hepatitis A contamination
In September 1999, at least 32 customers in Seattle contracted hepatitis A after eating food contaminated with the virus at two Subway outlets.[124] The virus is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with infected feces.[125] Subsequent investigations found that staff failed to adhere to thorough hand washing and the use of plastic gloves during food preparation.[126] A class-action lawsuit on behalf of 31 victims was resolved for $1.6 million.[127][128] The most seriously affected victim—a 6-year-old boy—suffered acute liver failure and required a liver transplant
See also
External links
References
- Obituary: Carmela DeLuca, 89, Co-Founder of Subway, Mother of Fred DeLuca. Orange Live, August 30, 2012, retrieved June 17, 2021^
- Contact Customer Service SUBWAY, retrieved 2023-08-07^
- Dee-Ann Durbin. Subway hires former Burger King executive as its new CEO