Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck co-founded the Subway sandwich franchise chain. Subway began in 1965 as Pete’s Super Submarines in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after 17-year-old DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from Buck to help pay for college.
The business was initially intended as a practical way for DeLuca to earn tuition money while pursuing medical studies. Buck, a physicist with a doctorate, provided both financing and business advice. DeLuca’s mother, Carmela, also played an important early role in operating the first shop, which is why some historical accounts mention her in connection with the company’s founding.
The original name changed several times: it became Pete’s Subway in 1970 and Subway in 1972. The partners later expanded through franchising, with the first franchise location opening in Wallingford, Connecticut. That model transformed a single sandwich shop into a global chain.
A common mix-up is confusing Subway’s founders with those of other American sub chains, such as Jimmy John’s or Jersey Mike’s. In this question, the canonical franchise-chain answer is Subway.