What was Subway originally called when it opened in 1965?

Subway was originally called Pete’s Super Submarines when it opened in 1965.

The first shop was established in Bridgeport, Connecticut, by Fred DeLuca with financial help from family friend Peter Buck. DeLuca wanted to raise money for medical school, while Buck provided the initial investment and encouraged the sandwich-shop idea. The name honored Buck’s nickname, Pete, and described the submarine-style sandwiches being sold.

The business later became Pete’s Subway and then Subway. Its early growth came through franchising, allowing the company to expand far beyond its original Connecticut location. The submarine sandwich format is also why Subway’s early branding and many international descriptions emphasize long rolls and made-to-order fillings.

The name is sometimes confused with “Subway Sandwiches,” but the historical original name was specifically Pete’s Super Submarines. The first store’s 1965 opening predates the chain’s modern global identity by several decades.