Where did Subway open its first franchised restaurant in 1974?

Subway opened its first franchised restaurant in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1974.

The restaurant was operated by Peter Buck and Fred DeLuca’s growing sandwich business. Their first shop, opened in Bridgeport in 1965, was company-operated rather than franchised. Franchising allowed the brand to expand beyond its original Connecticut base.

Subway’s early model emphasized relatively low start-up costs and made-to-order submarine sandwiches. That approach helped it become one of the world’s largest restaurant chains by location count.

A common mix-up is confusing Wallingford with Bridgeport. Bridgeport was the site of the original shop, while Wallingford became the location of the first franchise outlet. Subway later expanded internationally and became especially known for its independently operated stores.