Known for its freshly made sandwiches and salads to go, Subway is a leading fast food restaurant with stores worldwide. Subway sells a variety of products, including its iconic submarine sandwiches available in a variety of flavors.
Customers may be wondering why Subway is called Subway, where the name came from, and what Subway was originally called. I’ve done some digging, and here’s what I’ve found out about the sandwich franchise!
Why Is Subway Called Subway In 2024?
Subway was named for the submarine sandwiches that it sells. Originally named “Pete’s Super Submarines,” by owner Fred DeLuca (after investor Dr. Peter Buck), the name of the fast-food restaurant was shortened to “Subway” in 1968 and has kept the name ever since. Subway’s slogan is “Eat Fresh” in reference to its freshly made food.
For more information on Subway, including how Subway got its name, the Subway logo, and what’s unique about Subway, just keep reading!
How Did Subway Get Its Name?
Subway’s owners didn’t give the company its current name until 1968.
That said, the restaurant franchise that would become Subway was initially called ‘Pete’s Super Submarines,’ named by the owner Fred DeLuca after Dr. Peter Buck, who gave him $1,000 to open a sandwich shop to help pay for his tuition.
Additionally, the ‘submarines’ within the Subway name were in reference to the type of sandwich Subway is now known for.
The name was later changed to ‘Pete’s Submarines,’ however, following a radio ad, the name was confused with ‘Pizza Marines,’ leading the franchise to another name change, becoming ‘Pete’s Subway’ in 1966.
In 1968, ‘Pete’s Subway’ was shortened to ‘Subway,’ and the name has not changed since. By 1974, there were 16 Subway shops within the state of Connecticut.
What Was Subway Originally Called?
Subway was initially called ‘Pete’s Super Submarines’ after Dr. Peter Buck, who gave owner Fred DeLuca $1,000 to open his sandwich shop in 1965.
One year later, DeLuca and Buck partnered to create what would become Subway.
When Was Subway Opened?
Subway was opened in 1966 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck under the business name Doctor’s Associates Incorporated.
Then, the two opened the first Subway shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with the idea of serving fresh, affordable, and made-to-order sandwiches.
With that, the core principles of Subway are to provide exceptional service to valued guests, provide high-quality menu items at prices everyone can afford, and keep operating costs low.
What Is Subway’s Logo?
The logo of Subway is the company name with two arrows on the ‘S’ and the ‘Y,’ indicating the speed and movement of the sandwich-making process.
Also, the arrows in the Subway logo represent how easy it is to obtain a personalized, fresh sandwich at an affordable price.
Since its inception, the Subway logo has not altered significantly.
Moreover, the current colors of the Subway logo are green, yellow, and white, intending to reflect health and showcase Subway as the alternative to unhealthy fast food.
What Is Subway Named After?
Subway was named after Dr. Peter Buck, who donated $1,000 to owner Fred DeLuca to begin the sandwich shop.
Also, Subway is associated with the New York City underground subway system.
That said, this element was introduced into Subway stores through the interior decoration, showing maps of New York’s city subway system.
What Is Subway’s Slogan?
Subway’s slogan is ‘Eat Fresh,’ intended to represent the fresh ingredients used in its sandwiches and a healthy alternative to other fast-food restaurants.
‘Eat Fresh’ further represents how Subway uses freshly baked bread and ingredients to make sandwiches to suit customers’ exact specifications.
Additionally, Subway workers are known as ‘Subway Sandwich Artists’ due to their ability to create customized fresh sandwiches.
To learn more, you can see our related posts on the first Subway store, why Subway is so expensive, and why Subway is failing.
Conclusion
Subway is named after the types of sandwiches it’s known for making.
It was initially named for the benefactor Dr. Pete Buck who gave owner Fred DeLuca money to begin the company.
Moreover, the Subway slogan is ‘Eat Fresh,’ referencing customers’ ability to buy a healthy sandwich created from fresh ingredients in stores.
Also, Subway has been around since 1966 and now has over 40,000 stores currently in operation.
