Subway

Subway is the world's largest single-brand restaurant chain by number of locations, operating over 37,000 franchised quick-service restaurants across more than 100 countries and territories. Founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck in Bridgeport, Connecticut as Pete's Super Submarine Sandwiches, the company built its global footprint as a franchise system specializing in made-to-order submarine sandwiches, wraps, and salads. In 2024, Subway was acquired by private equity firm Roark Capital in a $9.55 billion deal — one of the largest restaurant acquisitions in US history — after over five decades of family ownership. Subway is headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut and serves customers in over 100 countries, with more than half its locations in the United States.