Subway Milford HQ is the third-largest restaurant chain globally and the largest single-brand restaurant operator in the world, with nearly 37,000 locations across 102+ countries and territories. Founded in 1965 on a vision of fresh, customizable, and affordable submarine sandwiches, Subway has revolutionized the quick service restaurant industry and established itself as the premier destination for quick, healthy meal options worldwide.

Corporate Overview

Global Headquarters Structure

Dual Headquarters Model:

Miami, Florida (Global Headquarters)

Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership
Menu development and innovation team
Strategic marketing and brand development
Address: Miami, Florida, USA
Primary operations and strategy

Shelton, Connecticut (Corporate Operations Hub)

Opened: October 2023
Size: 90,000 square feet across 3 floors
Location: 1 Corporate Drive, Enterprise Corporate Park, Shelton, CT
Essential business functions: Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Operations
Modern workplace with premium amenities

Former Headquarters

Milford, Connecticut (1972-2023)

Historic headquarters for over 50 years
Site: 325 Sub Way, Milford, CT
Note: Facility closed July 2025; building demolished

Regional Support Centers

European Operations

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Supports European franchise network

Asia-Pacific

Brisbane, Australia (Australia & New Zealand)
Beirut, Lebanon (Middle East & Asian operations)
Singapore (Asian operations hub)

Latin America

Miami, USA
Supports all Latin American franchise operations

Company History & Heritage

Founding Story (1965)

Founders: Fred DeLuca & Dr. Peter Buck

Initial Concept: A 17-year-old college student (Fred DeLuca) asked his family friend, nuclear physicist Dr. Peter Buck, for advice on paying college tuition. Dr. Buck’s innovative solution: open a submarine sandwich shop.

Investment: $1,000 handshake deal between two visionary entrepreneurs

Opening: August 1965 – “Pete’s Super Submarines” opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut

First Day Success: 312 sandwiches sold at less than $1 each

Growth Timeline

1968: Company rebranded as “Subway”

1972: Signature sandwich introduced – The “Classic BMT” (Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest, originally named after the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit system)

1974: Franchising business model launched

16 company-operated locations in Connecticut
First franchised location in Wallingford, Connecticut
Strategic shift that launched explosive growth

1980s-1990s: Rapid expansion across North America and internationally

2015: Named world’s fastest-growing franchise

2023: Headquarters relocated to modern facilities in Shelton, Connecticut

2024: Over 10,000 future restaurant commitments through master franchise agreements

Global Presence & Scale

Restaurant Count (2024)

Global Total: Nearly 37,000 locations in 102+ countries

Geographic Distribution:

North America: ~23,500+ locations
- United States: ~19,000+ locations
- Canada: 2,881 locations
- Mexico: 758 locations
International: ~13,500+ locations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Oceania

Market Position

3rd Largest Restaurant Chain Globally (after McDonald’s and Starbucks)
Largest Single-Brand Restaurant Chain worldwide
Largest Restaurant Operator by number of locations
61.1% of locations in the United States
Presence in 102+ countries and territories

The Subway Promise

Fresh. Customizable. Quick. Affordable.

From a single Bridgeport storefront in 1965 to nearly 37,000 locations across the globe, Subway has remained true to its founding mission: serving fresh, customizable, and affordable submarine sandwiches that satisfy hunger with quality.

With continuous innovation in digital technology, strategic international expansion, and a commitment to operational excellence, Subway continues to evolve as the world’s leading quick service restaurant chain.

Join millions of customers daily who choose Subway for exceptional quality, unmatched customization, and reliable convenience.