Subway Co-Founder Fred DeLuca Dies at 67 The sandwich entrepreneur opened his first location at just 17.

By Kate Taylor

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Reuters | Stefan Wermuth

The man behind the Subway brand died just weeks after celebrating the company's 50th anniversary.

Subway founder and CEO Fred DeLuca died on Monday evening at the age of 67, the company confirmed on Tuesday. DeLuca founded the sandwich chain with his business partner, Dr. Peter Buck, in 1965 when he was only 17 years old.

Related: Burning Man Considers Legal Action Against Quiznos After Parody Ad

Under DeLuca's leadership, Subway began franchising in 1974 to grow into a chain with more than 44,000 locations worldwide. DeLuca was a major advocate for franchising throughout his life, telling Entrepreneur in 2005, "The franchisees are uniquely in touch at the local level. They see what's going on in their communities in a way we couldn't ever imagine."

DeLuca was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013. He continued to serve as CEO while receiving treatments, but named his sister Suzanne Greco president overseeing day-to-day operations in January of this year.

Related: Subway Reveals It Did Not Act on a Serious Complaint About Jared Fogle in 2011

Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Gen Zer's Stylish Side Hustle Earns About $20,000 a Month and Paid Off His Parents' $200,000 Debt: 'I Enjoy the Hands-Off Nature'

Ray Cao went from working as a barista for $8 an hour to being a successful seller on online marketplace StockX.

Business News

Video Shows Neuralink's First Human Brain Chip Patient Playing Chess: 'It Has Already Changed My Life'

The company, which was founded by Elon Musk, wants to know who's next.

Growing a Business

The Former Owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers Has a New Passion Project. Here's Why He's Fighting to Create a Safer Internet.

Frank McCourt Jr. built a successful career before dedicating his energy to a new passion.

Growing a Business

How to Determine the Right Pricing Strategy for Your Small Business

Discover how small businesses can navigate the challenging terrain of pricing strategy in a post-inflation economy.

Starting a Business

I Was a 25-Year-Old Nurse When I Started a Side Hustle to Combat Anxiety. It Made $1 Million in 7 Months — Then Sold for a Life-Changing Amount.

Sarah Michelle Boes knew there had to be a better way to prepare for her stress-inducing nurse practitioner's exam — so she created it.