In 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported that the company had surpassed McDonalds in terms of outlets. Now, the owners are facing backlash from struggling franchisees and rumors they plan to sell Subway. The board restructured Subway to create a series of limited liability companies in 2018, according to company filings. During his tenure, Subway grew into the largest franchise in the world. At the time of his death, his net worth was at $3.5 billion, according to Forbes. "[10] The third outlet was in a highly visible location[6] and that location is still there today.[11]. Is CT recycling going into the trash? And people didn't fear her.". a restaurant analyst with Pacific Management Consulting Group, told Insider in April. And rumors are currently going around that DeLucas widow, Elisabeth (who owns half of Subway), and Buck want to sell the chain altogether. Seller hopes students and researchers across expertise and disciplines will be able to work together on the vast stretch of land. In 1993 alone, Subway managed to open 1,100 restaurant, which was more units in one year than their competitor McDonalds, with 800 new restaurants only. But industry sources tell The Post that the pandemic is the only reason the company wasnt put up for auction last year as initially planned. Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg. Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone, Seller said. DeLuca was married to his high-school sweetheart, Elisabeth. Now, these rumors are forcing the secretive owners into the spotlight. "He was a complex guy; Liz is wonderful," said John Haynes, a franchise expert who knew the DeLucas. Insiders said that when anyone asked Buck a question about Subway, his answer was always, "talk to Fred.". azzurro restaurant aruba menu; maronite archdiocese of beirut. The question is how do you make that happen and in the right way.. Elisabeth DeLuca (m.1966-2015, his death) Children: Jonathan DeLuca: Parents: Carmela DeLuca, Salvatore DeLuca . In November 2019, Subway hired John Chidsey as its permanent CEO. Photo by Diane Bondareff/Invision for SUBWAY/AP Images. Buck's health has declined in recent years, according to franchisees and former executives. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Subway clamps down on franchisees as fast-food giant eyes $8B sale: sources, Subway co-founder leaves half his stake in multibillion-dollar sandwich chain to sons charity: report, Subway exploring potential sale at $10B valuation: report. [6], In 1965, 17-year-old DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from family friend Peter Buck. Jonathan makes rare appearances on Channe's Instagram where she has more than 41,000 followers alongside inspirational quotes, glamorous beachside photoshoots, and photos of their children. A man of dignity, Fred McGriff was a unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee. Deborah Deluca (born July 23, 1980) is famous for being dj. But now a new in-depth piece by Insiders Kate Taylor about Subways complicated relationship with its founder, Fred DeLuca, shows that the chain has been struggling with its leadership for a very long time now. Until the federal government takes its regulatory role seriously and uses the big stick that it has, corporations will attempt to self-regulate HUSKY Health is helping immigrants. When Fred DeLuca died, Buck and Liz DeLuca brought in experts to help manage the company. Bowman has been studying the grasshopper sparrow for years, and is hopeful the new partnership will lead to groundbreaking research to save the bird. My . (In 2021, Subway has inched the royalty fee up to 10%, which is putting serious strain on businesses that have already struggled through the pandemic.). The first store failed, but DeLuca gamely started another one, and within a decade, he had made it work, opening 32 stores with a switch to a franchise model. In 2015, revenue skyrocketed to $173 million. His family also owned a home in Florida. Subway is owned by two individuals: Elisabeth DeLuca and Peter Buck. Neither are listed as directors in Subway's 2021 franchise disclosure document, a departure from the 2020 document. Email [email protected], or get in touch via the Signal encrypted messenger app at (646) 768-4740. For its newest ad campaign supporting a line of wraps, Subway has turned to humor rather than athletes and other famous spokespeople, one ad juxtaposing a tiny wrap nibbled by a hamster at a miniature restaurant table versus its own stuffed with flavors like chipotle, Caesar dressing or guacamole. Fred DeLuca, Subways co-founder pictured here in. The companys success continued with the $5 footlong, though a bizarre lawsuit in 2012 famously claimed the sandwiches werent really a one foot in length. Close top bar. And its making their lives miserable amid sagging sales. In a franchise disclosure document filed in late April, Subway reported it had closed a net 1,601 locations in the US in 2020. Insider previously reported that rumors have been swirling that Subway was hoping to sell itself, following the arrival of CEO John Chidsey in late 2019. Fred DeLuca led Subway for 40 years after cofounding the business with Buck in 1965. The size of the property will provide several educational opportunities for students and research, said Brent Seller, director of the range cattle research and education center at the University of Floridas Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Prior to Subway, Chidsey's last gig in the restaurant industry was preparing Burger King for a sale to 3G in 2010. When Fred DeLuca was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013, Liz cared for him during his two years of treatment in Connecticut at the Yale New Haven Hospital. One of the founders of Subway has died, a month after the Jared Fogle saga appeared to end. Sources estimated DeLucas net worth at $1.5 billion, which made him number 259 on Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. It is directly north of the stateKissimmee Prairie Reserve,and joins about 250,000 acres ofprotected land around the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area. DeLuca was already a director for the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation. Since his diagnosis, his sister, Suzanne Greco, had been in charge of the company, reports Bloomberg. What fast food chain are you based on your zodiac sign? CT proposal causes confusion, concern. In 2000, the company calendar featured half-clothed male executives posing in various locations, like a shower and a conference room. In the CBS interview, Greco reflected on the moment her brother handed over the keys to Subway, and the years since. [2] At the age of 10, DeLuca moved to Amsterdam, New York, where he and his family became friends with Peter Buck. before attending Connecticut College. Frederick Adrian Fred DeLuca was born on 3 October 1947, in Brooklyn, New York City USA, of Italian-American descent. During DeLuca's tenure, Subway grew to be the largest franchise in the world. Before plans are set on how the program may expand, like with construction of dormitoriesor classrooms on the land, Seller said, an advisory committee or council is likely to be formed at the university to decide how to best approach this gift. "Jon just thought that everything Fred was doing was right, because he really was brainwashed.". Liz and Fred traveled and attended some Subway meetings together, but they had independent personal lives. Ana said that the topic of money and Jonathan's refusal to discuss the family's finances were ongoing points of contention throughout their marriage. This is a breaking story so stay tuned for updates. "It never made any sense. 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, New soul food restaurant, Everybody Eatz, opens in Bridgeport, 29 Markle Ct, an upscale new American restaurant, now open, Caribbean restaurant and lounge, Ten20, to close in Bridgeport, Bridgeports west side Starbucks is under construction, British home brand OKA coming to Westport in December, Crumbl Cookies opens fifth Connecticut location in Milford, CT womans self-defense keychains go viral on TikTok, Bridgeport retro shop brings VHS and vinyl to new Colorado store, Jenni Kayne Home, California-based store opens in Westport, Sneaker boutique The Sneaker Mansion opens in Bridgeport, CT's best breakfast restaurants for 2023, according to Connecticut Magazine, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo mourning the death of Sedge the river otter, 'Candlewood' horror movie drops trailer inspired by local urban legends, M&T urged to end 'banking desert' in Bridgeport neighborhoods, Police: Norwalk student lost consciousness after teacher's chokehold, Bridgeport police deploy Taser at scene of assault, official says, Police make up 19 of Trumbull's top 20 highest paid employees, The Best Private High Schools Near Stamford, The Best Private Preschools Near New Haven, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT. A rain garden is an area dug slightly below the surrounding area that can catch and collect rainfall and keep it from carrying pollutants downstream. Ana, who had two daughters from a previous marriage, gave birth to their daughter Sofia in 2006. [21][12][22][23], DeLuca had homes in Milford, Connecticut, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida,[16] and lived with his wife Elisabeth. [6] DeLuca adopted a child of Cindy Mattson, named Luca. Subway named as interim CEO Trevor Haynes, who joined Subway in 2006 as a territory manager in Australia, with Haynes worked his way up Subways ladder to chief business development officer today. "He wanted to be the perfect son, the perfect everything," Ana DeLuca said of her ex-husband. As of 2022, Fred DeLuca net worth is estimated to be $2.8 billion. The call for change comes amid rumors that chief executive officer John Chidsey has been cutting costs, including moving operations to Florida from Milford, Conn., in an effort to pretty the company up for sale. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Invision for Subway Restaurants/AP, Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Underground Lauderdale, NOW WATCH: How a small company in India produces over 2,000 tons of colorful Holi powder each year. Without creating a hospitable habitat for ducks, there is no robust population for hunting. [5] This was after Buck suggested the idea to help DeLuca make money for college[4][7] to study medicine. DeLuca died on Sept. 14, 2015. Though in May 2014, USA Today reported that DeLuca was 90% back on the job.. With a weak class of first-time candidates, holdovers Scott Rolen, Todd Helton, and Andruw Jones could win election to the Hall of Fame next week. red devils mc ontario. Heres a huge new opportunity for recovery, said Reed Bowman, director of the avian ecology program at the Archbold Biological Station, a Florida research institute. Frederick Adrian DeLuca (October 3, 1947 - September 14, 2015) was an American businessman, who was the co-founder and president of the Subway franchise of fast food restaurants with Peter Buck. Liz, Buck, and their sons are on the board of the parent company: Subway Worldwide. rumors have been swirling that Subway was hoping to sell itself. Joshua Solomon is a politics reporter covering the Treasure Coast. In 1984, Subway granted its first international franchise. Expenses over that time period ranged from a low of $214,439 in 2015 to a high of $13.6 million in 2018. Elisabeth DeLuca - one of Subway's owners and the widow of co-founder Fred DeLuca - has started her own charitable foundation. Insiders say that Chris Buck like Jonathan DeLuca is a staple at franchisee conventions while having little involvement with the day-to-day business of running Subway. His salary is unknown, but it is safe to say that he earns a comfortable living. Subway employees and franchisees said that Fred failed to set up a functional succession plan. Franchisees say that Buck and Elisabeth DeLuca essentially vanished after hiring Chidsey. In his personal life, Fred DeLuca married his high school girlfriend Elisabeth in 1966; the couple had a daughter and a son. DeLuca filed to create the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation. After the businessmans death, his sister Suzanne Greco took over the management of the company. "I would have sold it a long time ago, and not put people through the misery," Haynes said. Subways tight grip on its stores operations has even prohibited some operators from upgrading the quality of the food they sell, the letter said. Your email address will not be published. [26][1], At the graduation commencement in 2002, DeLuca received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) In 2012, three years before DeLuca's death, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation's total revenue was $231,340 and expenses (including charitable disbursements) were $166,430. Interesting facts and data about Elisabeth Deluca: life expectancy, age, death date, gender, popularity, net worth, location, social media outreach, biography, and more By the end of the day, DeLuca wrote in his book, Start Small, Finish Big, he was holding onto a check for a thousand bucks. While Ana said she and her husband would frequently host Subway employees and franchisees for dinners and cocktail parties, Jonathan never worked at Subway. Since 2009, the 27,000 acres had been held under the name FD Destiny Credit,a corporation under Rockridge Capital Holdings, which Elisabeth and Jonathan DeLuca managed, according to state corporation records. "We had to take away from our families so that we can pay royalties to you, a multi-billionaire who does not need a bailout or any federal aid," the letter said. Check Background Get Contact Info This Is Me - Edit Reputation & Background View All Public Private Court, Arrest, Lawsuits, Bankruptcy Records & Sex Offender Status Last November, in what was at the time her first TV interview, Greco expressed confidence the changes would reinvigorate the Subway brand. Being the size that we are, its not as simple to make a change but we are making rapid changes.. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the now 90-year-old cofounder would appear via video at franchisee meetings, unable to travel far from his Danbury, Connecticut home. Subway made Buck rich, with Forbes estimating his current net worth to be $1.6 billion. I dont know of any place like it in Florida that has this much geographic diversity, but history with it as well, Angle said. This year we asked our panel of experts to give some extra love to those restaurants where amore is on Alexander Soule is a business writer with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation's stated mission is to "support charitable programs that empower individuals to lead healthy and productive lives," with donations to groups such as the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, and the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. She added: Fred could do anything that Fred wanted to do and everybody would just agree, turn their head to the other side, due to the power and wealth he wielded in the family and the company. The Insider piece goes much further in-depth, providing a view into a company whose internal struggles are causing a rift between its corporate leaders and its franchisees. The business is now defunct, with Jonathan turning his attention to investing, as well as sitting on Subway's board. rabbit sneeze attack; liberty finance equalisation fee; harris teeter covid booster shots. His success story is one of the greatest in the American history, as Fred DeLuca became famous thanks to Subway, the worldwide known fast food restaurant that he founded at the end of the 60s. If you want to contact Elisabeth, you can send a message at their address [email protected] become nearly impossible to reach in recent years. [12][15][16][14], A Subway Franchisee whistleblower named Cindy Mills came forward and alerted several high ranking Subway executives about Fogle's pedophilia and illicit sexual activity. This range will give researchers opportunities to learn just how much human interaction may be helpful for things such as cattle ranching, waterfowl conservation andwetlands restoration. It also create a substantial landscape conservation effort, said Emily Purcell, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist. In late April, a group of more than 100 franchisees wrote an open letter to Elisabeth DeLuca, complaining about aspects of the business and demanding a cut of sales if Subway is sold. Elisabeth M Deluca, Stephanie C Ayers were identified as possible owners of the phone number (630) 247-7126. DeLuca would do the groundwork of running the restaurant, while Buck would take care of the funds. What emerged was a story of chaos in the aftermath of Fred DeLuca's death, as the company's owners have failed to stop Subway's downward spiral. She said her outside activities these days include boating, traveling and shepherding a daughter to equestrian events. Subway cofounder Fred DeLuca ruled the company like a demigod and pursued wives of franchisees. Jonathan still lives in Florida, raising his youngest two children with their mother, Kavita Channe, a television host, influencer, and creator of wine brand Chann Ros. DeLucas death adds to Subways recent rough patch, including the moment when it admitted that it had received an early complaint about Jared Fogle, its former spokesman who has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and having sex with minors. The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation has seen a significant increase in contributions received and given since the death of Fred DeLuca in 2015. In 2004, Buck provided funds for the Smithsonian to buy a rare 23.1-carat ruby in honor of his late wife. DeLuca started Subway in 1965 as a 17-year-old bootstrapper originally trying to devise a way to fund his own college education. The entire ecosystem of the land is of interest to Scott Angle, vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida. He is the co-founder and CEO of Subway, one of the world's largest restaurant chains. A decade ago, though, the DeLuca family considered selling the land, which currently has a taxable value of $4.2 million,according to property records. as of 3/1/23. Grateful for Buck's support, he named . His Bio, wiki, net Who is actor Jonathan Bailey? A long-time franchisee who knows Liz personally said that her disappearance, during a time when many struggling franchisees and other Subway insiders are trying to get reach her, is at odds with her reputation as a kind, caring person. [17][13] In a statement, Subway denied any knowledge of Fogle's pedophilia and that executives including DeLuca and others were previously unaware of Fogle engaging in underage prostitution both in the United States and in Thailand.[18]. Last year, Subway announced it would add 200 jobs in Milford focused on digital marketing and other technology forays, with the town of Milford listing Subways headquarters employment at about 980 people as of 2017. Its absolutely true that Everglades restoration, which is quite desirable for the state, is going to happen, Angle said. "Liz is not a business woman," a former Subway executive said. DeLucas former daughter-in-law, Ana DeLuca, recalled his habit of bringing girlfriends around as soon as his wife, Elisabeth, was gone. DeLuca created the company in Bridgeport in 1965 as a way to pay for college, with backing from his co-founder and Danbury resident Peter Buck, who continues to hold an ownership stake alongside the widowed Elisabeth DeLuca. The start was rough, but within a decade, despite their struggles, DeLuca managed to pay his way through the University of Bridgeport, and the company originally known as Petes Super Submarines had opened 32 locations. Two persons, including Marc Alan Deluca, Elisabeth M Deluca, listed the phone number (630) 213-5802 as their own, various documents indicated. Read more:Rumors are flying that Subway is up for sale as the distressed sandwich chain lays off hundreds to cut costs and abandons franchisees. University of Florida is to have rights to the land and Ducks Unlimited is to have the easement to the land; Putnam expects some hunting on the land to partly pay for its upkeep. The entrepreneurs income came from the fast food franchises he owned, now present in 98 countries and registering more than $9 billion in sales annually. Recent posts to her Instagram account show her attending her daughter's horse shows and sipping Veuve Clicquot. Elisabeth, who could not be immediately reached for comment, worked for a time in Subway's corporate offices, but now lives in. As a result, it becomes a great living laboratory for our students and scientists.. Besides the holding company Doctors Associates Inc., which owns Subway, DeLuca and his partner Peter Buck also created Franchise Brands, as part of their efforts to help inexperienced entrepreneurs to reach success in the franchise industry. Most of it has been lightly touched and some of it has been more heavily altered. Is he married October 3, 1947, Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. September 14, 2015, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, U.S. (aged 67), Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Co-founder of the "Subway" franchis, Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticu, University of Bridgeport, Elisabeth DeLuca (m.1966-2015, his death). Yet, few outside the industry realize that just two individual owners not a private equity firm or a suite of shareholders are calling the shots at the company. Early life and education [ edit] She was entitled to billions of dollars, but he had this reign of terror over her, over his son.". Fred had a series of romantic partners, even adopting a child informally, and not through a legal process, according to court filings with one long-time girlfriend. open letter on Monday to Elisabeth DeLuca, The Well recovering a year after pandemic shuts business, The one zeal of a woke backlash to ESG investments, REBNY's new return-to-office gauge paints bright view for 'trophy' towers, Food delivery maven unveils NYC shop after dumping Mercedes mobile kitchens, US home prices just did something they haven't done since 2012, JPMorgan Chase requires some workers give 6 months notice before quitting, Biden, Buttigieg call on airlines to drop family seating fees, Tom Sandoval speaks out on Raquel Leviss affair: I deserve your anger, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval have awkward moment amid cheating scandal, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. While Fred was known for his obsessive dedication to Subway, Elisabeth had lived apart from her husband for much of their life leaving her in the dark about many aspects of the business, sources told Insider. 2011, had hoped to continue running Subway and expanding it 50,000 stores by 2017 (Eric Piermont/AFP/Getty Images). They would call to complain about Greco and other executives' decisions. Fred served as an extraordinarily hands-on cofounder and CEO. In 2013, DeLuca told Inc Magazine I dont think we would have gotten as far as we did without Jared and the new bread and the menu that we also introduced at that time., In August 2015, Cindy Mills, a Subway franchisee from Pensacola, Florida, told USA Today that she told upper management at Subway about Jared Fogles behavior and interest in children., Fred DeLuca Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. I love the brand and the company, and I always will, but its time for me to have more balance in my life. Frederick Adrian DeLuca (October 3, 1947 September 14, 2015) was an American businessman, who was the co-founder and president of the Subway franchise of fast food restaurants with Peter Buck. [12] Every Monday, Dr. Buck would visit the DeLuca household and visit Carmela and Fred to discuss the Subway business. I feel very good about the strategic moves weve made in the last three years, and I have confidence in the future of the company.. Fred DeLuca co-founded Subway in 1965 with $1,000 from family friend Peter Buck, who still owns half the firm. One former corporate staffer said many wondered why she and Fred never divorced, as their personalities could not be more different. Weve worked hard, struggled, and persevered all in the name of chasing our piece of the American Dream.. "No one ever understood why she never divorced him," a long-time franchisee said. The shop was originally a way to help pay . Grateful for Buck's support, he named his restaurant Pete's. The conservation efforts of Ducks Unlimited arefocused around waterfowl, she said, but their work goes hand-in-hand with wetlands work so that the ducks can then have a home. (One franchisee called her a pathetic, poor copy of Fred.) The board, led by Peter Buck and Elisabeth DeLuca, hired the current CEO, John Chidsey, in late 2019; Chidsey, a former CEO of Burger King, came out of retirement to take the position. Chidsey has made significant changes, laying off upwards of 500 employees from the Milford headquarters, moving the culinary and marketing teams to Miami, and phasing out many development agents. The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation massively ramped up grants and charitable giving in the years since Fred DeLuca's death. One of the co-founders of Subway has died at the age of 67. Nobody needs this, at any age, but certainly when you're in your seventies and you want to enjoy life.". The typically private Elisabeth DeLuca has been in the spotlight recently amid rumors of a potential sale of Subway, which Subway has denied. A Fort Lauderdale-based family office manages her and Jonathan's money. None of thats possible if it becomes suburban sprawl.. All Rights Reserved. Elisabeth DeLuca one of Subway's owners and the widow of co-founder Fred DeLuca has started her own charitable foundation. A month later, Greco was out as CEO. Powered by. (Getty Images), Earlier this year, Subway cut its ties to former spokesman Jared Fogle after he was investigated for child pornography. He sees the partnership between University of Florida and Ducks Unlimited as important and strong,and one that can substantially assist statewide environmental concerns. (Incidentally, Subway cut all ties to Fogle, when authorities announced that he was part of a Federal Investigation on child pornography.). Jun 9, 2022 . The inflation/rate hike combination has led to ongoing questions and concerns about the impact on commercial real estate, sales volumes and cap rates. representative said that the company "is not for sale.". Neither responded to requests for comment. On the other hand, Liz and Buck are aging and Subway's turnaround has yet to take hold. Fred DeLuca, president and co-founder of the Subway Restaurant chain, in a Parisian Subway restaurant on June 17, 2011. At meetings, Chris is a friendly and upbeat presence, convention attendees said. DeLuca is also a director for the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, which is named after her late husband, Subway co-founder Fred DeLuca. We've received your submission. The late Fred DeLuca, center, pictured in September 2013 at a United Way of Milford promotional event at Subways world headquarters. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. But instead, Buck proposed the two combine forces to open a sub shop. It can become a sanctuary for organisms in the soil. The three other board members are Subway executives: CEO John Chidsey, serving as president; chief financial officer Ben Wells, serving as treasurer; and chief legal officer Ilene Kobert, serving as secretary. DeLuca started Subway in 196 5 as a 17-year-old bootstrapper originally trying to devise a way to fund his own college education. Instead of joining Fred in Florida, she lived in a modest home in Orange, Connecticut. A Subway representative said that the company "is not for sale.". At a barbecue he tried to ask his parents friend Peter Buck, a nuclear physicist, for advice. DeLuca passed away in 2015 at the age of 67 and left behind a jumbled mess, both in his business and personal lives: it was revealed that he cheated on his wife with multiple franchisees' wives. DeLuca, worth an estimated $3.5 billion, started with a single sub shop in rural Connecticut back in 1965. It is estimated that DeLuca owns approximately . According to people who knew the father and son, Jonathan appeared to be stuck in DeLuca's shadow. The two business partners managed to open a second unit in 1966 and, soon after, they went for a third store in a better location. When Fred was alive, Buck appeared content acting as a silent partner at the company. Fred DeLuca took his first $1000 to start with from his friend Peter Buck, who therefore became the co-founder of the company. One of DeLuca's business associates said that when Subway first opened its headquarters, Buck asked where his office would be. Sales rumors have forced owners, especially Liz, into the spotlight. In 2017, Peter Buck told the New York Post that he wanted to invest in "sub-chains" to turn business around. She currently resides in Naples, Campania, Italy. DeLuca Preserve. Subway is a sinking ship right now and they have to stabilize operations to sell the company.. NEW YORK CITY Subway co-founder and CEO Fred DeLuca was staring death in the face less than a year ago. The Subway cofounder a former nuclear physicist is a humble, reserved man, dedicated to philanthropy, according to those who know him.