Subway

Name: Subway

Type of Food: Sandwiches

Interesting Fact: Doctor’s Associates, Inc. (DAI), is the national franchisor of Subway sandwich shops. The name was chosen because Dr. Peter Buck, co-founder, was a scientist with a doctoral degree, and Fred DeLuca had aspirations of becoming a medical doctor.

History: The company wad co-founded by Fred Deuce and Dr. Peter Buck. They opened their first Subway in Connecticut in1965. The elder Dr. Buck had suggested to family friend Fred Deuce try opening a submarine shop, and with $1000 to get him started, they were on their way. By 1974 they owned and operated 16 units throughout the state of Connecticut. It was at that time, they realized they needed franchisees to make it really expand. Brian Dixon, a good friend of Fred’s, was the first franchisee but he would not be the last. In 2006, the Subway chain entered its 41st year of operation with 26422 restaurants in 85 countries.

Subway Website: www.subway.com

Official Subway Social Media: Facebook - Twitter

View the Subway menu: here

Find your local Subway here

Subway Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons

MR.SUB

Name: MR. SUB

Type of Food: Submarine Sandwiches

Interesting Fact: MR. SUB was the first to offer wraps in the food industry.

History: Orignally called Mr. Submarine (before the 1990s), MR. SUB’s first store was opened in March 1968 in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood by friends Jack Levinson and Earl Linzon. The response was overwhelming. Five months later the two founders opened a second Mr.Submarine. By 1972, MR.SUB sold its first franchise, and spread across Canada.

Today, there are over 520 restaurants from coast to coast, and Mr. Sub is still owned by the founding partners.

MR.SUB Website: www.mrsub.ca

Official MR.SUB Social Media: Facebook - Twitter

View the MR.SUB menu: here

Find your local MR.SUB: here

MR.SUB Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons

Panera Bread

Name: Panera Bread

Type of Food: Breads, sandwiches, soups, salads & bakery items

Interesting Facts: Most locations offer free wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access to customers. Panera operates the largest free wireless network in the United States.

History:

The Panera Bread® legacy began in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. Founded by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich, the company prospered in cities along the east coast of the U.S. and internationally. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Au Bon Pain became the dominant operator within the bakery-cafe category.

In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Company®, a chain of 20 bakery-cafes located in the St. Louis area. The company then managed a comprehensive re-staging of Saint Louis Bread Co. Between 1993 and 1997 average unit volumes increased by 75%. Ultimately the concept’s name was changed to Panera Bread.

By 1997, it was clear that Panera Bread had the potential to become one of the leading brands in the nation. In order for Panera Bread to reach its potential, it would require all of the company’s financial and management resources.

In May 1999, all of Au Bon Pain Co., Inc.’s business units were sold, with the exception of Panera Bread, and the company was renamed Panera Bread. Since those transactions were completed, over $1 billion in shareholder value has been created. Panera Bread has been recognized as one of Business Week’s “100 Hot Growth Companies.” As reported by The Wall St. Journal’s Shareholder Scorecard in 2006, Panera Bread was recognized as the top performer in the restaurant category for one-, five- and ten-year returns to shareholders.

In 2007, Panera Bread purchased a majority stake in Paradise Bakery & Café, a Phoenix-based concept with over 70 locations in 10 states (predominantly in the west and southwest). The Company purchased the balance of Paradise in June 2009.

In May 2010, Ron Shaich transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board and Bill Moreton, who had previously served as the company’s Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, was named Chief Executive Officer and President and to the Board of Directors.

As of June 29, 2010, there are 1,399 bakery-cafes in 40 states and in Ontario Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® and Paradise Bakery & Café® names

Panera Bread Website: www.panerabread.com

Official Panera Bread Social Media: Facebook - Twitter

View the Panera Bread menu: here

Find your local Panera Bread’s: here

Panera Bread Specials: -Newsletter – Gift Card – Coupons