Some participating SUBWAY® restaurants have adopted the SUBWAY® Rewards Program, which replaces the old Sub Club® stamps program. Under the Rewards Program, customers earn one (1) point for every dollar spent on SUBWAY® restaurant menu items. The points can then be redeemed for free menu items. Points are rounded up or down to the nearest dollar, prior to sales taxes.

Rewards Points are automatically calculated and added to your account at the time of purchase. You must present your SUBWAY® Rewards Card at the time of purchase in order to earn Points. In the event the SUBWAY® restaurant location is unable to load Rewards Points onto your card due to technical issues, you may mail in your receipt to have them added.

About the company - Doctor’s Associates Inc. (DAI), the owner of the SUBWAY® System, is a privately held company which is unfortunate for those of us interesting in owning Subway stock. Founder Fred DeLuca serves as President. The corporate headquarters, located in Milford, Conn., employs more than 600.

History - In the summer in 1965, The SUBWAY® brand was founded. It was the brainchild of 17-year old Fred DeLuca and his family friend Dr. Peter Buck, with its purpose being to earn money for Fred’s college tuition. With a $1,000 loan from Dr. Buck, Fred opened up the sub shop, then called "Pete’s Super Submarines" in Bridgeport, Conn.

Growth - Currently there are more than 30,000 locations in 83 countries, making it the second largest fast-food franchise in the world. Approximately 5,000 of these locations are non-traditional units as in truck stops, colleges/universities, hospitals, military bases, arenas, shopping malls, and more. The goal is to be the largest fast-food franchise in every market - just as we have in the US and Canada - and to have locations in every country of the world.

Advertising - The goal of the chain’s current advertising campaign is to increase its presence in the consumers’ "consideration set", which fast-food restaurants consumers consider when deciding where to eat. The SUBWAY®  chain is doing this through a variety of tactics, including the 8 subs with 6 grams of fat or less and other low-fat messages; a family marketing strategy; and an emphasis on unique qualities that make the chain stand out from other fast-food chains.

The majority of SUBWAY® Restaurants’ advertising is done on national TV during prime time, sports and late-night programming on all major networks and cable networks. Additional advertising is placed locally on TV, radio and in print. Internet advertising is the newest ad form.

The chain’s creative advertising agency is Mccarthy, Mambro Bertino Advertising (MMB), found in Boston, Massachusetts. MediaCom, New York, N.Y., is the agency-of-record doing the national media planning and buying. There are also around 30 local U.S. advertising agencies that work with the SUBWAY® franchisees on a regional level.

Sales - 2005 system wide sales totaled $9.05 billion worldwide and has since exceeded $10 billion(as of 12/31/05)

Community Involvement - The SUBWAY® chain and its more than 25,000 franchised units are very community oriented. Many of the franchise owners help support their local communities through monetary and product donations. Their assistance has helped benefit many non-profit organizations and charities, as well as high schools and clubs. The corporate headquarters also assists many organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Conservation International, United Way, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Multiple Sclerosis Society of America, and many organizations local to the Milford, Connecticut office.

Just as Fred DeLuca got his opportunity to start his business via a small business loan from a good friend, many others are getting the same opportunity thanks to DeLuca.