Subway cofounder and longtime CEO Fred DeLuca has died at age 67 on Monday, the company said Tuesday.

DeLuca had been diagnosed with leukemia two years ago but remained fairly active with the company. Earlier this year, he relinquished day-to-day control of Subway to his sister, Suzanne Greco, so he could focus on his health. 

DeLuca cofounded Subway in 1965, when he was 17 years old, eventually growing the business to become the industry's largest chain, with more than 44,000 locations worldwide.

He was also an active member of the International Franchise Association.

DeLuca leaves behind his wife, son and sister.

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher