McDonald's vs Subway: Founders, CEOs and History
McDonald's was founded in 1940 by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc and is led by Chris Kempczinski. Subway was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca, Dr. Peter Buck and is led by Jonathan Fitzpatrick.
Company facts
McDonald's
- Founded
- 1940
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Current CEO
- Chris Kempczinski
- Employees
- 150,000
Subway
- Founded
- 1965
- Headquarters
- Shelton, Connecticut & Miami, Florida, United States
- Current CEO
- Jonathan Fitzpatrick
- Employees
- 2,000
Founders
McDonald's
Maurice James McDonald
Maurice "Mac" McDonald co-founded McDonald's with his brother Richard in 1940, opening a barbecue drive-in in San Bernardino, California.
Richard James McDonald
Richard McDonald co-founded McDonald's and played a leading role in the 1948 redesign that turned a local drive-in into the template for modern fast food.
Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955 and built the franchising organization that made the brand famous far beyond California.
Subway
Fred DeLuca
Fred DeLuca was an absolutely legendary American retail entrepreneur, fiercely visionary franchising pioneer, and the profoundly influential CEO and founding patriarch fundamentally responsible for architecting the massively dominant Subway restaurant empire.
Dr. Peter Buck
Dr. Peter Buck was a fiercely brilliant American nuclear physicist, highly astute financial backer, and the profoundly influential commercial co-founder fundamentally responsible for the incredibly robust early capitalization of the massive Subway restaurant e…
CEOs and their tenures
McDonald's
- Ray Kroc1967–1973
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Fred Turner1974–1987
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Jim Skinner2004–2012
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Steve Easterbrook2015–2019
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Chris Kempczinski2019–present
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source
Subway
- Fred DeLuca1965–2015
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Subway from 1965 to 2015.
Source - Suzanne Greco2015–2019
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Subway from 2015 to 2019.
Source - John Chidsey2019–2024
Chief Executive Officer
Former Burger King CEO who orchestrated Subway's 'Eat Fresh, Refresh' menu transformation, introduced on-site deli slicers, and led the $9.55B sale to Roark Capital.
Source - Jonathan Fitzpatrick2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Former Burger King executive who led Driven Brands for more than 12 years; became Subway CEO on July 28, 2025, after John Chidsey retired at the end of 2024.
Source
Timeline: McDonald's and Subway side by side
1940McDonald's
First McDonald's Opens in San Bernardino
Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant on May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, California. The original drive-in gave the brothers a live operating laboratory before they stripped the model down to a faster, lower-cost menu.
1948McDonald's
Speedee Service System Introduced
The brothers simplified operations in 1948 around 15-cent hamburgers, shakes, and fries.
1955McDonald's
Ray Kroc Opens Des Plaines Restaurant
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 15, 1955 after becoming the brothers' franchise agent. That restaurant became the base for converting a California operating idea into a national franchise system.
1961McDonald's
Hamburger University Opens
Hamburger University opened in the basement of an Elk Grove Village, Illinois restaurant in 1961. The training program mattered because it formalized the standards and operating routines that franchisees needed to deliver a consistent experience.
1961McDonald's
Kroc Buys the Brothers' Company
McDonald's says it acquired the rights to the brothers' company in 1961 for $2.7 million. The deal gave Kroc control of the name and system, setting up the real estate-backed franchise model that later defined parent-company economics.
1965Subway
Pete's Super Submarines Opens in Bridgeport, CT
Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck opened their first sub shop with a $1,000 seed loan.
1968McDonald's
Big Mac Added to National Menu
The Big Mac, developed by owner-operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh, was added to the national menu in 1968. It became a durable core product and a recognizable signal of the company's ability to turn franchisee ideas into systemwide menu platforms.
1968Subway
Rebranded as 'Subway' with Arrow Logo
Adopted the well-known Subway name and yellow-and-green arrow branding.
1974Subway
Launch of the Franchise Expansion Model
Began franchising in Connecticut, igniting decades of exponential physical expansion.
1975McDonald's
Egg McMuffin Builds Breakfast
The Egg McMuffin, created by owner-operator Herb Peterson of Santa Barbara, California, was added to the national menu in 1975. It helped turn breakfast into a major daypart rather than leaving the restaurants dependent on lunch and dinner traffic.
1984Subway
First International Store Opens in Bahrain
Expanded outside North America, beginning global international franchising.
2008Subway
Launch of the Iconic '$5 Footlong' Campaign
Introduced the viral $5 Footlong promotion, driving record sales during the Great Recession.
2017McDonald's
Global McDelivery Day with UberEATS
McDonald's marked Global McDelivery Day in 2017 to support the broader launch of McDelivery with UberEATS. Delivery expanded restaurant reach beyond the counter and drive-thru, while also adding packaging, marketplace-fee, and kitchen-throughput challenges.
2019McDonald's
Dynamic Yield Acquisition
McDonald's agreed to acquire Dynamic Yield in 2019 to personalize drive-thru menu boards, kiosks, and app experiences using signals such as time of day, weather, restaurant traffic, and trending items.
2021Subway
Launch of the 'Eat Fresh, Refresh' Overhaul
Initiated the largest menu and ingredient modernization in company history under then-CEO John Chidsey.
2024McDonald's
Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak
U.S. Public health agencies linked a 2024 E. Coli outbreak to slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounders in affected states.
2024Subway
Roark Capital Completes Subway Purchase
Roark Capital closed its purchase of Subway in April 2024 in a deal valued at about $9.55 billion, including an earn-out.
2025McDonald's
$26.9B FY2025 Revenue
McDonald's reported $26.885 billion in FY2025 revenue and $8.563 billion in net income.
2025Subway
Jonathan Fitzpatrick Becomes CEO
Former Driven Brands CEO Jonathan Fitzpatrick took over as Subway CEO on July 28, 2025.
2026Subway
First-Ever Value Menu
Subway launched a value menu of 15 entrees under $5 in April 2026.
Acquisitions
McDonald's
- Dynamic Yield2019$300M
- Apprente2019Undisclosed
- Boston Market2000$173.5M
- Donatos Pizza1999Undisclosed
- Chipotle Mexican Grill stake1998Undisclosed
Subway
- Roark Capital Acquisition of Subway2024$9.6B
- Avanti Commerce (Digital Assets)2016Undisclosed
- Cajun Joe's1989Undisclosed
Questions about McDonald's vs Subway
Who is the CEO of McDonald's Corporation and Subway?
McDonald's Corporation is led by Chris Kempczinski and Subway is led by Jonathan Fitzpatrick. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was McDonald's Corporation founded vs Subway?
McDonald's Corporation was founded in 1940 — 25 years before Subway, which was founded in 1965. McDonald's Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Subway.
How many employees does McDonald's Corporation have compared to Subway?
McDonald's Corporation employs approximately 150,000 people, while Subway employs approximately 2,000. McDonald's Corporation has the larger workforce at 150,000 employees, compared to Subway's 2,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are McDonald's Corporation and Subway headquartered?
Both McDonald's Corporation and Subway are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded McDonald's Corporation and Subway?
McDonald's Corporation was founded by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc. Subway was founded by Fred DeLuca, Dr. Peter Buck.
Which company has a longer operating history — McDonald's Corporation or Subway?
McDonald's Corporation has been operating for approximately 86 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Subway has been in operation for around 61 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the McDonald's vs Subway overview