Mitchell Schlimer: Fred DeLuca, a Celebration of Life

Memories of Subway founder shared with Facebook audience.

SPONSOREDUpdated 5:17PM • 10/12/15

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As told by Mitchell Schlimer, founder and executive director of the EpiCenter, the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, and founder, chairman and CEO at Mitch Schlimer Ventures, LLC, through his Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/mitchell.schlimer

I have so many great memories from over the decades with Fred, and that includes sitting in his office in Milford Connecticut, and him telling me the goal was to open 5,000 Subways and then later on at Atticus, in downtown New Haven, he told me 10,000 was the new goal. His first goal with Peter (Buck, co-founder of Subway) was 32 outlets. Having goals were very important to Fred.

Today, on his passing, there are 44,270 Subways in 110 Countries around the world as Subway celebrates its 50th Anniversary since Fred and Peter opened Pete's Super Submarines at age 17 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with a $1,000 investment by family friend Peter Buck for 50 percent of Dr. Associates/Subway.

I actually believe it is the greatest investment ever made, as a $1,000 turned into billions in return to Dr. Buck, who Fred shared with us has never made a sub smile emoticon. Yes, billions, and hey never had a formal contract or written agreement over the 50 years, and only a hand shake as this says more about Fred than anything I can ever share with you.

Myself and over 170 others in attendance will never forget when on December 1, 2012, at the Estate in midtown Atlanta (video above), Fred was officially inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame which I founded over a decade ago. It was a night that all in attendance will never forget, and that included Fred as well seen here in this photo with me that night where he also received his "e" award created and hand blown by world-renowned glass artist Hans Godo Frabel.

RIP my friend! And please know, you will be missed more than any one can imagine, as you truly were a one of a kind.

Hope you all enjoy as much as I do, and for Fred, there was no looking back over his shoulder and only looking forward to his next goal of 50,000 Subway's as that day there was 38,000 worldwide. Only 5,000 to go! "Eat Fresh" my friends!