1851

<p style="color: #222222;   background-color: #ffffff;">The appreciations and memories are pouring in to 1851 for Subway co-founder Fred DeLuca, who died Monday. He had been battling leukemia for a couple of years.&nbsp;</p><div><a href="http://www.whichwichfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=which-wich-founder-remembers-fred-deluca-2489" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Which Wich</a> founder and Chief Vibe Officer Jeff Sinelli recalls a very memorable meeting with DeLuca when he had just one Which Wich store. DeLuca gave him advice and wisdom that he uses to this day.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div style="font-style: normal;">"We were getting a lot of buzz at the time and he wanted to meet 'The Bag Guy' as he called me. So he reached out to me. It was real humbling. Here&#8217;s the godfather, the grandfather, of sandwiches and here he wants to talk to this little guy with just one store. He was so generous and kind. His boat was in Fort Lauderdale, and my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, Courtney, and I were in Miami. The boat was called the Subconscious and it was gorgeous. I didn&#8217;t know at the time why he wanted to meet me, but he was gracious enough to send us a car and Courtney and I spent time with Fred and his wife for three hours. He called me &#8216;The Bag Guy&#8217; kind of as a fun play on 'The Bad Guy' as I was technically the competition. Fred told me he thought we were onto something with the bag and the concept, and he just wanted to meet me and get to know me, which felt so great at the time to validate what we were doing. ... I remember just sitting on the couch next to him as he was describing his successes and where he felt he fell short, and giving me wisdom of the things to focus on as I developed the Which Wich brand. It was really nice to be on the receiving end of some of his wisdom that he imparted and shaped how I&#8217;m growing my businesses and my future with Which Wich now. He gave me some key nuggets on what he did throughout his career and his key principles, which I don&#8217;t share with anyone, but I still live by to this day. It&#8217;s paid dividends and I give credit for some of that to Fred."</div><div>&nbsp; </div><div>He also remembers the funny side of DeLuca, especially at a dinner during a National Restaurant Association show. </div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>"I had a table at Gibson&#8217;s Steakhouse and there were maybe four or five people with me at the Which Wich table. The table adjacent to us, however, had 20 or more people from Subway. So it was a real David and Goliath situation. Fred stood up and came over at one point and said to me, 'Catch any secrets over there?' I said, 'I think it&#8217;s the other way around.' We shared a laugh. We had kind and warm exchanges any time we saw each other."&nbsp;</div><p style="font-style: normal;"> </p><p style="font-style: normal;">Sinelli says he'll be honoring DeLuca in his own way. </p><div>"Every time I saw Fred, he was wearing his signature V-neck sweaters. So, I sometimes wear a V-neck because of him. As we get closer to fall and winter, I&#8217;m sure I&#8217;ll be wearing more of them to think of him and honor him."</div>

1851 Franchise

The Subway co-founder provided sound advice, lots of laughs over the years. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Which Wich Founder Remembers Fred DeLuca       

which-wich-founder-remembers-fred-deluca

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Which Wich Founder Remembers Fred DeLuca

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS