The co-founder and CEO of privately held sandwich chain Subway, Fred DeLuca, died at 67 on Monday, the company confirmed Tuesday.
DeLuca opened the restaurant a half century ago with a business partner when he was just 17 years old. Since its opening, it expanded at a quick clip. It ranks as the the country's biggest chain by units and third biggest by sales.
Fred DeLuca, Subway co-founder and chief executive officer
Source: Katie Little | CNBC
He had been battling Leukemia since 2013 and recently named his sister Suzanne Greco as president to run day-to-day operations for the chain.
Recently, Subway has drawn considerable media attention after it cut ties to longtime spokesman Jared Fogle amid a child porn investigation. Fogle pleaded guilty to charges last month.