Our History
The Beginning
DEI's co-founders, Peter and Lucy
DiPasqua, were living in the small town of Brookfield, Connecticut. Mr.
DiPasqua, a barber by trade, always had concerns about how to fund their
retirement years.
With only $20,000 to work with, they
needed an investment that would generate income long after he stopped
cutting hair. In 1976, they stumbled on just that opportunity, and it
changed their lives forever. Through a conversation with one of his
customers, Mr. DiPasqua learned about a local sandwich shop franchise
called SUBWAY.
With plans to expand nationwide and a
low initial investment, SUBWAY seemed to be the perfect fit, so they
purchased their first franchise license.
Moving to Florida
The DiPasquas had always dreamed of
living in Central Florida, and SUBWAY had targeted Orlando as one of the
top two areas of the country to develop the concept. So in April of
1977, they opened the first of many locations in what was once an old
motorcycle shop in Orlando. Once they felt they understood the business,
plans were put in place to open more locations and they became SUBWAY's
1st multi-unit franchisee.
Today’s present owners, Peter DiPasqua
Jr. and Jeff Ganssle, came on board in 1978 to help with future growth.
By the beginning of 1980, the DiPasqua group had 5 locations open
throughout the Orlando area. The following year they were awarded one of
SUBWAY’s first development contracts and Peter Sr. concentrated on
growing the concept throughout Central Florida.
Growth and Leadership
In 1986, Lucy assumed the title of
President and Peter Jr. was promoted to CEO. Throughout the eighties and
nineties, SUBWAY saw explosive growth and DEI kept pace as well. By
1990, the company had 20 locations open and then catapulted to 30
restaurants in 11 months time.
Mr. Ganssle was promoted that year to
Director of Operations. Along with the varied benefits already being
offered, DEI added profit sharing in 1992 and a 401K plan in 1997. Since
then, DEI has contributed more than $1,500,000.00 to their employee’s
accounts. Growth has continued at a steady pace with over eighty
restaurants open today and projections for 108 locations by December of
2010.
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