Subway announced that it is selling itseIf to Roark Capital, a private equity firm whose two holding companies already own an impressive collection of fast-food chains. Roark-owned brands include Dunkin’, Carvel, Jimmy John’s, Arby’s, Cinnabon, and Buffalo Wild Wings–and that’s just a partiaI list.
Subway is owned by the families of Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck, who founded the chain in 1965. At the time, Buck was 34. DeLuca was 17 and trying to raise money for college. Buck Ient him $1,000 and suggested they start a sandwich shop.
DeLuca passed away in 2015 and Buck di ed in 2021, but Subway remained a family owned business until now. It must have been a wrenching decision to give up ownership of the chain. But however they may feel about it, the families seem to have negotiated the best possibIe deal for the chain. Every business owner looking to sell can learn from their approach.
Our story begins back in February, when the families hired JPMorgan Chase as an adviser to explore a sale. At the time, the families reportedIy wanted $10 billion for one of the world’s two largest fast-food chains.
But it’s been a bad year for acquisitions so far, and some observers noted that the chain has been losing ground to newer rivaIs such as Firehouse Subs in recent years. With its shares of U.S. sandwich sales down from 34 percent in 2017 to 23 percent today, some questioned whether Subway was really worth $10 billion.
My Neighbors Had a House Fire, So We Took Them in — What They Discovered in Our Home Shocked Me
When a fire forced their neighbors to seek refuge in their home, Violet stumbled upon a shocking secret hidden in the basement. The unexpected discovery not only tested her trust in her husband Jim but also challenged the very fabric of their seemingly perfect life.
Life with Jim was usually peaceful. We had settled into a comforting routine over the years, a rhythm that was uniquely ours. Our little house on Maple Street had always been a haven for us.
A couple sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels
Jim, with his gentle nature and constant optimism, balanced out my more cautious and pragmatic tendencies. We shared everything, from morning coffee rituals to late-night conversations about our dreams and fears. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours.
One late night, an acrid smell woke us both. “Do you smell that?” I asked, sitting up in bed.
Jim sniffed the air and frowned. “Yeah, something’s burning.”
We rushed to the window and saw flames licking the night sky from James and Eloise’s house next door. My heart raced. “Oh my God, Jim! It’s their house!”
A couple on their balcony watching a house on fire in their neighborhood | Source: Midjourney
We bolted outside and saw James and Eloise standing on the lawn in their pajamas, looking dazed and helpless. I grabbed a blanket from our porch and wrapped it around Eloise, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
“They said it was faulty wiring. There’s nothing left,” she managed to choke out between sobs.
I hugged her tightly. “But you’re alive. That’s the most important thing. Come on, you can stay with us for a while.”
A very shaken and teary-eyed woman | Source: Midjourney
Jim and I led them to our basement, which we had recently converted into a cozy guest area, complete with a comfortable sofa and a TV. It wasn’t much, but it was a safe place to land after such a traumatic event.
For the first few days, everything was calm. James and Eloise seemed to be adjusting, grateful for the temporary refuge. But then, one morning, James approached me in the kitchen, his voice barely above a whisper.
A man talking to a woman in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
“Violet, don’t say anything to Jim. But listen carefully,” he said, glancing around nervously. “He asked us not to open the door under the stairs because there was a huge mess. But we heard some sounds from there. Could you open it, please?”
My heart sank. What could be behind that door? I rushed downstairs, fumbling with the keys, my mind racing with possibilities. When I finally opened the door, the strong odor hit me like a punch. Inside, to my absolute horror, were five rabbits.
A couple of rabbits sitting together | Source: Unsplash
I felt a wave of dizziness and had to steady myself against the doorframe. “Jim!!!” I screamed, my voice tinged with panic.
Jim was at my side in an instant. “What’s wrong, Violet?”
I pointed to the rabbits, my breath coming in shallow gasps. “What is this? We agreed you wouldn’t keep rabbits in the house!”
Jim looked sheepish as he descended the stairs. “Violet, I… I can explain.”
“Explain?” I could feel my temper rising. “Two months ago, you promised to give them away because of my allergies and fear. Why are there five rabbits now?”
An angry woman | Source: Midjourney
Jim sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I couldn’t give them away. I found a place for them in the basement. I’ve been coming down here every day to feed them, clean up, and play with them. I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“A problem? I’m allergic, Jim! What if I had a reaction?” I was struggling to keep my voice steady, the betrayal stinging more than the potential health risk.
“I know, I know. I thought I had it under control. I’m sorry, Violet. I just didn’t want to give them up.”
A remorseful man | Source: Midjourney
James and Eloise stood at the top of the stairs, looking awkward and concerned. “We had no idea. We only heard noises and got worried,” James said apologetically.
Eloise stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension. “Maybe we can help find a solution.”
I looked at Jim, feeling a wave of anger and sorrow. How had we gotten to this point? The rabbits were a symptom of a bigger issue, one that I wasn’t sure how to fix. But at that moment, all I could do was focus on the immediate problem.
A woman looking at her husband | Source: Midjourney
The tension in the air was thick as we stood there in the basement, surrounded by those unexpected, unwanted rabbits. I was still catching my breath when I heard a knock at the door. It was Jules, our neighbor who had recently moved into the temporary house down the street. She must have heard the commotion.
“Hey, is everything alright here?” Jules asked, stepping inside cautiously. Behind her was her husband, Ethan, who looked equally concerned.
“We’ve got a bit of a situation,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Jim, do you want to explain?”
A woman talking to another woman | Source: Midjourney
Jim sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been keeping these rabbits down here. Violet has severe allergies and a phobia of rabbits, so it’s been a secret. But now…”
Jules’ eyes lit up with understanding. “Rabbits, huh? I love rabbits! We have a big yard and plenty of space. Why don’t we take them off your hands? Jim, you can come over anytime to visit and play with them.”
A smiling woman holding rabbits | Source: Pexels
My heart lifted a little at Jules’ offer. Jim looked relieved, his shoulders dropping as if a weight had been lifted. “Really? That would be amazing! Thank you so much, Jules. Ethan, you both are lifesavers!”
“No problem at all,” Ethan replied with a smile. “We’ll come back later today to pick them up.”
After Jules and Ethan left, I turned to Jim. “I appreciate their offer, but Jim, we need to talk about this.”
A woman looking at her husband’s reflection in the bathroom mirror | Source: Pexels
Jim nodded, his face serious. “I know, Violet. I should have told you. I just couldn’t bear to part with them. They mean a lot to me.”
“I get that,” I said softly. “But you have to understand how scared I was when I found them. I thought we agreed on this for my health.”
Jim reached out and took my hand. “I’m sorry, Violet. I really am. I promise I’ll do better.”
A close-up shot of a couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
That afternoon, Jules and Ethan returned with a large pet carrier. They gently gathered the rabbits, speaking softly to calm them down. I watched from a distance, my anxiety easing as the rabbits were carefully placed in the carrier.
“We’ll take good care of them,” Jules assured me with a smile. “And Jim, you’re welcome anytime.”
“Thanks again, Jules,” Jim said, giving them a grateful nod.
With the rabbits gone, the house felt lighter. That evening, as we settled on the couch, I looked at Jim and felt a surge of relief and lingering hurt.
A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
“Jim, this can’t happen again. We have to be honest with each other.”
He squeezed my hand. “I know. And I’m sorry, Violet. I never wanted to upset you.”
“I know,” I replied. “Let’s just make sure we talk about things from now on.”
A week later, Eloise and James received good news. Their insurance company had expedited their claim, and the reconstruction of their house was set to begin soon. They were relieved, and so were we.
A woman sitting near a box of clothes laughing while looking at her husband | Source: Pexels
“You guys have been incredible,” James said one morning as he and Eloise were packing up their things in the basement. “We can’t thank you enough for everything.”
Eloise nodded, her eyes misty. “We’ll never forget your kindness. And we’re just down the street if you ever need anything.”
“You’ve been great guests,” I said, hugging her. “We’re glad we could help. And please, stay in touch.”
Two women sharing a hug | Source: Midjourney
Once Eloise and James moved out, the house felt a bit emptier but also calmer. The whole rabbit situation had been a wake-up call for both Jim and me. We needed to prioritize communication and transparency in our relationship.
Days passed, and true to his word, Jim visited Jules and Ethan’s house regularly to see the rabbits. He’d come back with stories about their antics, his eyes shining with happiness. I was glad he still had that connection, and I felt more at ease knowing the rabbits were well cared for without putting my health at risk.
A man playing with rabbits | Source: Midjourney
One evening, Jim returned from Jules and Ethan’s with a thoughtful expression. “You know,” he said, sitting next to me, “they suggested we could get a different pet. One that wouldn’t trigger your allergies.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What did they have in mind?”
“Maybe a fish tank? Or a bird? Something we can both enjoy.”
I smiled at the idea. “I think that sounds lovely.”
A loving couple talking and enjoying their drinks at home | Source: Freepik
A few days later, we visited a pet store together. Jim’s excitement was infectious as we picked out a beautiful fish tank and a few colorful fish. Setting it up in our living room became a fun project for us, and I found myself enjoying the peaceful sight of the fish swimming gracefully.
“See, this is nice,” Jim said, wrapping an arm around me as we watched the fish. “Something we can both appreciate.”
“It really is,” I agreed, leaning into him. “I’m glad we found a solution.”
A fish tank in a house | Source: Midjourney
In the end, this whole experience taught us a lot about each other. Jim’s love for the rabbits was understandable, but keeping secrets wasn’t the way to handle it. And for me, learning to compromise and find solutions that worked for both of us was key.
Looking back, I realized how important it was to communicate and respect each other’s needs. Our home felt more harmonious now, with a new understanding between us. And while I was relieved to have my home back without the fear of an allergic reaction, I was even more grateful for the lesson we learned together.
A happy woman with her husband | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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