Can You Guess What These Popular Companies Were Called Before They Became Mainstream?

Change is a good thing and embracing change is even better. If you went on with life the way you did back when you were in high school, most of us would never make significant life decisions like getting married or having children. As you grow older, you must strive to be the best version of yourself and this mantra not only applies to our lives but to companies and brands as well.

Many companies go through periodical changes such as a change of logo, operational changes, a merger, or changing its name. These changes are made in order to allow the company to reinvent itself and to adapt to changes in the corporate environment and the industry in general.

1. Pete’s Super Submarines (Subway)

Imagine entering into a shop called ‘Pete’s Super Submarine’ and ordering a sandwich–soundspretty wild, doesn’t it? However, back in 1965, Subway was known as Pete’s Super Submarine. The franchise was started by Fred Deluca who borrowed $1k from his friend Peter to open his own sandwich shop. By the following year, the eatery was re-named to Pete’s Subway before finally becaming the Subway we have come to know and love in 1968.

Subway | Would you love Subway if its outlets looked like this today?

2. World Wrestling Federation (WWE)

This change came after the WWE had a fallout with the National Wrestling Alliance over the heavyweight championship and thus it became an entity of its own. After major commercial success, WWF became a household name but the company soon found itself emroiled in a lawsuit over a trademark issue with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) . This resulted in the wrestling franchise changing its name to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Cage Side Seats | They embraced the change and used the tagline ‘Get the F out’

3. Blue Ribbon Sports (Nike)

Nike is now one of the leading sports brands in the world of activewear but the company didn’t start off with the same name. In 1964, Phil Knight and Coach Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports while selling Japanese active footwear from the back of a car. Once their little business had taken off, the two partners decided to relaunch their company under the name of Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory.