John Janick initially conceptualized the label while attending high school, but it wasn't until he enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville and teamed up with Less Than Jake drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello that Fueled By Ramen became a reality. In 1998, Fueled By Ramen released a self-titled EP from Jimmy Eat World, a five-song collection that proved a breakthrough for both the label and the Arizona-based band. With increased distribution demands and a rise in radio play, Fueled By Ramen set up its first real office space that same year.

In 2004, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz introduced Fueled By Ramen to fellow Chicago rock outfit The Academy Is… who released their acclaimed debut album Almost Here, the following year. Soon thereafter, Janick joined forces with Wentz to create Decaydance Records and released a series of albums from a disparate-sounding group of acts ranging from the alternative hip-hop of Gym Class Heroes to the indie-pop combo The Hush Sound. In September 2005, Decaydance and Fueled By Ramen released A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, the RIAA platinum-certified debut album from Las Vegas’ Panic at the Disco.

In 2007 the label opened an office in midtown Manhattan and that same year Paramore's album Riot! debuted in the Billboard Top 20, was certified gold and has recently gained platinum status. Panic at the Disco’s second album Pretty. Odd. enjoyed similar success, debuting at number #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, selling over 139,000 copies its first week and making it the fastest-selling album in the label’s history.

Cute Is What We Aim For, Paramore, Teen Idols, The Swellers, The Academy Is, VersaEmerge, Cobra Starship, The Cab, The Friday Night Boys , Lifetime, Ann Beretta, Panic! At The Disco, This Providence, Blueline Medic, Sublime With Rome