Firehouse Subs

{{Infobox company

| name = Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc.

| trade_name = Firehouse Subs

| logo = Firehosue Subs Logo 2024.png

| logo_size = 230px

| image = Firehouse Subs 1.jpg

| image_caption = Firehouse Subs in Gahanna, Ohio

| type = Subsidiary

| genre = Fast casual restaurant

| foundation = {{Start date and age|1994|10|10}} in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

| founder = Robin Sorensen
Chris Sorensen

| key_people = Don Fox (CEO)

| industry = Restaurants Franchising

| products = Submarine sandwiches, hot subs

| hq_location = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

| locations = {{increase}} 1,210 {{small|(2022)}}

| area_served = {{nowrap|United States (including Puerto Rico)}}
Canada
Albania
Switzerland
Mexico
Middle East

| revenue = {{Collapsible list |title={{increase}} US$695 million (2019){{cite web |url=https://patch.com/new-hampshire/londonderry/firehouse-subs |title=Firehouse Subs Presents $8,239 To Manchester Fire Dept For Gear |date= 16 August 2021|website=Patch.com |access-date=}}|{{increase}} US$ 1.09 billion {{small|(2021; system-wide sales)}}}}

| net_income = {{increase}} US$ 2 million {{small|(2021)}}

| assets = US$ 1.10 billion {{small|(2021)}}

| num_employees = About 2,000

| parent = Restaurant Brands International (2021-present)

| website = {{URL|https://www.firehousesubs.com/|firehousesubs.com}}

| footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1618756/000161875622000018/qsr-20211231.htm#ie56950d96c5445a5b565c5ccf70724e1_67 |title=2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=February 23, 2022 |accessdate=September 8, 2022 | orig-date= |publisher=Restaurant Brands International |website= |page= |pages= |language=en |format= |url-status= |url-access= |via=SEC}}

}}

Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc., doing business as Firehouse Subs, is an American multinational fast casual restaurant chain based in Jacksonville, Florida, that specializes in submarine sandwiches. It was founded in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida by former firefighter brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen.{{cite web|title=Firehouse Subs Franchise Information|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/firehousesubs/317772|website=Entrepreneur }}{{cite web|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/find-out-our-story/press-room/|title=Firehouse Subs - News Room|website=www.firehousesubs.com|accessdate=February 27, 2017}}{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2025-02-19 |title=Firehouse Subs to launch in Australia {{!}} QSR Media Australia |url=https://qsrmedia.com.au/franchising/news/firehouse-subs-launch-in-australia |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=qsrmedia.com.au |language=en}} It is a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, which also owns the chains Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons.

Firehouse Subs has 1300 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Mexico, Albania, Canada, Middle East and soon the United Kingdom and Australia by 2025{{Cite web |title=Firehouse Subs® blazing a trail to Australia |url=https://www.rbi.com/English/news/news-details/2025/Firehouse-Subs-blazing-a-trail-to-Australia/default.aspx |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.rbi.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=How Two Firemen Created an Empire of Sub Shops|url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/11/firehouse-subs-shops/|access-date=2017-02-27|website=Fortune}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-22 |title=Firehouse Subs opens in Europe, will expand into Mexico |url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/jun/22/firehouse-subs-opens-in-europe-will-expand-into-mexico/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Jax Daily Record |language=en}}{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2023-06-23 |title=Firehouse Subs eyes EMEA, APAC for international expansion |url=https://qsrmedia.co.uk/international/news/firehouse-subs-eyes-emea-apac-international-expansion |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=QSR Media UK |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hodo |first=Genta |date=2024-10-25 |title=Firehouse Subs opening first restaurant in Albania {{!}} Albania Investments News {{!}} SeeNews |url=https://seenews.com/news/firehouse-subs-opening-first-restaurant-in-albania-1265563 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=seenews.com |language=en}} and in Brazil in 2026.{{Cite web|last=Gil|first=Pedro|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/radar-economico/a-nova-rede-de-fast-food-que-chega-ao-brasil-e-com-planos-ambiciosos|title=A nova rede de fast food que chega ao Brasil — e com planos ambiciosos|date=2025-01-09|accessdate=2025-01-14|website=Revista Veja|language=pt}}

History

File:A Firehouse Subs Wall.jpg

Brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen followed the same career path as their father Rob Sorensen, a 43-year veteran of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in Jacksonville, Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/find-out-our-story/|title=Firehouse Subs - Our Story {{!}} Firehouse Subs|website=www.firehousesubs.com |accessdate=2017-02-27}}

On October 10, 1994, the first Firehouse Subs restaurant opened in Jacksonville.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/18/firehouse-subs-founder-being-broke-was-the-best-thing-to-happen-to-our-company.html|title=From $100 to 1000 stores: The surprise success of Firehouse Subs|last=Elkins|first=Kathleen|date=2016-11-18|website=CNBC|access-date=2017-02-27}} Firehouse Subs first attempted franchising in 1995. Soon after, the founders decided to pull back on the idea, eventually buying back those franchised locations.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Toby |title=Firehouse Subs Eyes International Expansion - restaurant development + design |url=http://rddmag.com/perspectives/perspectives-peer-to-peer/832-firehouse-subs-eyes-international-expansion |accessdate=2017-02-27 |website=rddmag.com|date=17 July 2016 }} Instead, they chose to focus on operating company-owned stores only, especially in the Jacksonville area.

File:Firehouse Subs Catering Box.jpg

In 1998, Firehouse Subs surpassed 10 locations, and later that year opened the first location outside of Florida.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

In 2000, the founders decided to take a different approach, using consultants to plan franchise growth. They were able to set up financing for potential franchisees. The second wave of franchising began in 2001.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

In 2011, Firehouse Subs opened its first franchises in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, via local franchisee Caribbean Restaurants.{{Cite news|date=2011-08-21|title=Firehouse Subs spreads to Puerto Rico |work=www.fastcasual.com|url=https://www.fastcasual.com/news/firehouse-subs-spreads-to-puerto-rico/|access-date=2017-02-27}}

By 2012 the company reached 500 locations, ending the year with nearly 600. In July 2016, Firehouse Subs opened its 1,000th location.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/find-out-our-story/news/1-000-aeds-for-1-000-restaurants-firehouse-subs-celebrates-milestone-opening-with-1-million-donation-for-life-saving-initiative/|title=Firehouse Subs - 1,000 AEDS For 1,000 Restaurants: Firehouse Subs Celebrates Milestone Opening With $1 Million Donation For Life-Savings Initiative|website=www.firehousesubs.com |access-date=2017-02-27}}

In 2015, Firehouse Subs opened its first locations in Canada, with its first location opening in Oshawa, Ontario in October with franchisee OnFire Restaurant Group. Currently, the group operates 50 Canadian restaurants, with plans to open a total of 90 in Ontario alone.{{Cite news |publisher=Kostuch Media|date=2015-10-22|title=Firehouse Subs Opens First Canadian Location |work=Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine|url=https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/firehouse-subs-opens-first-canadian-location/|access-date=2017-02-27}} The chain also launched a loyalty program.{{Cite web|title=Firehouse Subs - Firehouse Rewards|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/firehouse-rewards/|access-date=2017-02-27|website=www.firehousesubs.com }}

In June 2017, Firehouse Subs opened its first airport location at Jacksonville International.{{cite web|url=http://flyjacksonville.com/jetstream/firehouse-subs-opens-at-jax-restaurants-first-airport-location/|title=Firehouse Subs Opens at JAX; Restaurant's First Airport Location :: Jet Stream|website=flyjacksonville.com|date=19 July 2017 }} In December 2017, the brand's second airport location opened at Orlando International.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wdbo.com/news/local/orlando-int-airport-debuts-new-floor-art-firehouse-subs/qMmoXXiZIp2AxL7VdJkJMK/|title=Orlando Int'l Airport debuts new floor art, Firehouse Subs|date=December 21, 2017|website=WDBO}} In April 2018, the chain opened its first on-campus location at Western New England University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/find-out-our-story/news/firehouse-subs-continues-non-traditional-growth-with-first-on-campus-college-location-at-western-new-england-university/#sthash.Nr4fInDi.dpbs|title=Firehouse Subs Continues Non-traditional Growth With First On-campus College Location At Western New England University - Firehouse Subs|website=www.firehousesubs.com |access-date=2018-07-09}} In 2020 the chain opened a location at Jacksonville's Baptist Medical Center.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/firehouse-subs-to-open-in-baptist-medical-center-downtown|title=Firehouse Subs to open in Baptist Medical Center Downtown | Jax Daily Record|date=15 January 2020}}

On November 15, 2021, Burger King parent Restaurant Brands International announced that it would acquire Firehouse Subs for $1 billion.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=2021-11-15 |title=Burger King Parent Restaurant Brands International Buys Firehouse Subs for $1 Billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/15/burger-king-parent-restaurant-brands-international-buys-firehouse-subs-for-1-billion.html |access-date=2021-11-16 |website=CNBC }} The acquisition was completed on December 15, 2021.{{cite press release|title=Restaurant Brands International Inc. Completes Acquisition of Firehouse Subs and Announces Increase in Borrowings Under Existing Term Loan A Facility|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/restaurant-brands-international-inc-completes-acquisition-of-firehouse-subs-and-announces-increase-in-borrowings-under-existing-term-loan-a-facility-301445924.html|publisher=Restaurant Brands International|via=PR Newswire|date=December 15, 2021}}

On June 22, 2023, Firehouse Subs opened its first location outside North America in Zurich, Switzerland.{{Cite web |last=umeshell |date=2023-06-22 |title=Restaurant Brands International opens Firehouse Subs outlet in Switzerland |url=https://www.verdictfoodservice.com/news/restaurant-brands-international-rbi-switzerland/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Verdict Food Service |language=en-US}}

Restaurant concept and food

Owing to the Sorensens' involvement in firefighting, the interior decor of Firehouse Subs locations is inspired by fire stations, and often includes firefighter equipment and memorabilia. Each location features a custom mural, hand drawn and painted at the company's headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. The murals reflect fire and police service unique to each restaurant's community or town. No two of the more than 1,200 murals painted are the same.{{Cite news|url=http://www.foodbeast.com/news/firehouse-mural/|title=Meet The Artist Responsible For EVERY Custom Mural Inside 1,200+ Firehouse Subs Restaurants|work=Foodbeast|access-date=2017-02-27}}

= Menu =

The menu,{{Cite web |date=2021-03-11 |title=Firehouse Subs Menu with Prices and Pictures [Updated March 13, 2025] |url=https://firehousesubsmenus.us/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=firehousesubsmenus.us |language=en}} which features hot specialty subs, salads, and other seasonal items, takes inspiration from the firehouse with names like Hook & Ladder, Engineer, and Firehouse Hero.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firehousesubs.com/our-food/|title=Firehouse Subs - Specialty Subs, Hot Subs, Cold Subs, Salads, Catering for lunch and dinner|website=www.firehousesubs.com |access-date=2017-02-27}} The subs are prepared with meats and cheeses, on toasted sub rolls, and served "Fully Involved" with vegetables and condiments. Chris and Robin remain in charge of the menu, and work alongside their director of product development Jay Miller, who joined the company in 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/future-firehouse-subs|title=The Future of Firehouse Subs|last=danny|date=2018-05-30|work=QSR magazine|access-date=2018-07-09 }}