Firehouse Subs (Firehouse of America, LLC) is a U.S.-based, fast casual restaurant chain founded in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida by former firefighter brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen.
To date, Firehouse Subs has opened more than 1,095 franchise restaurants across 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.
In 2005, Chris and Robin Sorensen created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Since its inception, Firehouse Subs and its customers have donated more than $29.5 million in 46 states, Puerto Rico and in Canada through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada.
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History
Early history
Brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen followed the same career path as their father, Captain Rob Sorensen, a 43-year veteran of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department in Jacksonville, Florida. After a few attempts at various business ventures they opened a restaurant, Firehouse Subs.
On October 10, 1994 the first Firehouse Subs restaurant opened in Jacksonville, Florida. The restaurant was successful and by 2001, the company became debt free.
Growth and success
Firehouse Subs practices smart growth, based on finding the right person at the right time in the right location. Since commencement more than 22 years ago, Firehouse Subs has opened more than 1,050 restaurants across 44 states and internationally in Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. Current plans for expansion in 2017 are focused in the Northeast and West Coast U.S., along with continued international expansion into Canada and Mexico.
Franchising
Firehouse Subs first attempted franchising in 1995. Soon after, the founders decided to pull back on the idea, eventually buying back those franchised locations in the coming years. Instead, they chose to focus on operating company-owned stores only, especially in the Jacksonville market putting franchising on the back burner.
In 1998, Firehouse Subs surpassed 10 restaurants, and later that year opened the first location outside of Florida.
By 2000 franchising became a topic of conversation once more. This time, the founders decided to take a different approach, using consultants to plan franchise growth. Due to the founders' frugality and business operations, they were able to set up financing for potential franchisees.
The second wave of franchising began in 2001.
By 2002, Firehouse Subs was opening its 50th restaurant.
A year later in 2003, Firehouse Subs hit another milestone, opening the 100th restaurant.
As the 2000s continued, so did Firehouse Subs' growth. By 2012 the company had opened its 500th restaurant, closing out the year with nearly 600 and in July 2016, Firehouse Subs opened its 1,000th restaurant.
International expansion
Chris and Robin Sorensen were approached by Caribbean Restaurants, LLC about expanding in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico and opened the first store in 2011. Currently, the company operates 12 restaurants in Puerto Rico.
In 2015 Firehouse Subs launched in Canada, opening the first restaurant in Oshawa, Ontario in October as a partnership with OnFire Restaurant Group. Currently, the group operates five Canadian restaurants, with plans to open a total of 90 in Ontario alone.
In January 2017, Firehouse Subs continued the international expansion opening the first restaurant in Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico, again using an international franchise partner, Latin America Subs Mexico S de R.L. de C.V.
Restaurant concept and food
Chris and Robin Sorensen turned to the firehouse for inspiration when it came time to design their first restaurant. It featured donated firefighter gear and memorabilia, and other elements reminiscent of a fire department. Each restaurant 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. None of the more than 1,000 murals painted are the same.
Menu
The menu, which features signature hot specialty subs, salads, and other seasonal items, takes inspiration from the firehouse with names like Hook & Ladder®, Engineer®, and Firehouse Hero®. The subs are prepared with generous portions of steam-heated meats and cheeses, piled on a toasted sub roll, and served "Fully Involved®" with fresh vegetables and condiments. Chris and Robin Sorensen remain in charge of the menu, as the company does not have an executive chef.
The number one selling sub remains the original Hook & Ladder®, served with smoked turkey breast, Virginia honey ham, and Monterey Jack cheese. Other favorites include the Firehouse Hero®, Engineer Sub®, Firehouse Meatball® and Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket(TM). Other seasonal items have appeared on the menu in limited or company-wide releases.
Unique to Firehouse Subs is Captain Sorensen's® Datil Pepper Hot Sauce, named in honor of the founding brothers' father, Rob Sorensen, a 43-year retired fire captain. The sauce has a spicy-sweet flavor from the datil pepper, a hot pepper similar to habaneros, but with a sweeter taste. Additionally, each restaurant offers an assortment of 50+ complimentary hot sauces.
Coca-Cola Freestyle
In 2012, Firehouse Subs became the first franchise chain to offer the touch-screen operated Coca-Cola Freestyle® Fountain in every restaurant and is the only brand on the planet to house a Freestyle Fountain in every restaurant location. The Freestyle offers 120+ sparkling and still beverage brands with 70+ regular and low-calorie options. Choices at Firehouse Subs restaurants include top selling non-carbonated fountain drinks Cherry Lime-Aid(TM), Cherry Lime-Aid(TM) Light, Sparkling Cherry Lime-Aid(TM), and Sparkling Cherry Lime-Aid(TM) Light; all exclusive original recipes by Firehouse Subs, served with fresh squeezed lime.
Firehouse Rewards
In 2015, the brand introduced its first digital loyalty rewards program, Firehouse Rewards, which allows guests to earn and redeem points for each visit through a smartphone app.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The company's funders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to Mississippi where they fed first responders as well as survivors; this experience led to their founding of the foundation. It provides funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations.
By 2-17, it has given more than $24 million. Local fu
Industry awards and recognition
Firehouse Subs is consistently recognized as a leader in the fast-casual segment. For the last three years, Firehouse Subs was ranked No. 1 by Technomic's Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards among fast casual brands in the categories of overall brand (2017), food quality (2016), service (2015) and atmosphere (2014). Forbes recognized Firehouse Subs in 2015 as a Best Franchise to Buy.
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See also
- List of submarine sandwich restaurants
References
External links
- Firehouse Subs website
- Firehouse Subs Franchise Information
- Firehouse Foundation website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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