Firehouse Subs Franchise News

March 07, 2012 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Driven by a mission of hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety support, Firehouse Subs® surpassed company goals and industry averages, resulting in a record-breaking 2011. The brand grew by 79 restaurants, added 80 new franchisees and entered 13 new markets, including its first outside the continental United States. The average unit volume (AUV) grew from $604,000 to $657,000, an increase of 9.3 percent. Bolstered by a same-restaurant sales increase of 6.5 percent -- overall system wide sales grew by more than 20 percent. Firehouse Subs was also the first national chain to roll out the Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain in all restaurants.
Reaching 57 million people through 110 donations, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation expanded its ability to support a larger audience from municipal and volunteer fire departments, police departments, and emergency medical services to volunteer organizations, like the American Red Cross, and public school systems...

Fast Casual Restaurant Brings The Heat With Dynamic Marketing Department.
February 06, 2012 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Firehouse Subs announces the promotions of key marketing team members, as well as additional talent following comparable sales increases since late 2009, with much credit given to its marketing leadership. Doug Reifschneider has been named vice president of marketing services after previously serving as director since 2006. Kristen Majdanics, who has managed the company's brand marketing for the last four years, expands her responsibilities as director of brand marketing. Both were promoted in 2011. The company also promotes Brittany Johnson to regional marketing manager and Matt Olsen to digital marketing manager...

Fast-casual Restaurant Chain Reaches Milestone With $3.5+ Million In Life-saving Tools Donated To Local Heroes
January 10, 2012 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Ringing in the New Year, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation recently announced 28 approved grant requests, valued at $337,000. Since 2005, more than $3.5 million has been allocated to public safety entities in nearly 336 communities. The funding and resources from this round of grants will assist fire departments, police departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in 14 states across the country as well Puerto Rico.
With the main goal of providing first responders the proper equipment needed to save lives, items being donated include a police service dog, all terrain vehicles, thermal imaging cameras, fire extinguisher training systems, turnout gear, and extrication equipment which will assist departments in speeding up the extrication process in motor vehicle accidents...

December 13, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Available as a Limited Time Offer (LTO) menu item, Firehouse Subs® announces the addition of the King's Hawaiian® Pork & Slaw sandwich at all Firehouse Subs locations in the greater Jacksonville, Fla., Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., and Phoenix, Ariz. markets. The premium sandwich combines hardwood smoked pork and Sargento® pepper jack cheese, steamed to perfection, then topped with our homemade tangy Hawaiian coleslaw piled high on a King's Hawaiian® sweet sandwich bun.
This is the first time King's Hawaiian, the nation's leading and original producer of Hawaiian sweet bread and top-selling branded dinner rolls, has partnered with a restaurant chain.
"Both of our brands are known for the highest quality," said Robin Sorensen, who along with his brother Chris co-founded Firehouse Subs and came up with the idea for the pork and slaw...

November 03, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Firehouse Subs® announces the appointment of Vincent Burchianti from vice president of finance and technology to chief financial officer of Firehouse Subs. With more than 22 years of restaurant finance experience, Burchianti oversees finance, technology and human resources, and is charged with the company's long-term business plans, managing investor and banking relationships and protecting the company's core financial model.
Accomplishments during his 10-year tenure include developing the largest department at Firehouse Subs headquarters in order to administer the accounting and auditing functions for all divisions of the rapidly growing fast casual chain, including 29 company-owned and 450 franchise-owned restaurants...

Fast-casual Restaurant Chain Reaches Milestone With $3.1+ Million In Life-saving Tools Donated To Local Heroes
October 03, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Reaching a significant company milestone, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation recently announced a record 48 approved grant requests, valued at more than $550,000. Since 2005, more than $3.1 million has been allocated to public safety entities in nearly 275 communities. The funding and resources from this round of grants will assist fire departments, police departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in fifteen states across the country.With the main goal of providing first responders the proper equipment needed to save lives, items being donated include police cars, a rescue boat, turnout gear, extrication equipment and dozens of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which will allow departments to be prepared to provide life-saving assistance if a citizen goes into cardiac arrest...

Third Annual Conference Highlights Amazing Achievements from Record-Setting Year September 07, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, Firehouse Subsâ acknowledged system-wide leaders to an audience of more than 1,000 members of the Firehouse Subs community during the third annual "Family Reunion" in July 2011. In conjunction with well-known guest speakers, including entrepreneur and seasoned restaurateur Herman Cain, beneficial breakout sessions and a live concert by KC and the Sunshine Band, co-founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen and CEO Don Fox capped off a record year for the company with an awards presentation recognizing 10 area representatives, franchisees and general managers...

Jacksonville-Based Chain Expands Outside of Continental U.S. with 26 Locations in Puerto Rico August 22, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, Firehouse Subs announces plans for an expansion in Puerto Rico, in its first move outside the continental United States. With 441 locations, the restaurant chain plans to open 26 restaurants on the island in the next few years, with an ultimate goal of 50 to 60 locations. The chain is famous for piping hot subs with premium meats and cheeses piled high atop toasted sub rolls served "Fully Involved®" with fresh produce. The authentic firehouse setting is based on the founders' 200 years of firefighting experience.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring the Firehouse Subs brand to the island of Puerto Rico," said Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse Subs...

Coca-cola Freestyle® Proves Wise Business Decision For Restaurant Chain August 03, 2011 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, Fla. - Renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, Firehouse Subs® is becoming a beverage innovator with the launch of Coca-Cola Freestyle® fountains in all of its 437 restaurants. With Coca-Cola Freestyle, visitors to Firehouse Subs locations across the country will now have the ability to create their own personal and customized drinks at their fingertips.

In 2009, Firehouse Subs and Coca-Cola partnered on a Coca-Cola Freestyle test in Atlanta, with the goal of amplifying the customer experience and increasing drink revenue. Firehouse Subs was an important partner during the test and has since experienced double-digit sales and traffic increases...

Fast-casual Restaurant Chain Plans To Donate More Than $250,000 In Life-saving Equipment To Local Heroes June 28, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation announces the approval of 20 grant requests valued at more than $250,000. The funding and resources will assist fire departments, police departments and EMS in Firehouse Subs communities in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas and as far west as Nevada and Utah.

Two of the approved grant requests greatly assist first responders in Alabama. Throughout the month of May, Firehouse Subs allowed guests the opportunity to "round up" their bill to the nearest dollar in participating locations, benefiting first responders and survivors of the tornado devastation...

June 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Honoring lifesaving efforts through its "Hero" Cup series, Firehouse Subs unveils the newest story, featuring Francisco Tuttle on its 32 ounce beverage cup. Though previous cups typically honor single acts of bravery, the Tuttle cup highlights the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and the impact of pickle bucket sales and spare change donated by everyday "heroes." His dramatic tale joins five firefighters and a child currently depicted on Firehouse Subs "Hero" Cups.

Francisco Tuttle suffered a heart attack at his work in 2009 and the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, recipients of a $15,300 ZOLL Autopulse machine donated by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, rushed to Tuttle's aid...

Rapidly Growing Sandwich Chain Earns Top Honors from Fast Casual Magazine and Technomic JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Firehouse Subs®, founded by firemen and renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, announced today the signing of nine Area Representative development agreements totaling 429 restaurants to open over the next several years. The new agreements include development territories within Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

"The signing of these agreements is a true testament to the strength of the Firehouse Subs brand and its growing popularity," said Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse Subs. "As we continue to expand our footprint, we look forward to bringing customers the high-level of service and quality food that has become synonymous with Firehouse Subs...

First Restaurant to Open in 2010 and Others Over Next Several Years JACKSONVILLE, FL -(Marketwire) - Firehouse Subs®, founded by firemen and renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, announced today the signing of an Area Representative (AR) development agreement in Cincinnati, Ohio totaling 19 restaurants.

Charles Fryman purchased the territory and will open his initial Firehouse Subs first restaurant in 2010. Fryman has more than 15 years of restaurant experience with Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon and most recently oversaw 52 units of the chain as a Midwest regional manager. Fryman has also served as a district manager and general manager for Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon during his tenure.

"Firehouse Subs is tremendously excited to bring our first restaurants to Ohio and the Cincinnati metro area," said Greg Delks, director of franchise development for Firehouse of America, LLC...

Development on Track With 38 New Store Openings Last Year
JACKSONVILLE, FL--(Marketwire - January 12, 2010) - Firehouse Subs®, founded by firemen and renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, announced today the company experienced solid growth across the country in 2009 with the opening of 38 new restaurants.

Since January 2009, Firehouse Subs has opened restaurants in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Firehouse Subs also signed 26 new individual franchisee agreements last year.
These recent agreements support Firehouse Subs' steady growth from 30 restaurants in 2000 to 370 current locations. In 2010, the company has set goals to open more than 50 locations...

July 02, 2008 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firehouse Subs announced it's bringing the Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub back to its menu. The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub debuted in 2007 as Firehouse Subs' first Limited Time Offer (LTO), and it returns this year to turn up the summer heat from June 30 through September 28. The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub is the already popular Meatball Sub, with flavorful Italian meatballs, zesty marinara and rich Provolone cheese, all toasted to golden perfection. The secret to this delicious sub is Firehouse Subs' signature Captain Sorensen's Datil Pepper Hot Sauce and a dash of crushed red pepper. The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub was designed to maintain consumer interest by adding variety and providing an exciting menu choice to entice new guests...

Firefighter-themed Sub Chain Plans to Open Nearly 30 Locations from Miami-Dade to Key West

April 14, 2008 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firehouse Subs recently announced plans for expansion into Miami-Dade County and as far south as Key West. The introduction of the Firehouse Subs brand into these new markets is part of a deal that will bring 26 Firehouse Subs franchises to the area over the next five years.

"Firehouse Subs first entered the South Florida market in 2004," said Don Fox, COO of Firehouse of America, LLC, the company's franchising division. "We are very excited about our plans for Dade and Monroe counties, where we will build upon our successful operations in Broward and West Palm...