First-Time Firehouse Subs Franchisee Brings the Heat with First Location in Cobourg, Ontario

By: Firehouse Subs | 0 Shares 1,151 Reads

October 08, 2021 // Franchising.com // COBOURG, Ontario - Firehouse Subs announced the grand opening of its first location in Coburg, Ontario at 1111 Elgin Street West on Tuesday, September 28, under the ownership of first-time Franchisee Ansar Sikdar. This is the 45th Canadian location for the award-winning fast casual restaurant chain, which opened its first Ontario location in 2015. Firehouse Subs serves premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, served “Fully Involved®” with fresh produce and condiments.

As a former Ottawa resident, Sikdar was introduced to the brand by fellow local franchisee Omer Ozal, owner of the Ottawa Firehouse Subs. When Ozal opened his restaurant last summer, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sikdar became a frequent guest at his restaurant because he really enjoyed the food. After a few visits, they began to chat and Sikdar became more interested in opening his own restaurant, especially when his wife, Lailatul Leela, began working at Ozal’s restaurant. The husband and wife fell in love with the Firehouse Subs brand and are looking forward to opening their first restaurant in Cobourg. Leela plans to work in the restaurant as Sikdar’s right-hand woman and their daughter, Neera, will also assist when she isn’t busy with her studies at university.

“My family and I have become so passionate about this brand. I’ve learned a lot from my friend Omer and am excited to bring Firehouse Subs to the Cobourg community,” said Sikdar. “I have already begun to build a relationship with our local fire department and look forward to supporting them through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada. To be able to work beside my wife and provide heartfelt service and hearty, flavorful subs to our guests is a dream come true.”

The new Cobourg Firehouse Subs restaurant, located about 5 miles from Fleming College, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests can order takeout service at the counter inside, over the phone or online, as well as through third-party delivery apps.

Sikdar is dedicated to continuing Firehouse Subs’ commitment to helping public safety organizations through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada®, which has granted more than $1.5 million to hometown heroes throughout Ontario.

Founded by former firefighting brothers, the new restaurant décor reflects the founding family’s decades of fire and police service through photos and equipment donated by local fire departments. It boasts a custom, hand-painted mural by Chief Mural Artist Joe Puskas that features a Cobourg Fire Truck and firefighters at the beach with the Cobourg East Pierhead Lighthouse in the background. Since the opening of the first Firehouse Subs in 1994, Puskas and his team have painted more than 1,200 murals from his studio at Firehouse Subs Headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina’s wrath inspired Firehouse Subs founders, Chris and Robin Sorensen, to establish the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in the U.S. Ten years later, with the opening of the first Canadian restaurant in 2015, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada was born with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and education opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada has granted more than $1.5 million to hometown heroes in Ontario, along with more than $62.5 million in 49 of the United States and Puerto Rico through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Each restaurant recycles its pickle buckets, available to guests for a $3 donation to the Foundation. Donation canisters on register counters explain the nonprofit’s mission and collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. All funds raised benefit the Foundation.

SOURCE Firehouse Subs

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