Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Firehouse Subs started with two firefighter brothers and has grown to nearly 1,400 locations. Now, the brand looks to continue its growth with motivated franchisees.
Firehouse Subs is a fast-casual restaurant chain serving economically-priced hot submarine sandwiches in a unique fire-fighting atmosphere.
Founded by brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen, former firefighters, in 1994, Firehouse Subs has grown to include nearly 1,400 locations, competing with other casual, fast food and full service restaurants in the sandwich realm.
Mission: The Firehouse Subs mission is to offer and serve large-portion hot submarine style sandwiches in a unique fire-fighting atmosphere at an economical price under the Firehouse Subs trade name and business system.
Vision: Maintaining high and uniform standards of quality, cleanliness, appearance and service at all Firehouse Subs Restaurants, and protecting and enhancing the reputation of the Firehouse Subs System and the demand for its products and services, growing the franchise business.
Franchising with Firehouse Subs offers several key benefits that make it an attractive opportunity for prospective franchisees:
Firehouse Subs boasts locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada in addition to international franchising opportunities. Prospective franchisees are invited to get in touch with Firehouse Subs for more information.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Firehouse Subs franchise ranges from $379,650 to $1,396,100. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Background Check Fee | $0 | $500 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Mural | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Training (Travel and Living Expenses) | $7,000 | $26,000 |
| Market Introduction Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Real Property Improvements | $0 | $5,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $200,000 | $450,000 |
| Deposits and Prepaid Expenses | $1,500 | $16,500 |
| Signs | $7,000 | $16,000 |
| Equipment and Fixtures | $112,700 | $160,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $10,500 | $28,500 |
| Business Licenses | $750 | $11,000 |
| Insurance | $500 | $900 |
| MIS System Fee | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Accounting and Professional Fees | $500 | $5,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $10,000 | $45,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The standard initial franchise fee for a 10-year franchise agreement term is $20,000. If you sign a development agreement, you must pay a prepaid franchise fee equal to $10,000 multiplied by the number of restaurants you must develop. This prepaid fee is credited against the initial franchise fee for each restaurant developed under the development agreement. The initial franchise fee is fully earned when paid and is non-refundable.
Ongoing Fees: Firehouse Subs franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing fees, according to the 2025 FDD:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales/week |
| MIS System Fees | $1,200/year |
| Digital Technology Fees | $150/restaurant + 1% of digital sales/month |
| Delivery Guest Support Services Fee | $0.25 - $0.75/delivery order/month |
| System Fund Contribution | 5% of gross sales/week |
ROI Potential: According to the brand’s 2025 FDD, the 665 franchised outlets operating during FY 2024 reported the following average annual sales, expenses and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization):
Annual Sales | Annual Sales $1 Million - $1.2 Million (167) | Annual Sales $0.8 Million - $1 Million (201) | Annual Sales < $0.8 Million (161) | All Franchises (665) | |
| Annual Sales | $1,442,157 | $1,088,862 | $897,008 | $694,413 | $1,007,628 |
| Expenses | ($1,261,185) | ($977,224) | ($827,879) | ($674,256) | ($916,807) |
| EBITDA | $180,972 | $111,638 | $69,129 | $20,157 | $90,821 |
Firehouse Subs provides comprehensive training to its franchisees through a structured program designed to ensure successful center operations.
Initial Training: This initial phase encompasses six to seven weeks for the owner (and one additional employee or owner at owner’s expense.) The first five weeks of training are conducted at one of the franchisor's certified training Firehouse Subs restaurants. The final week of classroom training is conducted virtually utilizing the Firehouse Subs Academy and instructor-led training.
80 hours of on the job training are provided in administration, skills, management operation and leadership while 24 hours are provided as classroom sessions and departmental workshops, totaling 32 hours of classroom training and 240 hours of on-the-job training.
Ongoing Training: The franchisor may require the franchisee and managing owner to attend mandatory periodic refresher training courses at such times and locations that the franchisor designates, for which fees may be charged. The franchisee may also request additional guidance and assistance from the franchisor, who, in its sole discretion, may provide it and charge current per diem fees and charges.
Firehouse Subs offers comprehensive operational support to its franchisees, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance to run successful centers. This support encompasses various critical areas:
Site Approval: Firehouse Subs will approve or reject proposed sites you identify.
Construction Planning: Firehouse Subs will furnish franchisees with approved plans and specifications for constructing, equipping and furnishing a Firehouse Subs Restaurant.
System Standards/Supply Chain: Firehouse Subs will identify the required fixtures, furnishings, equipment, food and beverage products, ingredients, materials and supplies, along with the minimum standards and specifications that must be satisfied and the approved suppliers (which may include the franchisor or its affiliates).
Manuals: Firehouse Subs will loan the franchisee one copy of or license access to its manuals, which contain mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, operating procedures and rules ("System Standards"). The manual's contents may be provided solely electronically.
Initial Training: Provide the initial training program to franchisee, managing owner and one additional employee (at franchisee’s cost and expense).
Development Incentives: The franchisor offers Development Incentive Programs to encourage development, including the "2026 Development Incentive Program" and the "Veteran and First Responder Development Incentive Program.”
Firehouse Subs requires franchisees purchase, install and use an approved POS system from a vendor approved by the franchisor. The POS system must have a minimum of two POS units. Franchisee must also purchase, install and use an approved BOH system. The BOH system manages inventory, food cost, labor scheduling, cash management and reporting capabilities. Franchisees must also purchase a manager workstation computer, separate from the POS and BOH Systems, that meets the franchisor's standards.
Franchisees must use the mandated MIS System and pay an annual fee for its use and must also use the mandatory reporting and accounting system specified by the franchisor, with the franchisor having access to this information at all times through the computer system.
Franchisees must use provided digital platforms, ordering and customer communication technology.
The managing owner must have at least a 10% legal or beneficial ownership interest in the franchise or the right to receive 10% or more of the operating profits of the restaurant, complete the initial training program, devote full-time and best efforts to supervising the operation and must not engage in any other business that requires substantial management responsibility. The managing owner must also maintain a primary residence within a reasonable driving distance of the restaurant.
As a condition precedent to development, franchisees must apply for, meet and continuously maintain the franchisor’s then-current operational, financial, credit, legal and other criteria for developing and operating a new restaurant and must obtain the franchisor's acceptance for any site on which you propose to construct a restaurant.
Franchisee officers, directors and all holders of a legal or beneficial interest of 10% or more must jointly guarantee payment and performance obligations under the franchise and development agreements.
2026 Development Incentive Program: For new and existing franchisees, the 2026 Development Incentive Program offers a cash contribution of $75,000 (the "2026 DIP Contribution") for a restaurant opened in 2026. If two or more restaurants are opened in 2026, franchisees will receive an additional Bonus DIP Contribution of $25,000 for each restaurant opened.
Veteran and First Responder Development Incentive Program (VFR DIP): Offers qualified veteran franchisees a cash contribution for developing and opening new restaurants, provided they meet specific eligibility and compliance criteria. (If, before the end of the first year of the franchise agreement, the veteran's legal/beneficial ownership falls to 50% or less, or they no longer control the management and daily operations, the franchisee must repay the entire VFR DIP Contribution for that restaurant)
Franchisee Referral Program: Offers up to $10,000 total per referred candidate (eligibility requirements apply).
“I'd recommend Firehouse Subs to anyone looking to franchise — it's one big family. They really care. They focus on moving the needle forward. This is where you need to be.”
- Tyrice Spellman, Operator-To-Owner Franchisee in Florida
“Coming from a background with absolutely no restaurant experience to where I am today is only attributed to the relationships I built — with Firehouse Subs, other owners, and my crew.”
- Chad Fulkerson, U.S. Air Force Veteran Franchisee in Texas
“It’s been an amazing journey with Firehouse Subs. We’ve had great support from the beginning, and that’s helped us achieve many of our goals.”
- Brian and Vicky Eckel, Multi-Unit Franchisees in Texas
For more franchisee testimonials and success stories, visit the Firehouse Subs franchise development site.
47% of Americans are said to consume a sandwich on any given day, with the sandwich and sub restaurant market size set to eclipse $46 billion this year, leaving room for the potential growth of Firehouse Subs despite a crowded marketplace.
Firehouse Subs distinguishes itself in an increasingly crowded sphere, specializing in large-portion hot submarine-style sandwiches, touting distinguishing characteristics like its confidential food and beverage formulas and recipes as well as specialized menus.
In terms of competition, Firehouse Subs faces several notable players in the casual, fast food, full service and even retail storefronts selling sandwiches, including competitors like Subway, Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mike’s, Potbelly, Blimpie and Quizno’s. However, while these institutions offer sandwiches, Firehouse Subs’ unique focus on economically-priced meals in a firefighter setting help distinguish it despite a crowded marketplace.
Embarking on a franchise journey with Firehouse Subs involves a structured process designed to ensure mutual alignment and success. Here's a step-by-step outline from initial inquiry to final approval:
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