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 | Firehouse SubsFounded by Firemen |
Business Type
FranchiseTotal Investment
$200,000 to $385,675Number of Units
156In Business Since
1994* For Current Info See:
Franchise Disclosure Document
Overview
When the Sorensen brothers opened the first Firehouse Subs® in
1994, it was all about a passion for great food and exceptional service, and
making that very first restaurant the best it could be.
Want to be part of a franchise system that’s setting the restaurant industry on fire? Then Firehouse Subs may be just the opportunity you’re looking for!
What does it take to become a franchisee with Firehouse Subs? It all starts with a dedication to excellence and high work ethic. As a franchisee, you must possess the desire and drive to deliver the superb quality, service, and cleanliness that Firehouse Subs has become known for. We look for team players who will work hand-in-hand with our Area Representatives and fellow franchisees to make Firehouse Subs the most preferred sub sandwich restaurant in their market, and who will strive day-in and day-out to execute the proven systems that are at the foundation of our success.
Want to be part of a franchise system that’s setting the restaurant industry on fire? Then Firehouse Subs may be just the opportunity you’re looking for!
What does it take to become a franchisee with Firehouse Subs? It all starts with a dedication to excellence and high work ethic. As a franchisee, you must possess the desire and drive to deliver the superb quality, service, and cleanliness that Firehouse Subs has become known for. We look for team players who will work hand-in-hand with our Area Representatives and fellow franchisees to make Firehouse Subs the most preferred sub sandwich restaurant in their market, and who will strive day-in and day-out to execute the proven systems that are at the foundation of our success.
Products & Services
The Product
Serve hearty subs with high quality meats and cheeses. It took two years of research to find the right products, and it was truly a family affair from the beginning. We utilized holidays as tasting parties to get input from our family and close friends.
The Heat
Serve hot subs without using a microwave. Using a steamer heats the meat and cheese, but also adds moisture, unlike a microwave. Steaming is what makes the meat and cheese flavors burst, and once we tasted it, we knew there was nothing else like it.
The Customers
Create an environment that focuses on customer service, and is family-oriented. Growing up in a family-owned business, it came natural.
The Theme
Find a theme that people can relate to, and that is authentic. Our mom's family has decades of service on the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (JFRD), and her relatives inspired our father to join the fire department.
Our dad retired in 2004 with 43 years of service as a Combat Captain, and our family has more than 200 years of public service as firefighters. It is a theme that is personal to us, but is appealing to people of all ages, and is embraced in every community.
Serve hearty subs with high quality meats and cheeses. It took two years of research to find the right products, and it was truly a family affair from the beginning. We utilized holidays as tasting parties to get input from our family and close friends.
The Heat
Serve hot subs without using a microwave. Using a steamer heats the meat and cheese, but also adds moisture, unlike a microwave. Steaming is what makes the meat and cheese flavors burst, and once we tasted it, we knew there was nothing else like it.
The Customers
Create an environment that focuses on customer service, and is family-oriented. Growing up in a family-owned business, it came natural.
The Theme
Find a theme that people can relate to, and that is authentic. Our mom's family has decades of service on the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (JFRD), and her relatives inspired our father to join the fire department.
Our dad retired in 2004 with 43 years of service as a Combat Captain, and our family has more than 200 years of public service as firefighters. It is a theme that is personal to us, but is appealing to people of all ages, and is embraced in every community.
Training & Support
Following approval, the franchise agreement
is executed. It is then your responsibility to locate a site for your
restaurant, and submit it to FOA for approval. Once the site is
approved, you will submit the lease for FOA’s approval. After the lease
is signed, you will begin a six week training program at the Area
Representative’s Training Restaurant.
Finally, you will attend a two-week certification program conducted at our training facility in Jacksonville. Our experienced training staff, led by our Director of Training, Susan Andrews, will ensure that you have developed the necessary skills to successfully operate your new restaurant. Franchise candidates who successfully complete this final program are officially certified and--if they meet all other conditions--may open a Firehouse Subs® restaurant.
Area Representative – The most leverage currently possible in the Firehouse system. In addition to owning and operating at least one restaurant, you are also empowered to assist in the recruitment of other franchisees – and share in the initial franchise fee and the royalties. Only a select few who meet stringent qualifications will be approved as Area Representatives.
You will receive marketing and advertising support (emphasizing a neighborhood-marketing methodology) through your Area Representative, our advertising agency (Erwin-Penland), and our corporate marketing staff. Led by your Area Representative, you and the other franchisees in the local market will work collaboratively to execute marketing programs at the market level (national programs may also be required by FOA from time to time). In addition, you’ll benefit from ongoing training, research and development of new products, regular dialogues with your AR, operations support and periodic business counseling.
Finally, you will attend a two-week certification program conducted at our training facility in Jacksonville. Our experienced training staff, led by our Director of Training, Susan Andrews, will ensure that you have developed the necessary skills to successfully operate your new restaurant. Franchise candidates who successfully complete this final program are officially certified and--if they meet all other conditions--may open a Firehouse Subs® restaurant.
Area Representative – The most leverage currently possible in the Firehouse system. In addition to owning and operating at least one restaurant, you are also empowered to assist in the recruitment of other franchisees – and share in the initial franchise fee and the royalties. Only a select few who meet stringent qualifications will be approved as Area Representatives.
You will receive marketing and advertising support (emphasizing a neighborhood-marketing methodology) through your Area Representative, our advertising agency (Erwin-Penland), and our corporate marketing staff. Led by your Area Representative, you and the other franchisees in the local market will work collaboratively to execute marketing programs at the market level (national programs may also be required by FOA from time to time). In addition, you’ll benefit from ongoing training, research and development of new products, regular dialogues with your AR, operations support and periodic business counseling.
Why Firehouse Subs?
We develop our markets using a two-tiered system of Area Representatives and
Franchisees. The Area Representative purchases the rights to service a Territory
(typically an entire television market) and owns and operates the first
"training" restaurant in that market. We conduct an in-depth study of each
market to determine the optimum number of restaurants to be developed, and this
number becomes part of the Area Representative Agreement (a development schedule
is also built into the agreement). After their restaurant is certified as a
Training Restaurant (typically 90 days after opening), the Area Representative
begins the process of identifying franchisee candidates who will develop the
balance of restaurants in the market. The Area Representative is responsible for
training the franchisee, and provides local support for all of the key areas of
the business (e.g., site selection, marketing, and on-going operations) The Area Representative is uniquely-qualified to provide on-the-ground support to franchisees (unlike our franchisees, we only consider experienced restaurant industry professionals for our Area Representatives). The typical AR candidate will possess multi-unit management skills, and have a diverse background in real estate, construction, marketing, restaurant administration, and profit center accountability. We also look for a dynamic personality; someone who can work well with others; provide leadership at the market level; and has experience working within a franchise system.
The Area Representative (AR) assists us in identifying qualified franchisees to own and operate the restaurants in the AR’s Territory (in fact, we will only enter into franchise agreements with candidates who have come to us through the Area Representative). In most cases, the Area Representative is seeking franchisee candidates who have the ability to develop multiple locations (we consider five restaurants to be optimum, though this will vary based upon variables such as geography, demographics, and the individual talent and resources of the franchisee candidate).
In contrast to our Area Representative candidates, you do not have to have restaurant industry experience to qualify for a franchise. We prefer, however, that the candidate has a solid foundation in business management. But the most important requirements are a great attitude and work ethic; a passion for food and serving people; a willingness to listen, learn and lead; and a desire to make their Firehouse Subs® Restaurant the very best it can be, each and every day.
Are You a Good Fit for Firehouse Subs?
The initial franchise fee is $20,000 for a
single unit franchise. The estimated initial investment required for a
single Restaurant ranges from $191,200 to $355,475.
Under the Area Development Agreement, the Development Fee is equal to $10,000 times the number of Restaurants to be developed. Then, we reduce the initial franchise fee for each Restaurant to be developed to $10,000. The estimated initial investment for an Area Development Agreement ranges from $211,200 to $555,475 to develop 2 to 20 Restaurants.
We are currently seeking passionate, energetic franchisee candidates for markets in the following states/markets:
In the near future, we will also be seeking Franchisees for:
Under the Area Development Agreement, the Development Fee is equal to $10,000 times the number of Restaurants to be developed. Then, we reduce the initial franchise fee for each Restaurant to be developed to $10,000. The estimated initial investment for an Area Development Agreement ranges from $211,200 to $555,475 to develop 2 to 20 Restaurants.
We are currently seeking passionate, energetic franchisee candidates for markets in the following states/markets:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana (Shreveport/Monroe)
- Mississippi
- Missouri (Springfield)
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma (Tulsa)
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas (Dallas/Ft. Worth/Houston/San Antonio)
- Virginia
- Arizona (Phoenix/Tucson)
- Nevada (Las Vegas/Reno)
In the near future, we will also be seeking Franchisees for:
- Colorado (Denver)
- Indiana (Indianapolis)
- Kansas (Kansas City)
- Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington)
- Missouri (Kansas City/St. Louis)
- New Mexico (Albuquerque)
- Ohio (Cincinnati/Columbus)
- Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia)
- Utah (Salt Lake City)
- Washington DC
