The Top Five Reasons to Become a Firehouse Subs Franchisee

From its incredible subs piled high with only the best meats and cheeses to amazing growth potential in key existing and emerging development markets across the country, Firehouse Subs offers owners a unique ability to become an integral part of the communities it serves.

As fast casual dining continues to outperform other restaurant categories, the role it plays in the evolving American restaurant landscape is becoming increasingly more important. That’s why demand by shopping center owners for fast casual restaurants continues to thrive. And when it comes to top quality in the fast casual sandwich space, Firehouse Subs has positioned itself as the brand to beat.

Founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 by former fire fighters and brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, Firehouse Subs has been setting a new standard of excellence in the booming fast casual segment. With more than 1,000 units open across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, it’s clear that Firehouse Subs’ unique model is resonating with its customers and franchise owners alike.

There is no shortage of benefits to opening a Firehouse Subs franchise, however, these are the top five factors that existing owners continue to point to as the reasons why they decided to invest in the brand and put themselves on the path to small business ownership.

1.     Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina after Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to Mississippi to feed first responders and survivors. Today, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation’s mission is to provide life saving equipment, funding and educational opportunities for first responders in the communities in which franchisees operate. Since its inception, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has raised more than $25 million to benefit hometown heroes and in turn, provided one of the most unique connections between franchisees and their customers across the industry.

2.     Outstanding Corporate Support

As a whole, the franchise model provides added value for franchisees through the support of a corporate office. However, some brands live up to the benefit of the business model better than others. At the top of the list is Firehouse Subs. With more than 1,000 units across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, Firehouse Subs has developed the infrastructure, marketing, training and support needed to always put its franchisees and their business success first. Because of this, franchisees remain extremely passionate about the brand’s culture and rave about the support that the corporate office provides.

3.     Development Opportunities in Major Markets

While many brands oversaturate or sell out in key markets, Firehouse Subs’ disciplined approach to development has allowed it to continue to grow in new and existing cities across the country. Even with more than 1,000 units open, Firehouse Subs still provides prospective franchisees with huge potential for expansion.

“We’ve shown that the Firehouse Subs business model works in small communities and large cities across the country,” said Greg Delks, Firehouse Subs vice president of global and non-traditional franchise development. “With the ability to fit into several different types of traditional real estate designs and non-traditional locations such as airports and travel plazas, demand for Firehouse Subs and our product continues to climb.”

4.     Simple, Proven and Accessible Business Opportunity

Every facet of the Firehouse Subs business model is designed to set up franchisees for success. Every department in the Firehouse Subs corporate office goes above and beyond to ensure owners have access to best in class marketing, training and support. By becoming a Firehouse Subs franchisee, local owners gain access to a step-by-step system that has been proven to be successful in a variety of different communities across the country. It’s also incredibly accessible for business owners to get their restaurants off the ground with start-up costs for a single restaurant averaging approximately $350,000 depending on the real estate selected.

5.     Consistently Ranked #1 Across Market Categories

In a fast casual industry rife with competition, Firehouse Subs continues to outperform other concepts by turning patrons into loyal customers. Understanding that diners are looking for both quality food and speedy service, Firehouse Subs continues to adapt and change based on consumer demands and it’s why the brand is better equipped than others to keep customers walking in the front door. From a new Small Subs menu to award-winning limited time offers, Firehouse Subs continues to innovate in order to drive customer acquisition and loyalty. By doing so, the brand has garnered some of the top spots in the industry including:

·        #1 America’s Favorite Chain for “Top 5 Brands Overall” – Restaurant Business

·        #1 America’s Most Loved Fast Food Restaurant – Business Insider

·        #1 America’s Favorite Sandwich Chain – Market Force