Firehouse Subs is a sandwich franchise that offers a variety of hearty, made-to-order subs and sandwiches, featuring high-quality meats and cheeses, providing a satisfying and flavorful dining experience.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
1206
+
5%
5%
Franchise fee
?
$20,000
Investment
?
$379,000 - $1,392,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$933,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Firehouse Subsis a well-known American restaurant chain established by brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen, who are former firefighters. Founded in 1994, the company has its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, which serves as the operational center for its numerous locations.
Shortly after its inception, Firehouse Subs began franchising, using the founders' unique firefighting background to create a distinctive brand in the fast-casual dining sector.
The chain is famous for its extensive variety of hot submarine sandwiches, which are the core of its menu. Additionally, the restaurant offers a range of salads, sides, and beverages to cater to diverse customer preferences. A standout feature of Firehouse Subs is its firefighting-themed decor, which honors the founders' background and the firefighting community as a whole.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Firehouse Subs franchise is
$379,000 - $1,392,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Firehouse Subs offers 3 types of franchises:
Type of Restaurant
Initial Investment Range
Traditional Restaurant
$378,650 to $794,600
End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurant with Drive Thru
$548,650 to $1,037,100
Freestanding Restaurant with drive-thru
$707,650 to $1,392,100
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Freestanding Firehouse Subs franchised restaurant with a drive-thru. For more information on the costs required to start a Firehouse Subs franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Background Check Fee
$0 – $500
Initial Franchise Fee
$20,000
Mural
$3,000 – $5,000
Training
$9,000 – $22,000
Market Introduction Fee
$5,000
Real Estate
–
Real Property Improvements
$0 – $20,000
Leasehold Improvements
$490,000 – $940,000
Deposits and Prepaid Expenses
$1,500 – $15,000
Signs
$13,000 – $43,000
Equipment and Fixtures
$142,700 – $230,000
Opening Inventory
$10,500 – $28,500
Business Licenses
$750 – $11,000
Insurance
$500 – $900
MIS System Fee
$1,200
Accounting and Professional Fees
$500 – $5,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital – 3 mo)
$10,000 – $45,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$707,650 – $1,392,100
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Firehouse Subs offers 3 types of franchises:
Type of Restaurant
Initial Investment Range
Traditional Restaurant
$378,650 to $794,600
End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurant with Drive Thru
$548,650 to $1,037,100
Freestanding Restaurant with drive-thru
$707,650 to $1,392,100
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Freestanding Firehouse Subs franchised restaurant with a drive-thru. For more information on the costs required to start a Firehouse Subs franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Background Check Fee
$0 – $500
Initial Franchise Fee
$20,000
Mural
$3,000 – $5,000
Training
$9,000 – $22,000
Market Introduction Fee
$5,000
Real Estate
–
Real Property Improvements
$0 – $20,000
Leasehold Improvements
$490,000 – $940,000
Deposits and Prepaid Expenses
$1,500 – $15,000
Signs
$13,000 – $43,000
Equipment and Fixtures
$142,700 – $230,000
Opening Inventory
$10,500 – $28,500
Business Licenses
$750 – $11,000
Insurance
$500 – $900
MIS System Fee
$1,200
Accounting and Professional Fees
$500 – $5,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital – 3 mo)
$10,000 – $45,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$707,650 – $1,392,100
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Firehouse Subs's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Firehouse Subs had 1248 total units in 2025, of which 1206 were franchised-owned and 42 company-owned.
Firehouse Subs provides an extensive training program to ensure franchisees have the skills and knowledge needed for effective operation. Here's an overview of their training process:
Before the restaurant opens, the franchisee, their Managing Owner, and an additional employee or owner participate in Firehouse Subs' initial training program.
The training program lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. The first 6-7 weeks are held at one of Firehouse Subs' Training Restaurants or another designated location. The final week of classroom training is conducted virtually through Fire Academy and online meetings.
The comprehensive training program includes:
Skills Training Modules: 144 hours of on-the-job training.
Administration Training: 96 hours of hands-on training.
Management Operations and Leadership Training: 96 hours of practical training.
Franchisee Classroom Sessions: 24 hours of virtual classroom sessions.
Territory Protection
You will not be granted an exclusive territory with Firehouse Subs. This means you may encounter competition from other franchisees, Firehouse Subs-owned outlets, or other distribution channels and competitive brands managed by Firehouse Subs.
If you operate a Concession Shop, you must submit all intended locations for Firehouse Subs' written approval in advance.
Generally, Firehouse Subs will not approve the operation of a Concession Shop within two miles of an established permanent Full Shop location. The Franchise Agreement authorizes you to manufacture and sell Approved Products at retail exclusively from the specific Shop location that Firehouse Subs has accepted.
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