Firehouse Subs Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Number of franchises

1206

Investment required

$379,000 - $1,392,000

Revenue (AUV)

$933,000

Firehouse Subs: Championing Community and Craft in Fast-Casual Dining

Firehouse Subs is 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.

This theme is more than just an aesthetic choice; it reflects the brand's deep commitment to community service. Through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, the company has donated millions to support local first responders and improve their life-saving capabilities since the foundation's creation.

Firehouse Subs sets itself apart from competitors through its unique theme, community involvement, and food preparation techniques. The sandwiches are known for being steamed, which enhances the flavors of the premium meats and cheeses used. This blend of high-quality food, distinctive thematic elements, and strong community service commitment solidifies the brand's identity and distinguishes it in the fast-casual dining industry.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest 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

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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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Franchise Disclosure Document

Training

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.