• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Franchise Chatter
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Affiliate Disclosures
  • Subscribers Hub
    • Login
    • New to Franchise Chatter? Start Here
    • America’s Most Lucrative Franchises
    • Franchises Ranked by Average Revenues
    • Franchises Ranked by Average Profits
    • Franchise Winners, Survivors and Losers Last Year
    • FDD Talk
    • Search by Name
  • Top Franchises
  • Franchise Earnings
  • Costs
  • Fees
  • Quiz
  • Search

FDD Talk 2016: The Firehouse Subs Franchise Opportunity (Financial Performance Analysis, Estimated Costs, and Other Important Stuff You Need to Know)

Published on June 21, 2016 by Franchise Chatter Leave a Comment
in FDD Talk: Food Franchises, Franchise Earnings, Sandwich Franchise, Sub Sandwich Franchise

Firehouse Subs Exterior Photo by gsbrown99



Learn Which Franchises Can Make You Rich

In this FDD Talk 2016 post, you’ll learn the following:

  • Section I – Background information on the Firehouse Subs franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates
  • Section II – Estimated initial investment for a Firehouse Subs franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2016 FDD
  • Section III – Presentation and analysis of Firehouse Subs’ financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2016 FDD, including information on the:
  • 2015, 2014, and 2013 weekly average and median unit volume for company-owned and franchised Firehouse Subs Restaurants that were open during the company’s fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013
  • 2015, 2014, and 2013 average food sales, discounts, employee meals, total revenue, food costs, paper costs, total cost of sales, gross profit, wages and benefits, health insurance, marketing expenses, telephone and utilities, professional fees, rent and occupancy expenses, other operating expenses, royalty, total operating expenses, and EBITDA from operations for Firehouse Subs Restaurants operated by the company’s affiliates

Section I – Background Information

Firehouse Subs Moves Into Canada, Boosts Advertising

Firehouse Subs, which is nearing 1,000 locations, has aggressive expansion plans that include doubling its locations, reaching beyond the U.S. border into Canada, and kick-starting the fast-casual sandwich chain’s advertising plan.

The company, founded by former firefighting brothers Chris and Robin Sorenson, has more than 960 locations in 44 states and Puerto Rico, as well as the chain’s first restaurant in Canada. Firehouse Subs opened in Oshawa, Ontario, located northeast of Toronto, in October 2015. Onfire Restaurants Inc., based in Toronto, has signed a development agreement that will bring as many as 90 locations to Ontario.


🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator


Firehouse Subs plans to open a second Canadian location by the end of 2016.

Chain Picks New Marketing Agency

Firehouse Subs, which is in its second year of national TV advertising, is going in a different direction this year, both in terms of angle and advertising agency.

The change replaces the firefighting founders with a comedic actor, which enables Firehouse Subs to be a little more self-promotional. Instead of the “Founded by Firemen” tagline, advertising will now use the line “The Hero of All Subs” as promotion focuses on the brand rather than any particular products.

As part of the change, the chain switched its agency of record from Zimmerman to March USA. Firehouse Subs had used Zimmerman since 2009.

The first national campaign did not produce the uptick in average unit volumes the chain was looking for. This time around, Firehouse is looking to pack a bigger punch. The campaign, which will also feature digital advertising, will also push for national brand awareness, which currently sits at less than 50 percent. Firehouse is looking to boost that number significantly.

America's Most Lucrative Franchises of the Year

Restaurants Feature Firefighting Decor

The Sorenson brothers opened their first Firehouse Subs restaurant in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida. They started franchising only a year later.

Firehouse Subs locations are decorated with memorabilia and artwork that highlight firefighting on the local level, along with a menu that features firefighting-inspired names, like the Hook & Ladder sub. That sandwich joins turkey breast, ham and melted Monterey Jack cheese, along with a pile of veggies.

The chain sells primarily hot subs, both regular and specialty sandwiches, on toasted buns. The only cold subs are tuna and Momma’s Chicken Salad. Salads are available, as are kids meals that come with red firefighter hats.

The firefighting atmosphere is shown in more than appearance and sandwiches. The chain’s Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which was started in 2005, allocates funding to thousands of public safety organizations, benefiting fire departments and other agencies, as well as the public.

Sandwich Chain No. 62 on Franchise 500

Firehouse Subs was No. 62 on Entrepreneur’s 2016 Franchise 500 list, one position down from 2015. With 174 units added in the three-year period that closed at the end of 2015, the chain has enjoyed unit growth of 19.3 percent in that time period. Ninety-nine stores were added in 2015. The chain ended 2015 with 928 restaurants in the U.S., 20 corporate locations, and one Canadian store.


🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator


Firehouse Subs was also No. 28 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises of the Year list and No. 18 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers, among other 2016 awards.

Section II – Estimated Costs

  • Please click here for detailed estimates of Firehouse Subs franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2016 FDD (updated).

Section III – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2016 FDD) and Analysis



To Access the Rest of This Article and Other Premium, Income-Enhancing Content, Subscribe Now or Log In.

Gain the Insider Information (and Actual Earnings Data) You Need to Make a Safe and Smart Franchise Investment. Click Here to Learn More.



Gain the Insider Information (and Actual Earnings Data) You Need to Make a Safe and Smart Franchise Investment - See more at: https://www.franchisechatter.com/register/#sthash.le7wKJKM.dpuf

🎯Find Good Franchises That Are Still AVAILABLE in Your Target Area (Free Tool)



🚀How to Find, Vet & FUND a Good Franchise. Watch Our Webinar Live or the Recording Later (Register Now – It's Free)



💰How Much Franchise Can You AFFORD? Use Our Free Financial Calculator



Franchises Ranked by Average Revenues and Profits



Franchise Winners and Losers Last Year

Tagged as: Firehouse Subs

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous post: FDD Talk 2016: The Jimmy John's Franchise Opportunity (Financial Performance Analysis, Estimated Costs, and Other Important Stuff You Need to Know)

Next post: FDD Talk 2016: The McAlister's Deli Franchise Opportunity (Financial Performance Analysis, Estimated Costs, and Other Important Stuff You Need to Know)

Primary Sidebar

⚠️Buying a Franchise on Your Own Can Be Overwhelming

✅ Get the guidance and support you need every step of the way (including funding 💵) from an experienced franchise broker at no cost to you.

✅ Fill out this form and a specialist from the Franchise Brokers Association will reach out to you.

🚀How to Find, Vet and FUND a Good Franchise (Webinar)

✅ Is Franchising a Path for You? – Jun. 2 (Fri.), 11 a.m. EST

✅ Essential Services – Great for Good Times and Bad – Jun. 6 (Tues.), 4 p.m. EST

✅ Register Now to Get Free Access to Recordings of Both Webinars

Register Now

⭐️Franchise Chatter is reader-supported. We may receive a commission for leads generated from our site.

As seen in:  New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and CNBC

Login

Remember Me
Register | Lost your Password?
Reminder: Your username and password are case-sensitive.

Need help? Email franchisechatterblog@gmail.com

👍”Your website and you have been instrumental in finding this franchise opportunity and I am overwhelmingly grateful.” (David F., subscriber)

🏆 Best Franchises by Industry

Best Franchises by Industry (All Lists)

Best Gym and Fitness Franchises

Best Pizza Franchises

Best Sandwich Franchises

Best Childcare Franchises

Best Ice Cream Franchises

Best Coffee Franchises

Best Hamburger Franchises

Best Salon and Beauty Franchises

Best Chicken Franchises

Best Smoothie and Juice Franchises

Best Maid Service Franchises

Best Mexican Restaurant Franchises

Best Massage Service Franchises

Best Tutoring Franchises

Best Auto Repair Franchises

Best Auto Oil Change Franchises

Best Asian Restaurant Franchises

Best Pet Franchises

Best Commercial Cleaning Franchises

Best Sports Bar Franchises

Best Baked Goods Franchises

Best Moving/Junk Removal Franchises

Best Mailbox Franchises

Best Apparel Retail Franchises

Best Senior Care Franchises

Best Restoration Franchises

Best Tech Franchises

Best Travel Agency Franchises

Best Trampoline Park Franchises

Best Tools Distribution Franchises

Best Property Management Franchises

Best Real Estate Franchises

Best Automotive Wheels and Tires Franchises

Best Weight Loss Franchises

Best Flooring Franchises

Best Eye Care Franchises

Best Physical Therapy Franchises

Best Acai Bowl Franchises

Best Poké Bowl Franchises

Best Donut Franchises

Best Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Franchises

Best Window Coverings Franchises

Best Plumbing Franchises

Best Home Inspection Franchises

Best Garage Franchises

Best Barbershop Franchises

Best Laundromat Franchises

Best Storage Unit Franchises

Best Car Wash Service Franchises

🚀 Daily FDD Talk Posts

TruBlue Total House Care Franchise

House Doctors Franchise

Rubbish Works Franchise

Mr. Rooter Franchise

Planet Smoothie Franchise

Soccer Stars Franchise

Express Employment Professionals Franchise

beem Light Sauna Franchise

The Lash Lounge Franchise

ARCpoint Labs Franchise

Hawaii Fluid Art Franchise

Snapology Franchise

Spherion Staffing Franchise

Aussie Pet Mobile Franchise

Perspire Sauna Studio Franchise

Code Ninjas Franchise

Merry Maids Franchise

Mighty Dog Roofing Franchise

Mister Sparky Franchise

City Wide Franchise

Maid Right Franchise

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise

Gatsby Glass Franchise

ISI Elite Training Franchise

Blue Moon Estate Sales Franchise

Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions Franchise

Window Hero Franchise

Building Kidz School Franchise

Mint Condition Franchise

Caribou Coffee Franchise

Closets by Design Franchise

Fundraising University Franchise

Mr. Appliance Franchise

Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change Franchise

Showhomes Franchise

Grand Welcome Franchise

Nutty Scientists Franchise

1-800 Water Damage Franchise

Precision Door Service Franchise

TeamLogic IT Franchise

Lifetime Green Coatings Franchise

Alloy Franchise

British Swim School Franchise

Wallaby Windows Franchise

United Water Restoration Group Franchise

Hallmark Homecare Franchise

Commercial Investors Group Franchise

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids Franchise

Techy Franchise

Franchise Chatter © 2023