Firehouse Subs
Franchise FAQs

Here are a few of the FAQs we hear most often!

Over the years, we’ve received a lot of questions from potential franchisees about our franchise process, our place in the market, and what’s involved in being a franchise owner.

Don’t see your question listed here? We’re happy to help.
Give us a call and our franchising team will point you in the right direction.

How soon can I open? How long does the process take?

From your first inquiry to your grand opening, the process usually takes about six to 18 months. This depends on a number of factors, including site availability and training.

The initial single-unit franchise fee is $20,000. The average total cost for a traditional Firehouse Subs restaurant can be found in our FDD; it is important to note that your total cost may vary depending on which format you choose to open. Investors would need a minimum of $100,000 in liquidity to invest in order to qualify for financing for the investment.

Many of our franchisees are multi-unit owners! In order to become a multi-unit owner and obtain exclusive rights to your area, you’ll need to sign an Area Development Agreement and submit a nonrefundable fee.

That will likely fluctuate over time. It depends on your restaurant volume, the efficiency of individual team members, and your mix of part-time versus full-time staff. Our Field Operations team will work with you to determine the right staffing for your specific needs

We provide support with real estate selection, construction, marketing, operations and supply chain through the life of your business. Your contributions to our local and national marketing funds help support your personal growth through advertising and grand opening publicity.

You’ll receive ongoing training, regular chats with your field operations team, and periodic business counseling to make sure you’re on the right track.

The short answer is yes. We do require people operating our restaurants to live within a certain distance of their franchise locations, and we’ll let you know a little more about that during the interview and site selection process.

Submit application via the Apply Now link at the top or bottom of this page to start the application process. We encourage you to provide as much detail as possible to help make yourself stand out!

We will thoroughly review your application and if we think there is a good fit, a member of our team will reach out to schedule an introductory call.

Many of our franchise owners are new to the restaurant industry. Although prior restaurant experience will give you a natural advantage, anyone who is hardworking, driven, and able to follow our processes and procedures can be a successful Firehouse Subs franchisee.

Of course you can! In fact, we encourage you to source from local suppliers. Our only requirement is that we’ve approved them. If you’ve identified a vendor or supplier that you’d like to work with but they aren’t approved, they’re welcome to go through our approval process. If you ever have trouble sourcing products locally, we’ll work with you to find a suitable alternative

Where do we begin? Our commitment to public safety and local first responders speaks for itself. We couldn’t be prouder of the hearty, flavorful subs we serve. Firehouse Subs uses high quality ingredients, generous portions, and premium meats and cheeses to make unique subs that keep our guests coming back. Firehouse Subs has created a loyal guest base through not only our premium subs, but also a distinct and authentic feeling of community and heartfelt service.

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Become a Firehouse Subs franchise owner

See the difference our approach to franchising makes for yourself. Contact us today or fill out our online form to get started.