FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT)
Firehouse Subs is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in large-portion hot submarine-style sandwiches served in a unique fire-fighting themed atmosphere and decor at economical prices. Franchisees operate under the standardized FIREHOUSE SUBS® system, including specific marks, menus, recipes, procedures, and trade dress. The business targets the general public for on-site consumption, carry-out, catering, and delivery services, competing with other quick-service and casual dining options.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 5% system fund + $150/mo digital technology fee + $1,200/yr MIS fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 665 franchised Firehouse Subs Restaurants that continuously operated for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2024 and submitted profit and loss statements.
* Average Gross Revenue ($1,007,628) and Median Gross Revenue ($965,687) are taken from the 'All' columns of the 'Average EBITDA by Annual Sales Level' table (Page 3) and 'Median EBITDA by Annual Sales Level' table (Page 4) respectively, based on a sample of 665 franchised restaurants. Revenue top/bottom quartiles are not provided for this aggregated sample. Average Gross Profit calculated as Average Annual Sales ($1,007,628) minus Average COGS ($309,032). Average Net Profit is set to Average EBITDA ($90,821) as per the definition provided in Note 8 (Page 8), where EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, calculated after operating costs. EBITDA Margin calculated as Average EBITDA ($90,821) divided by Average Annual Sales ($1,007,628). Best guess profit range uses the overall Median EBITDA ($83,117) from Page 4 as the low and overall Average EBITDA ($90,821) from Page 3 as the high.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- #3 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) Current | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
| CHICK-FIL-A License Program | $586K - $3.3M | N/A | 10.0% | 412 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+37 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise?
The total initial investment to open a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise ranges from $378,650 to $1,392,100. This includes a franchise fee of $20,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise is $1,007,628. The median revenue is $965,687.
How much profit can you make with a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise ranges from $83,117 to $90,821 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) has 1,248 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1995.
Can you get an SBA loan for a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchises. Historical data shows 598 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchisees, with an average loan amount of $319,137. The historical default rate is 5.3%.
Is FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) a good franchise to buy?
FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,248+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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