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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.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 5% system fund + $150/mo digital technology fee + $1,200/yr ($100/mo) MIS fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Revenue data for 1,137 franchised restaurants continuously operated for the full 2025 fiscal year. EBITDA and other P&L data for 704 of these restaurants that submitted profit and loss statements.
* Average gross revenue is a weighted average of three categories of franchised restaurants continuously operated for the full 2025 fiscal year: Counter Service (1,033 units, $973,809 AUV), Free Standing w/Drive Thru (35 units, $1,054,318 AUV), and End-Cap Strip Center w/Drive Thru (69 units, $1,123,608 AUV), totaling 1,137 units. Median gross revenue, revenue top quartile, and revenue bottom quartile are taken from the largest category, Counter Service Franchised Restaurants (1,033 units), as explicit overall median/quartiles across all categories were not provided. Average gross profit is calculated as the average annual sales ($1,035,521) for 704 restaurants minus the average cost of goods sold (30.5% of sales) from the 'Average EBITDA by Annual Sales Level' table. Average net profit is taken as the average EBITDA ($103,119) for 704 restaurants, as EBITDA is explicitly defined as sales minus all operating costs (Cost of Goods Sold, Labor Costs, Occupancy Costs, and Other Costs) in Note 8 of Item 19. Best guess profit range is set to the average EBITDA ($103,119) as specific ranges for expenses or profit margins were not provided beyond the stated average percentages.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $985,378
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Unlock financial performance dataFIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) Franchise Analysis
Imagine a fast-casual sandwich chain with over 1,200 franchise locations, steady growth projections, and Item 19 financial disclosures that paint a picture of solid top-line performance—yet the bottom line leaves analysts scratching their heads. Firehouse Subs' FDD reveals revenues that stack up against category leaders, but margins and profit metrics introduce a twist worth unpacking. Is this a volume play with hidden costs, or a sign of operational realities in a competitive QSR landscape?
Item 7 of the 2026 FDD outlines initial investments from $405,350 to $1,577,750, with a $20,000 franchise fee, 6% royalty, and 5% brand fund—plus $150/month digital tech and $100/month MIS fees. Item 19 discloses average gross revenue of $985,378 and median $938,981 across units, but EBITDA margin sits at 0%, with estimated profits fixed at exactly $103,119. This flat profit range suggests conservative modeling or expense pressures, especially amid 1,249 franchise locations (42 corporate) showing +4% growth from 1,206 in 2024.
System health metrics in Items 20 and 21 indicate stability: only 6 terminations and 15 non-renewals, 88 transfers, and 105 projected new units. SBA data shines with 598 loans averaging $319,137 and a low 5.3% default rate, signaling franchisee financing success since 1995. For investors eyeing fast-casual, Firehouse Subs offers scale and revenue potential under Restaurant Brands International, but that 0% margin demands scrutiny of costs in a delivery-heavy model—strong for aggressive operators, cautious for margin-focused buyers.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) Compares
Key Insights
- #3 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) Current | $405K – $1.6M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,249 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $276K – $771K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,650 |
| 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 | $529K – $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 (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+37 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchisees (2010 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
598 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
1,203 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
1,203 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) franchise ranges from $405,350 to $1,577,750. This includes a franchise fee of $20,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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