BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: MEET DERRICK AND DONISHIA YARDE

As Black History Month concludes, we are excited to feature incredible members of our Firehouse Subs® family and their notable accomplishments within and outside of restaurants.    

Both heavily involved in the community, Derrick Yarde serves as a pastor at a local church while Donishia Yarde is the founder and CEO of Integrity Care Inc., which provides foster care and residential group homes to two dozen boys in Polk County, Florida.  

The two opened their Auburndale, Florida Firehouse Subs® restaurant in June 2022, and employ some of the teen boys from their group homes in the restaurant, teaching them valuable life skills they’ll use in adulthood.  

Prior to that, the husband-wife duo gained food and beverage industry experience operating a food truck that served Carribean cuisine. “Serving food and bringing people together to share a meal has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember,” noted Derrick. 

As a former dispatcher for EMS and Fire at the Bartow Board of Commission Communication Center, Donishia is passionate about supporting the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation’s mission to provide lifesaving equipment to local heroes. “We always strive to give back to our community,” she added. “We’ll never do something without our hearts being fully invested.” 

In their free time, the Yardes love to ride motorcycles and spend quality time with their six children.