FIREHOUSE SUBS FRANCHISEES OPEN FIRST RESTAURANT IN APPLETON, WISCONSIN

Flame

The Buzz: After series of COVID-related delays, Firehouse Subs to open next week in Appleton

APPLETON – The wait is almost over.

After a series of COVID-19 pandemic-related delays, Firehouse Subs is finally set to open at 3845 E. Calumet St. in Appleton on May 17. It shares a building with Kay Jewelers and a Spectrum Store, just east of State 441.

The Appleton area expected to get its first Firehouse restaurant in October, but supply and staffing shortages have continually pushed back the opening date, Kristin Sheikh told The Post-Crescent earlier this week. Sheikh runs Firehouse’s Appleton location alongside her husband, Seth, and mother-in-law, Sheila Brenwall.

“COVID really impacted a lot of things for us,” Sheikh said. “The architects had issues, we had issues getting supplies we needed. We still have issues getting supplies we need.”

At 2,500 square feet, the restaurant is on the smaller side. The maximum capacity is under 75, according to Sheikh.

Sheikh and her family also operate Firehouse Subs’ two Green Bay-area locations in Ashwaubenon and Suamico. Along with the Firehouse in Oshkosh, the hot sub chain has four restaurants across northeast Wisconsin.

Sheikh’s family plans to open two more Firehouse restaurants within the next few years: one in Bellevue and another in the Appleton area. The Bellevue location is expected to open in early 2023, Sheikh said. There’s no timetable for the second Appleton-area restaurant, as the family has yet to decide on a location.

Firehouse Subs in Appleton will be open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit firehousesubs.com.

Sheikh also mentioned that Appleton customers will be able to donate to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation fund by rounding up to the nearest dollar on each purchase. First responders and public safety organizations can apply to receive grants from the foundation for equipment they need. Visit firehousesubsfoundation.org for more information.

"It’s pretty important to us," Sheikh said. 

Click here to read the original article.