FIREHOUSE SUBS® MAKES INTERNATIONAL DEBUT WITH EXPANSION INTO CANADA
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – (September 3, 2015) Renowned for hearty, generous portions and piping hot subs, Firehouse Subs is heading north, announcing plans for expansion into Canada. With more than 900 locations across 43 states and Puerto Rico, the restaurant chain plans to open more than 90 locations in the Ontario market with future plans for further Canada expansion. The award-winning fast casual restaurant chain serves premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll with fresh, local produce and condiments. The authentic firehouse setting is based on the founders’ decades of firefighting experience. The first Firehouse Subs location will open in Oshawa, Ontario tentatively in October.
“Growing our brand has always been a priority and we are excited for the very first development outside of the United States to be with our neighbors to the north,” said Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Firehouse of America, LLC. “Firehouse Subs and our Canadian partners, ONFIRE Restaurants Inc., share an appreciation for great food, heartfelt service, and supporting the communities we serve. Together, we are looking forward to bringing exciting new flavors to Canada and growth opportunities for small business franchise owners."
ONFIRE Restaurants Inc. is a partnership between three Canada-based restaurant industry veterans. With more than 50 combined years of restaurant development and management experience, Alex Gerzon, Richard Jodoin, and George Heos are leaders in the Canadian restaurant industry.
"Our team researched many companies, but Firehouse Subs stood out for its exceptional product, dynamic culture and dedication to community service. We fell in love with the product after our first bite and know our fellow Canadians will do the same," said Alex Gerzon, ONFIRE Restaurants Inc. partner. “While people are very accustomed to sub-style sandwiches, they will find Firehouse Subs more compelling and differentiated than any brand out there. We are looking forward to bringing Firehouse Subs to Canada and expanding the brand across the country. Canadians have an appetite for bold, rich flavors, and we are confident Firehouse Subs will be a great addition to the country’s restaurant scene.”
From restaurant franchising and real estate to marketing and operations, the ONFIRE Restaurants Inc. team has lead successful expansion for some of Canada’s largest and most well known restaurant brands and has a reputation for formulating successful business strategies that align with Firehouse Subs’ practice of smart growth.
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About Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs is a fast casual restaurant chain with a passion for Hearty and Flavorful Food, Heartfelt Service and Public Safety. Founded by brothers and former firefighters Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, Firehouse Subs is a brand built on decades of fire and police service, steaming hot subs piled higher with the highest quality meats and cheeses and its commitment to saving lives through the creation of Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The founders are the real deal, the food is their creation and the company is built upon a family of franchise operators who share their same passion for serving others. In 2014, Firehouse Subs debuted nationwide a new low-calorie menu, Under 500 Calories. Firehouse Subs consistently ranks No. 1 among fast casual brands in the categories of food quality, friendly service and taste and flavor. In 2015, Firehouse Subs was ranked No. 1 consumer choice for welcoming and comfortable atmosphere by Technomic’s 2015 Chain Restaurant Consumers’ Choice Awards, and the brand produced the second-fastest growth in U.S. franchise units as ranked by Nation’s Restaurant News.
Quick Facts:
43 states, Puerto Rico and Canada
900+ restaurants
$14+ million donated to public safety organizations
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.