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Started in Mandarin, Firehouse Subs now a successful empire

Brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen wanted a business of their own. First, they tried other ideas from a Christmas Tree farm to rock 'n' roll. The brothers' Dad, Rob Sorensen, eventually told them to get "real jobs." He told them to become firefighters like he did.
Firehouse Subs (Photo: USA TODAY)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - “Where was the first Firehouse Subs restaurant located?” If you ask folks on our First Coast that question, you might hear answers like New York, Austin or Atlanta.

The correct answer? The sub sandwich empire that's now worth millions began right here, in Jacksonville, Florida. The first spot was in Mandarin.

Brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen wanted a business of their own. First, they tried other ideas from a Christmas Tree farm to rock ‘n' roll. The tree farm “went belly up,” as they say. And, although Chris was good enough on guitar to make guest appearances with Lynyrd Skynyrd, the brothers’ Dad, Rob Sorensen, eventually told them to get “real jobs.” He told them to become firefighters like he did.

Rob Sorensen was a Jacksonville firefighter for 43 years.

The brothers say they learned about good food and loyalty at their fire stations.

Still though, they had an itching to branch out. They scraped together loans and opened their first restaurant. Their first daily sales figure: $817. Now sales per year hit $700 million.

“As of today, we have 1128 restaurants,” Robin Sorensen said.

Over the franchises, more than 20,000 people work at Firehouse Subs restaurants.

The brothers say they are involved in everything to this day.

While First Coast News was shooting their story, the brothers did a “taste testing.” They sit in front of ample portions of turkey from a plant in South Dakota. The goal? Make sure the two batches of turkey made on two different days taste the same.

They have a lot invested in consistency.

“We’re going to buy ten million pounds of turkey in the next 11 months,” Robin Sorensen explains.

The brothers say one key to their success is steaming the meats. Microwaves are totally frowned upon.

Another source of pride? The Firehouse Subs Foundation.

To date, the foundation has donated $33 million to 3,000 police and fire departments, schools, and hospitals around the nation. That includes money for more than 600 AED’s on our First Coast and funding for the newest extrication equipment to use in traffic crashes.

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