Firehouse Subs franchise
Firehouse Subs is a sandwich chain founded by former firefighters, known for hot, steamed subs piled with meat and cheese. Restaurants compete with other fast-casual sandwich shops for lunch and catering business. At the end of 2025 there were 1,291 Firehouse Subs locations in the US, 1,249 franchised and 42 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $405K–$876K
- Franchise fee
- $20,000
- Royalty
- 6%
- Locations, 2025
- 1,291+100 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1995
- Franchisor based in
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Time to open
- 200 to 390 days after site approval
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Firehouse of America, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Firehouse Subs franchise costs
Opening a traditional Firehouse Subs restaurant, excluding real estate costs an estimated $405,350 to $875,950. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Firehouse of America, LLC, 2026 filing, page 34
Firehouse Subs franchise fee
The franchise fee is $20,000, for a 10-year franchise agreement. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Firehouse of America, LLC, 2026 filing, page 24
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales per accounting period. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | Currently 5% of gross sales to the system fund (up to 5%). |
Source: Firehouse of America, LLC, 2026 filing, page 29
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Firehouse Subs publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it gives 2025 annual sales for franchised restaurants open all year, split by counter-service and drive-thru formats. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Firehouse of America, LLC, 2026 filing, page 73
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,170 (+21) | 39 | 26 |
| 2024 | 1,206 (+36) | 42 | 26 |
| 2025 | 1,249 (+43) | 42 | 30 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Firehouse of America, LLC, 2026 filing, page 81
How Firehouse Subs compares
Of the 46 fast food franchises on this site, Firehouse Subs is the 12th cheapest to open and the 22nd largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Firehouse Subs | Typical fast food |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $405K | $701K |
| Royalty | 6% | 5% |
| Closed or left per year | 2.3% | 2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +8.7% | +6.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 39 of 46 |
Typical is the median across the 46 brands in fast food franchises.
Other fast food franchises
Firehouse Subs franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Firehouse Subs?
200 to 390 days after site approval, according to Firehouse Subs's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Firehouse Subs help with financing?
No. Firehouse Subs does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Firehouse Subs franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Firehouse Subs grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Firehouse Subs can open nearby.
Is Firehouse Subs growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 182 franchised locations opened and 82 closed or left, a net change of +8.7%. About 2.3% of locations closed or left each year. That is in line with the 2% typical for fast food franchises.
How does Firehouse Subs compare with other fast food franchises?
Of the 46 fast food franchises here, Firehouse Subs is the 12th cheapest to open (low end $405K against a $701K median) and the 22nd largest by number of locations. Its 6% royalty is above the 5% median.
Does Firehouse Subs say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it gives 2025 annual sales for franchised restaurants open all year, split by counter-service and drive-thru formats. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Firehouse Subs based?
Firehouse of America, LLC is based in Jacksonville, Florida and the brand has sold franchises since 1995.