Chris Sorensen, Co-Founder of Firehouse Subs, Dies at 65
Sorensen, a former firefighter, built the sandwich chain with his brother Robin, growing it to over 1,200 locations before its sale in 2021.
Chris Sorensen, a co-founder of the Firehouse Subs sandwich chain, has died at the age of 65. Before his career in the restaurant industry, Sorensen was a professional guitarist and a firefighter, following in his father's footsteps.
He served with the Brevard County Fire Department and the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department before spending a decade as an engineer and EMT with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. In 1994, Chris and his brother, Robin, established Firehouse Subs in their hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, with less than $100. The first location eventually grew into a chain with over 1,200 restaurants.
Chris Sorensen was responsible for the interior design of Firehouse Subs restaurants, commissioning custom murals for each location that depicted local fire and police services. He also acted as the chain's unofficial archivist, collecting historical artifacts.
In 2005, the Sorensen brothers founded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. This organization provides first responders with essential equipment, tools, and educational resources. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $118 million in grants to over 7,700 departments across the United States and Canada.
Restaurant Brands International acquired Firehouse Subs in 2021 for $1 billion. The company also owns brands such as Burger King.