Chris Sorensen, a co-founder of the popular sandwich chain Firehouse Subs, died at the age of 65. Sorensen, alongside his brother Robin, established the Jacksonville, Florida-based company in 1994. Before their venture into the culinary world, both brothers pursued careers as firefighters.
Sorensen's path included a stint as a professional guitarist, during which he reportedly sat in with notable bands such as Huey Lewis and the News, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, and Earth, Wind & Fire. He later transitioned to firefighting, following in the footsteps of his father. He served as an engineer and EMT with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department for 10 years.
With less than $100 in their accounts, Chris and Robin Sorensen opened their first Firehouse Subs location in their hometown. The chain's signature sandwiches, featuring steamed meats and cheeses on toasted rolls, quickly gained popularity. Chris Sorensen took creative control over the interior design of the restaurants, commissioning custom murals depicting local fire and police service for each location. He also served as the unofficial archivist for the company.
In 2005, the Sorensen brothers established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing first responders with essential equipment, tools, and educational resources. The foundation has since awarded over $118 million in grants to more than 7,700 departments across the United States and Canada.
Restaurant Brands International acquired Firehouse Subs in 2021 for $1 billion. At the time of the acquisition, the chain had grown to over 1,200 locations nationwide.