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Florida Restaurants
Feeding Frenzy
A crop of fast-casual restaurants is finding fertile ground in Florida.
Firehouse Subs
 DOUSING APPETITES: Former firefighters Robin (left) and Chris Sorensen borrowed $26,000 from friends and family to start the business, which now has 235 restaurants. |
Started: 1994
Brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen followed their father's footsteps and joined the Jacksonville Fire Department. When they weren't fighting fires, they could often be found in the kitchen. Especially popular were their hot toasty sandwiches, piled high with cold cuts, cheese and fresh vegetables.
They borrowed $26,000 from friends and family, including $16,000 on Robin's mother-in-law's credit card, and in 1994 opened the first Firehouse Subs. Needing a salary, Chris stayed on with the fire department until 1998. Robin plunged into the business full time. "Back then, I was 26 years old living in an apartment with my wife and new baby and taking home $200 to $300 a week -- just enough to pay the bills and eat sandwiches," says Robin.
Within six months after their launch, the Sorensens had paid off their debt. Within 13 months, they opened two more locations. Today, Firehouse Subs has 235 restaurants in 11 states from Texas to Virginia, 35 of which are company-owned. Over the next two to three years, the Sorensens project a rollout of up to 1,100 more stores across the U.S.
The chain has never had to advertise to attract franchisees. Interest has spread by word of mouth, says Robin, who in one month alone entertained 600 potential leads.
