Firehouse Subs co-founder dies after building beloved American sandwich chain with brother

Chris Sorensen, a co-founder of the sandwich chain Firehouse Subs, has died at 65.

Before entering the restaurant industry, Sorensen was a professional guitarist, even sitting in with bands including Huey Lewis and the News, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner and Earth, Wind & Fire, according to his obituary.

He went on to become a firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert.

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After working at the Brevard County Fire Department and the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department, Chris spent 10 years as an engineer and EMT at the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, where his dad also worked at the time.

Chris Sorensen, middle, worked as a firefighter and EMT for years before entering the restaurant industry with his brother, Robin, to co-found the sandwich chain Firehouse Subs. (Firehouse Subs)

In 1994, Chris and his younger brother, Robin, co-founded Firehouse Subs, opening the first location in their hometown of Jacksonville.

They had less than $100 in their checking accounts at the time, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.

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Surprisingly, the first-ever order at the chain’s flagship location was not a sub, but two hot dogs with everything on them, which consisted of about 10 ingredients, Robin Sorensen told the Jacksonville Daily Record in 2020.

"We were so focused on the subs, we weren’t prepared for that order. Needless to say, it was a long ticket time," he said.

Firehouse Subs first opened in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994. (iStock)

Featuring steamed meats and cheeses piled high on warm toasted rolls, Firehouse sandwiches soon became a hit.

Chris took creative ownership of the interior of Firehouse Subs restaurants, outfitting each location with a custom mural depicting fire and police service unique to the restaurant’s town.

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A collector of historical artifacts, he ensured that the legacy of Firehouse Subs was preserved, serving as the chain's unofficial archivist.

After being sold in 2021 for one billion dollars to Restaurant Brands International, which also owns Burger King, the Firehouse Subs fleet grew to more than 1,200 locations.

Each Firehouse Subs restaurant features a mural. In this one at the chain's historic San Marco Square location, the mural depicts former Jacksonville firefighter Captain Rob Sorensen with his two sons, Chris, left, and Robin Sorensen, founders of the restaurant chain. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

In 2005, Chris and Robin Sorensen created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, with a mission of providing first-responders with life-saving equipment, tools and education.

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The organization has awarded more than 118 million dollars in grants to 7,700 departments in the U.S. and Canada, per the obituary.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Firehouse Subs for comment.

Sadie Chafe is a writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.