Firehouse Subs Co-Founder Chris Sorensen Passes Away at 65
Chris Sorensen, a co-founder of the sandwich chain Firehouse Subs, has died at the age of 65. Before venturing into the restaurant business, Sorensen had a career as a professional guitarist. He played with notable bands such as Huey Lewis and the News, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Following his musical career, Sorensen decided to become a firefighter, following the path of his father, Robert. He served at the Brevard County Fire Department and the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department. Sorensen spent a decade as an engineer and EMT at the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, where his father also worked.
In 1994, Chris and his younger brother, Robin, co-founded Firehouse Subs. They opened their first location in Jacksonville, Florida. At the time, they had less than $100 in their bank accounts, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Remarkably, the first order at their flagship location wasn’t a sub, but two hot dogs with a variety of toppings, as Robin Sorensen told the Jacksonville Daily Record in 2020. “We weren’t prepared for that order. Needless to say, it was a long ticket time,” he said.
Firehouse Subs quickly gained popularity with its signature subs featuring steamed meats and cheeses on warm toasted rolls. Chris took charge of the interior design of each Firehouse Subs restaurant, adding custom murals that reflected the fire and police service of the local community.
Chris Sorensen was also a collector of historical artifacts and served as the chain’s unofficial archivist, ensuring the legacy of Firehouse Subs was preserved. In 2021, the company was sold to Restaurant Brands International for one billion dollars. The chain expanded to more than 1,200 locations following the acquisition.
In 2005, Chris and Robin Sorensen established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to provide life-saving equipment, tools, and education to first-responders. Since its inception, the organization has awarded over 118 million dollars in grants to 7,700 departments across the U.S. and Canada.