Chris Sorensen, Firehouse Subs Co-Founder, Dies at 65

Early Life and Career

Chris Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs, has passed away at the age of 65. Before his venture into the restaurant industry, Sorensen had a rich and varied career. He was a professional guitarist who played with famous bands such as Huey Lewis and the News, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Transition to Firefighting

Sorensen transitioned from music to firefighting, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert. He gained experience working 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, alongside his father.

Founding Firehouse Subs

In 1994, Chris, along with his younger brother Robin, co-founded Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville. With less than $100 in their accounts, they opened their first location. Surprisingly, their first order was not a sandwich but two hot dogs with many toppings, which caught the founders off guard.

The sandwich chain quickly became known for its steamed meats and cheeses on warm toasted rolls. Sorensen took pride in the design of each restaurant, which featured unique murals of local fire and police services.

Expansion and Legacy

In 2021, Firehouse Subs was sold to Restaurant Brands International for one billion dollars. This led to an expansion of the chain to over 1,200 locations. A notable feature of each restaurant is its mural depicting local heroes, including a notable mural at the San Marco Square location showing Sorensen with his brother.

Philanthropy

In 2005, Chris and Robin founded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to support first responders with essential equipment and training. The foundation has distributed over 118 million dollars in grants to 7,700 departments across the U.S. and Canada.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Firehouse Subs for further comments regarding Sorensen’s passing.