JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA | TUNGARU PRESS | October 26, 2026
Chris Sorensen, the former firefighter who helped build Firehouse Subs into one of America's best-known sandwich restaurant chains, has died at the age of 65.
Sorensen died at his home near Jacksonville, Florida, on October 11, according to his obituary. His death was publicly reported on October 25.
Together with his younger brother, Robin Sorensen, he founded Firehouse Subs in 1994, transforming a small family business into a nationwide restaurant chain with more than 1,200 locations.
His life combined a passion for music, public service, entrepreneurship and preserving the history of the firefighting profession.
Firehouse Subs Pays Tribute to Its Co-Founder
Following news of his death, Firehouse Subs expressed sadness and extended condolences to Sorensen's family.
Mike Hancock, president of Firehouse Subs for North America, paid tribute to the company's co-founder.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chris Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs,” Hancock told Fox News Digital.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all who knew him.”
Sorensen's death marks the loss of one of the two brothers responsible for creating a restaurant brand closely associated with America's firefighting community.
From Professional Musician to Firefighter
Before entering the restaurant industry, Sorensen pursued a career in music.
An accomplished guitarist, he performed professionally and occasionally played alongside well-known bands, including Huey Lewis and the News, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, and Earth, Wind & Fire, according to his obituary.
He later followed in the footsteps of his father, Robert Sorensen, by becoming a firefighter.
Chris worked with the Brevard County Fire Department and the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department.
He subsequently spent 10 years serving as an engineer and emergency medical technician with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
His father also worked with the department during that period.
Those experiences would later become central to the identity of Firehouse Subs.
Two Brothers Build a Restaurant Business With Less Than $100
In 1994, Chris and his younger brother Robin decided to open a sandwich restaurant in their hometown of Jacksonville.
They founded Firehouse Subs, drawing inspiration from their family's firefighting background.
According to Nation's Restaurant News, the brothers had less than $100 in their checking accounts when they started the business.
Despite their limited financial resources, they were determined to establish a restaurant offering distinctive sandwiches and a welcoming atmosphere.
The first Firehouse Subs location opened in Jacksonville and introduced customers to sandwiches featuring steamed meats and melted cheeses served on warm, toasted bread.
The concept gradually gained popularity, helping the brothers expand beyond their original restaurant.
First Customer Ordered Hot Dogs Instead of Subs
One of the company's earliest memories involved an unexpected order.
Although the brothers had focused their preparations on making submarine sandwiches, their first customer ordered two hot dogs with all the toppings.
The order included approximately 10 ingredients, catching the new restaurant owners off guard.
Speaking to the Jacksonville Daily Record in 2020, Robin Sorensen recalled the experience.
“We were so focused on the subs, we weren't prepared for that order,” Robin said.
“Needless to say, it was a long ticket time.”
The story became part of the restaurant chain's early history, illustrating the challenges the brothers faced when opening their first business.
Preserving Firefighting History Through Restaurant Design
Chris Sorensen played an important role in shaping the appearance and identity of Firehouse Subs restaurants.
He took responsibility for much of the interior design, ensuring that the company's firefighting roots remained visible as the business expanded.
Restaurants featured customised murals depicting firefighters, police officers and emergency services personnel connected to their local communities.
Rather than using identical artwork everywhere, the murals reflected the history and character of each location.
Sorensen was also a collector of historical objects and memorabilia.
His interest in preserving the company's heritage led him to become its unofficial archivist, helping maintain records and artefacts connected to Firehouse Subs' development.
Firehouse Subs Becomes a Billion-Dollar Business
Over the following decades, Firehouse Subs expanded from a single Jacksonville restaurant into a major American sandwich chain.
The company's growth eventually attracted the attention of international restaurant operators.
In 2021, Firehouse Subs was sold for approximately $1 billion to Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King and several other restaurant brands.
The acquisition marked a significant milestone for the business founded by the Sorensen brothers nearly three decades earlier.
Firehouse Subs subsequently grew to more than 1,200 restaurant locations, according to the original reporting.
What began as a small family operation had become a nationally recognised brand.
A Legacy Beyond the Restaurant Industry
Sorensen's influence extended beyond the company's menu and commercial success.
His years as a firefighter helped establish the emergency services theme that became central to the Firehouse Subs brand.
The company also developed a reputation for supporting public safety initiatives through charitable activities.
Sorensen's interest in firefighting history and community service helped shape the values associated with the business.
His contributions included restaurant design, historical preservation and maintaining the company's connection to its origins.
Remembering Chris Sorensen
Chris Sorensen's life followed an unusual path, from professional guitarist to firefighter and eventually the co-founder of a major restaurant chain.
Alongside his brother Robin, he created a business that grew from one Jacksonville location into a nationwide operation.
His personal interests and professional experiences remained reflected in the restaurants he helped establish.
Sorensen leaves behind a business legacy built on family, entrepreneurship and a lasting connection to the firefighting community.
Original reporting: Sadie Chafe, Fox News Digital, October 25, 2026.
Additional sources referenced: Chris Sorensen's obituary, Nation's Restaurant News and Jacksonville Daily Record.
Adapted and rewritten for Tungaru Press. Direct quotations are attributed to the individuals identified in the original reporting.
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