For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the most important obstacle to the ownership of franchise is not ambition, work morality or even to find the right brand – it is access to capital. Firehouse subs, establishing the Jacksonville-based sandwich chain two fire fighter brothers (and at #120 rank on 2025 franchise 500), is dealing with a new set of financial incests designed to reduce the entry cost for the franchise and accelerate nationwide growth for the franchise.
“This is all inspired by how we return to investment for our franchisees,” says Kelly Krumr, senior director of franchiseing at the Firehouse Subsam. “We wanted to do something that inspired the franchise to build. For a long time, people were coming into the system through acquisition and then not making anything new. It was promoting their hunger to build new restaurants.”
Connected: Keeping in mind the franchise ownership? Start now to find your personal list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
Incentive program
The brand has announced its 2026 Development Promotion Program, Which provides $ 75,000 cash to open a new restaurant and is $ 100,000 per space for those who are committed to opening two or more restaurants. The program is open to both new and existing franchisees, which gives experienced operators as well as the first time entrepreneurs to score firehouse more.
In addition, Firehouse Sabas is expanding its experienced and first respondent development incentives. Program Through 2026. Launched for the first time in 2024, the initiative provides cash up to $ 100,000 per restaurant for qualified franchise with military or first respondent background. The idea is to honor the brand’s service-centered roots, while it is easy for veterans and first respondents to enter franchising.
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Reducing obstacles
Firehouse Subscents Incentives are the most generous Quick service restaurant space. Company not only expects to attract new owners, but also fuel the multi-unit expansion by offering cashouts, equipment and staffing to offer cash directly to offset the initial costs.
The strategy reflects a comprehensive industry trend. As International franchise union‘S 2024 franchise survey Among the 8,200 franchise owners, 43% franchise Multi-units are operated by owners-a part that is expected to grow as operators pursuing capacity in many places and brands. The firehouse subsa is exploiting in the speed with the programs designed to support the franchise that wants to expand their portfolio.
Elliot Goldsmith operates 10 firehouse locations – under another development – in South Carolina. Although not an experienced or first respondent, he has been the owner of the firehouse for 23 years and has seen the effect that the pre-north-response policies have been on the overall system.
“This is a great program to help offset the initial cost,” says Goldsmith. “Everything is getting more expensive today. And the firehouse and restaurant brand removes a large barrier from helping international people to open these restaurants without taking too much loan.”
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Mission-operated brand
While many restaurant chains talk about purpose, Firehouse Sabas has made its mark around community service. Its Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has honored the first respondents and public safety organizations in the US and Canada over $ 100 million in equipment and resources throughout their lives.
This mission is central for its franchising strategy. By creating easier for veterans and first respondents for the first respondents, the brand is directly combining its heritage with its future development.
“The legends and the first respondents create great franchises – they prove to be leaders, prove to be players of the team, and they thrive under the process,” Crummer says. “Finally what is a franchise.”
Firehouse Subs also benefited from being a part of RBI, the global quick-service giants who own Burger King, Popes and Tim Hortmen. This backing provides access to world-class resources in operations, marketing and supply chains to the sandwich chain-as the primary advantage continues on scale.
“This is the correct recipe where there are three other brands of RBI who have been there,” Krumr said entrepreneur“We can take those learns and apply them, while who we are.”
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For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the most important obstacle to the ownership of franchise is not ambition, work morality or even to find the right brand – it is access to capital. Firehouse subs, establishing the Jacksonville-based sandwich chain two fire fighter brothers (and at #120 rank on 2025 franchise 500), is dealing with a new set of financial incests designed to reduce the entry cost for the franchise and accelerate nationwide growth for the franchise.
“This is all inspired by how we return to investment for our franchisees,” says Kelly Krumr, senior director of franchiseing at the Firehouse Subsam. “We wanted to do something that inspired the franchise to build. For a long time, people were coming into the system through acquisition and then not making anything new. It was promoting their hunger to build new restaurants.”
Connected: Keeping in mind the franchise ownership? Start now to find your personal list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
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