Firehouse Subs to add suburban restaurants
Firehouse Subs plans to open dozens of new restaurants, including locations in Villa Park, Hoffman Estates, Bloomingdale and Lake Zurich.
Firehouse Subs, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a growing company with about 940 restaurants in 43 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. It offers a fast casual dining menu featuring hot and cold submarine sandwiches, salads and a new low-calorie menu, the company said. There are plans to open 75 Firehouse Subs restaurants throughout northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Restaurant industry veteran Sam Stanovich of Riverside is the company's new area representative. He has held leadership positions at Marriott International and the National Restaurant Association, the company said.
"Born and raised in Chicago and surrounded by family and lifelong friends, I am deeply invested in the Chicago community and am thrilled to join the Firehouse Subs family," Stanovich said. "I was drawn to the brand's spirit of hospitality, delicious and high-quality food and commitment to public safety through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation." Restaurants give back through the foundation, which provides funds, equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations.
Stanovich's responsibilities include selling Firehouse Subs franchises and providing marketing and operational support to franchisees, bringing an expected 1,100 new jobs to Chicagoland. Several locations have been opening in the area over the past few years, including in Vernon Hills, Wheaton, Mount Prospect and Naperville.
Brothers and former firefighters Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen started Firehouse Subs in 1994.
Each restaurant's decor features memorabilia honoring firefighters and police officers.
Each restaurant also has an original mural painted by the chain's artists.
In 2015, Firehouse Subs was ranked No. 1 consumer choice for welcoming and comfortable atmosphere by Technomic's 2015 Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards and the brand produced the second-fastest growth in U.S. franchise units as ranked by Nation's Restaurant News.