On the first day of the conference, Firehouse Subs co-founder Robin Sorensen greeted attendees and their families. The company hosted a welcome party for employees and franchisees June 27.

Between welcome parties, educational sessions and award ceremonies, members of the Firehouse system were able to walk several aisles of a vendor pavilion. Showcased at the pavilion were the 5-gallon pickle buckets sold at each location for $2.

Patrick Hutzel and Mike Rowan with Philadelphia Pre-Cooked Steak Co. showcase the Firehouse Subs cheesesteak beef. The company has supplied Firehouse Subs with its cheesesteak beef for more than three years.

Wanda Sorensen (left), mother of founders Chris and Robin Sorensen, poses with daughter Cecily Sorensen during the June 27 welcome picnic. Cecily also is the Firehouse Subs director of corporate communications.

Activities at the welcome picnic included a face painter for children.

The welcome picnic was held at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Attendees and their families gathered outside to enjoy food and drink, while others played games such as skeeball, pool and air hockey inside the conference room.

During the welcome picnic, executives each spent time in a dunk tank. Attendees paid to dunk the executive of their choice, with proceeds going to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Don Fox, CEO, tried to dunk area rep Tim Goss.

Attendees included (from left) Sha-Nia Smith, the wife of Russell Smith, GM of a Firehouse corporate location in Jacksonville, Fla., Mark Motley, a GM from Middleburg, Fla., and Ernest Howard, a GM also from Jacksonville.

Magician Dan Stapleton also entertained the crowd during the welcome picnic. Stapleton was entertaining Susie and Jim Sherman, franchisees from Mobile, Ala.