January 26, 2011
Robin Sorensen, cofounder of Firehouse Subs, has been named to the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association's Hall of Fame. He joins some of the Sunshine State's most prestigious restaurateurs and entrepreneurs who have made the list.
The award was recently presented to Sorensen in Jacksonville, Fla.
Sorensen was recognized for his influence, creativity, passion for serving others and entrepreneurial spirit. He personally visits Firehouse kitchens within the system on a weekly basis, and remains intimately involved in every decision made at the company. He began the company with no formal training.
There are now more than 400 Firehouse Subs restaurants and 1,500 more in the works.
Sorensen sits on the boards for the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville and the Baptist Health Foundation.
He also serves as chairman of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the life-saving capabilities of emergency service entities in need, by providing funding, resources and support. The organization was founded in 2005 by the Sorensen brothers, and has raised $3.2 million to date. Today, more than 175 fire departments, police departments and public safety entities around the country have been the recipients of donations, mainly life-saving equipment, from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Sorensen founded Firehouse along with his brother Chris more than 16 years ago.