News

Firehouse Subs posts strong same-store sales, unit growth in 2011

March 6, 2012

Firehouse Subs surpassed its company goals and industry averages in 2011, resulting in a record-breaking year. The brand grew by 79 restaurants for a total for 495 locations, added 80 new franchisees and entered 13 new markets, including its first outside the continental United States.

Average unit volumes (AUV) grew from $604,000 to $657,000, an increase of 9.3 percent, bolstered by a same-restaurant sales increase of 6.5 percent. Overall system-wide sales grew by more than 20 percent.

Reaching 57 million people through 110 donations, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation expanded its ability to support a larger audience from municipal and volunteer fire departments, police departments, and emergency medical services to volunteer organizations, such as the American Red Cross, and public school systems. Raising $1.8 million in 2011, the Foundation donated items including a rescue boat, fire extinguisher training systems, automated external defibrillators, all-terrain vehicles, thermal imaging cameras and extrication tools.

"We had a clear mission in 2011 - to be better than we have ever been before and achieve record breaking results," said Don Fox, chief executive officer of Firehouse of America, LLC. "We continue to build upon the Firehouse Subs traditions that have served us so well, and to ensure those traditions are passed on to the thousands of franchisees, managers and team members who will join us over the years to come."

Firehouse Subs executives personally thanked more than 3,500 employees for their dedication through a tour of 37 high-energy "crew rallies" performed across the country. The two-hour show taught the company's history, reinforced the mission of hearty, flavorful food and heartfelt service and strengthened the commitment to support public safety through the Foundation.

Continuing the momentum in 2012, Firehouse Subs will begin testing television advertising in several markets. The commercials will feature the firefighting brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen, who are the voices of the brand's radio commercials.