World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Firehouse Subs Co-Founder Chris Sorensen Dies at 65
Chris Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs, has died at 65.
He and his younger brother, Robin, opened the first restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994.
Before starting the business, Sorensen worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in Florida.
Their experience in the fire service shaped the chain’s identity, including its restaurant murals honoring fire and police workers.
In 2005, the brothers created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to help first responders with equipment, tools and education.
The foundation has awarded more than $118 million in grants to 7,700 departments in the United States and Canada, according to Sorensen’s obituary.
The chain was sold to Restaurant Brands International in 2021 for $1 billion and has grown to more than 1,200 locations.
His work supporting first responders continues through the foundation, while the sources give no further details about what happens next.
Firehouse Subs co-founder Chris Sorensen has died at 65.
Sorensen and his younger brother, Robin, opened the first Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994.
Before entering the restaurant business, Sorensen worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
He helped design the chain’s restaurant interiors, including murals honoring fire and police service.
In 2005, the brothers created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to support first responders.
- Who
- Chris Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs, died at 65.
- What
- Sorensen died. He co-founded the sandwich chain with his younger brother, Robin.
- When
- The articles report his death in October 2026; they do not state the date of death.
- Where
- Not stated for his death. The first Firehouse Subs opened in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Why
- The cause of death is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sorensen worked as a professional guitarist, then as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
Chris and Robin Sorensen opened the first Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville, Florida.
The brothers created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Firehouse Subs was sold to Restaurant Brands International for one billion dollars.
- Age
- 65
- Co-founder
- Chris Sorensen
- Brother and co-founder
- Robin Sorensen
- First restaurant
- Jacksonville, Florida, 1994
- Foundation founded
- 2005
- Sale
- Restaurant Brands International, 2021, for one billion dollars
3 sources
What people are saying
We were so focused on the subs, we weren’t prepared for that order. Needless to say, it was a long ticket time,