Firehouse Subs Menu Prices

Sandwiches are practically staple meals in the US. This explains the large number of sandwich shops and chains in the country. Firehouse Subs, however, tends to set itself apart from the competition since it’s not a fast food chain. It’s a fast casual chain that specializes in sandwiches and is very civic-oriented.

There’s honestly so much to learn about this brand as it has a rather unique concept and lots of commitments. To know more about what Firehouse Subs do, continue reading this quick guide.

As its name suggests, Firehouse Subs is a restaurant chain that specializes in subs or sandwiches. However, it’s not in the fast food category like most sandwich chains are. It’s actually a fast casual restaurant chain that offers premium ingredients, local recipes, and hot subs - stuff you won’t normally get from a fast food chain. They also have table service which differentiates them from other sub chains.

Also, as the name suggests, Firehouse Subs has a specific theme. Founded by firefighters, they elected to use the idea of a firehouse. They used donated memorabilia and gear and put in fire department-inspired elements into their space. They also have a mural wall in each restaurant that showcases elements of the local fire and law enforcement departments. These make every store unique as no two locations have the exact same mural design.

The theme, of course, is also carried out to the menu. Their specialty sandwiches also follow the firehouse concept with names like Hook & Ladder, Engineer, and Firehouse Hero. Their kids’ meals are adorably firehouse-themed, too, as instead of toys, they come with a kid-sized fire hat.

One thing to know about Firehouse Subs is that they’re an award-winning company. For years, they are Technomic's Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards’ top choice in various categories. Restaurant Business also hailed them as the No. 1 Fast-Casual Chain, No. 1 Favorite Sandwich Chain, and No. 4 Favorite Chain in the US for 2019.

But they’re not just out to feed the people. Firehouse Subs have also been recognized by several award-giving bodies for their active participation in the communities they’re in. As mentioned above, they are very civic-minded as their choice of interior design can also suggest. They make sure to give back to the communities they are in in various ways.

Firehouse Subs now have more than 1100 stores in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Quick History

As a firehouse-themed restaurant, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Firehouse Subs is created and established by actual firemen. Brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen founded the chain in 1997. They came from a line of firemen and police officers so, for them, it felt like they were meant to create something along the lines of Firehouse Subs.

The first Firehouse Subs location was opened in Jacksonville, Florida which is where the company is still headquartered today. Within a year, they started franchising their business but the founders pulled back on the idea right away. They decided to buy the franchised locations back and operate company-owned stores only.

In 2000, they explored the idea of franchising once again with the help of consultants. They set up financing for potential franchisees and the brand grew exponentially. From 10 stores, they were able to open an additional 40 stores by 2002. The following year, the number doubled to 100. In 2011, they started expanding overseas.

The company calls their growth a ‘controlled burn’. It’s not too fast but it’s also not that slow. The pace is just right so they can maintain a good amount of control over their brand.

What Sets Firehouse Subs Apart

Aside from its concept, there are a few things that make Firehouse Subs stand out from the crowd. Here are a few of the most notable examples:

Table service

With its fast casual concept, diners can expect some kind of table service at Firehouse Subs. While orders need to be placed in the counter, the staff will bring the food to diners when they’re ready. There’s no more need to get up and take it from the claim counter. This makes dining in a bit more comfortable for many customers.

This is possibly the most striking difference that Firehouse Subs offer to the public. Most sub sandwich chains are of the fast food variety so they require self-service. This chain brings a bit more to the table quite literally.

Community commitment

Every purchase at Firehouse Subs allows you to contribute to the good deeds that the company is making. Every year, they commit a certain amount of their proceeds to their Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation which is created to provide support of various capacities to first responders.

In 2021, they are committed to donating 0.12% of purchases with a minimum of $1 million. Around the same amount was committed in the previous years.

Firehouse Subs is also known for providing food to frontline workers and first responders whenever there’s a calamity. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the chain is among the many restaurants that provided food to hometown heroes. They donated lunch to hospitals, local organizations, and fire departments.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

A lot of restaurant chains have their own partner charities and non-profit organizations but not all of them can compare to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The idea behind this charitable institution is embedded in the ethos of the sub sandwich chain, so their name and concept are not just for show.

Founded in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, Firehouse Subs decided to carry out continuous support to first responders and public safety organizations. After the said catastrophic event, founders Robin and Chris Sorensen travelled to Mississippi to provide food to survivors and first responders.

There, they realized that these heroes needed a lot more support for the magnificent deeds they’re doing. The brothers figured that making great sub sandwiches and giving them out in times of need are not enough. They had to do more.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was then created with the goal of impacting the lives and boosting the lifesaving capabilities of first respondents. The idea is, if they’re better equipped in saving lives, the better they can be at their jobs.

So the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation set out to raise funds to provide lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools, assist during disasters, and offer scholarship programs to those who wish to pursue public safety education.

As of writing, the foundation has already more than $57 million in equipment, training, and support to first responders in 49 states and Puerto Rico.

Food quality

There are tons of sub sandwich chains all over the country but Firehouse Subs tend to have a very good quality that satisfies its customers thoroughly. While Firehouse Subs prices are a bit higher than many of its competitors, the caliber of its food makes it worth every penny.

Why is this the case? It can be attributed to the founder’s meticulous product development process. They make sure to source their ingredients from the best places. For example, their beef brisket is from Texas, their pickles are from New York’s famous Katz’s Deli, and their bread is from a French bakery all the way from Atlanta.

Many are big fans of the chain and some believe that most folks who have tried it end up praising its food one way or another. Of course, there are misses from time to time but many will agree that despite being pricier, it is a cut above the rest. The same can’t be said for other popular sub sandwich chains.

Ahead of the curve

It may not have been intentional but the quick response of Firehouse Subs in the changes they have readily recognized and adapted to in the previous years allowed them to ensure continuous growth. While many fast casual restaurants took a major hit from the pandemic, the quick reaction of Firehouse Subs from the changes that they started noticing in 2018 prepared them for the worst.

A few years back, the company saw an increase of to-go orders and third-party delivery app orders. Their in-store dining numbers dwindled as well. This kind of trend is alarming for a lot of restaurants since many still rely on walk-ins for the majority of their sales. However, instead of intensifying a dine-in campaign, they streamlined their operations to better cater to off-site diners.

Many experts believed that this movedeased the company into the changes that stay-at-home mandates brought. They were already catering to more takeouts and deliveries so they were more than ready to operate solely on those arenas.

This is a very good sign for a business’ survival. As a result, the chain saw growth despite 2020 being one of the toughest years for the restaurant industry. They are even out to hire new team members in 2021 as a sign of their success.

Why Did Firehouse Subs Raise Their Prices?

Firehouse Subs prices and pricing strategy is the same with just about every restaurant chain in the US. They do not have fixed prices that prevail across the board as there are lots of factors that come into play when pricing products.

For example, bigger cities with denser populations and higher costs of living tend to have higher price points than the stores in smaller towns. If the real estate costs are high in a particular area, that can also be to blame for the higher prices implemented in the local stores.

As of late, however, the main culprits for the higher Firehouse Subs menu prices are the following:

Third-party food delivery app fees

Like with many other restaurant chains, the charges of third-party food delivery services can be blamed for the price hikes restaurants had to make in the recent months. These apps require a fixed amount or a commission for every sale made through their platform, something that was not factored in when creating the original prices of most restaurants’ menus.

The fees they require for using their platforms are nothing to scoff about. They’re pretty substantial that small players are complaining about them. However, with their convenience, it will also be a loss for many eateries to not use them.

While Firehouse Subs got their foot in on the third-party apps pretty early in the game, it doesn’t mean that they’re not affected by the charges. Many might notice that there’s a slight difference in pricing when ordering from the Firehouse Subs website and from a third-party delivery app.

Wage hikes

The restaurant industry is largely impacted by the increase in wages for minimum earners. This is why a lot of food service businesses choose to hike up their prices as well in order to make up for the additional costs they now have.

Marketing efforts

Firehouse Subs tend to run very aggressive marketing campaigns. These, of course, also cost money as they will need the tools and the mouthpieces to get their message out. As an additional expense, these are folded into the prices of their products as well.

Firehouse Subs Menu Prices vs. Industry Prices

Still on the subject of prices, it’s important to take a look at where Firehouse Subs prices are at in order to assess its price movement. It should be taken into account that this chain is in the fast casual category so it shouldn’t be expected that their prices are on the low end of the scale.

In fact, their prices have always been slightly higher than many of its competitors, especially since there’s not a lot of fast casual sub sandwich chains in the market. It’s biggest competitors are still the major players like Subway, Jimmy Johns, and Jersey Mike’s.

Many are still willing to shell out extra for their hot subs, however. Many agree that Firehouse Subs prices are pretty fair for the quality of their product. The variety of their offerings is also something some folks are willing to pay extra for.

Best Items on Firehouse Subs Menu

Ready to take a look at what Firehouse Subs have to offer? Here are the top picks of this sub sandwich chain’s fans:

Hook & Ladder

The Hook & Ladder is pretty much Firehouse Subs’ flagship menu item, their signature dish. This is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s also one of their most popular offerings. Their unique recipe may not exactly be groundbreaking but it’s hard to find anything similar elsewhere.

With Virginia honey ham, smoked turkey breast, and melted Monterey Jack as its key ingredients, it’s a combination of familiar and savory flavors that are very satisfying for most diners. Best enjoyed in the “Fully Involved®” way with mayo, lettuce, tomato, onions, kosher dill pickle, and deli mustard. As a hot specialty sub, it’s typically served hot but it can also be ordered as a cold sandwich.

Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket

Another popular pick among regular diners is the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket sub. As the name suggests, its key ingredients are beef brisket and cheddar cheese. The USDA Choice brisket is smoked for up to 16 hours then topped with melted cheddar, mayonnaise, and the classic Sweet Baby Ray’s® Barbecue Sauce.

This hot specialty sub packs a lot of flavor so it’s a hit amongst BBQ lovers. The meat is tender and generous so there’s really a lot to enjoy.

The only drawback is that it can be quite pricey for a sandwich. Some are still willing to keep enjoying it, however.

New York Steamer

Another crowd favorite is that New York Steamer with its classic composition. Featuring USDA Choice Corned beef brisket and pastrami, it’s topped with melted provolone with mayo, deli mustard, and Italian dressing. Those who are big fans of deli sandwiches may find their match with this hot sub pick.

Italian

For those who do not want to go wrong with their order, the Italian is a choice that’s worth considering. As a classic recipe, Firehouse Subs have practically perfected its crafting.

Made with pepperoni, Genoa Salami, Virginia honey ham, Italian seasoning and dressing, and melted provolone, it has a lot to offer. Firehouse Subs ups the ante with its Fully Involved serving, adding more flavor and kick to the mix.

Engineer

Engineers are essential team members in any firehouse so it makes perfect sense that the menu also has one. This sub sandwich is pretty subdued with its sauteed mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese, and smoked turkey breast, however.

Build Your Own Sub

Those who have very particular preferences for their subs can also opt to build their very own sandwiches at Firehouse Subs. They will offer a base meat for the sandwich and you can go from there.

Worst Items on Firehouse Subs Menu

The funny thing about the Firehouse Subs menu is that what most consider as the best items are also the very things that health experts deem as the worst in terms of nutrition content. The best selling Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket is a top offender with its 1510 calories and the beloved Italian comes next with its 1450 calories.

In terms of taste and quality, these, of course, are not the worst. Most menu items of Firehouse Subs are actually very tasty, particularly because the founders are more focused on the taste of their offerings instead of their nutritional value. So much so that one publication called them the anti-Subway because they do not position themselves to be a healthy brand.

This is quite refreshing at the time of its launch as most chains in the fast service segment are trying to be the healthiest option around. By focusing on taste instead, they promise to be the more indulgent option.

This doesn’t mean that Firehouse Subs didn’t try to be a better option for its diners, though. They did take steps to reduce their calorie count by offering dressing options that have lower calorie counts and the choice to go for less bread. They did not ramp up their vegetable content or switch up or reduce the amount of meat they use. This is why they were able to retain the quality and taste of their menu items while significantly improving the calorie count of their meals.

Cheapest Items on Firehouse Subs Menu

Despite being a sub sandwich chain, Firehouse Subs is not necessarily the cheapest place to grab a quick and easy bite. This is why many want to take a closer look at the Firehouse Subs menu prices to see which ones offer the best bang for the buck. Here are a few that might be a practical pick for you:

Chips

Adding a side of chips with a sub sandwich is a pretty common thing to do so they’re made quite affordable at Firehouse Subs.

Cookie

Chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies are also very affordable side options at this chain.

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread isn’t normally paired with sandwiches but in case you only want some budget-friendly soup, this can add more heft to it.

Soup

For something hearty and will warm you up nicely, a nice bowl of soup is also available at Firehouse Subs for cheap.

Small-sized Subs

For the sub sandwiches, the small sized options are also very affordable.

Firehouse Subs Hacks

It’s a given that Firehouse Subs menu prices aren’t the friendliest. So aside from choosing the cheapest items on the menu, here are a few other ways to stretch your dollar in this chain:

Firehouse Rewards

As Firehouse Subs intensified their online presence and campaigns in recent years, they also amplified their loyalty program. Their rewards program will let its members save their points for freebies, discounts, upgrades and other exciting perks. It will also offer better convenience when ordering. All of these would really up the ante of their service to regular customers.

Subscribe to their newsletter

As mentioned above, Firehouse Subs have a pretty aggressive marketing team. This is why you can also count on their subscriptions to offer you something special from time to time.

By signing up for their newsletter you’ll not only get the latest news from the brand but you can also get exclusive promos and offers. Most of the time, it comes in the form of a freebie, so that’s always a great deal.