JACKSONVILLE, Florida, October 26, 2026 â Chris Sorensen, the former firefighter who co-founded Firehouse Subs with his younger brother Robin and helped transform a Jacksonville sandwich shop into a billion-dollar restaurant chain, has died at age 65. His death marks the loss of an entrepreneur whose work extended beyond restaurants to supporting emergency responders across North America.
Sorensen died October 11 at his home in St. Johns County, Florida, surrounded by family, according to his obituary. He was five days away from his 66th birthday. His legacy includes a nationally recognized restaurant brand and a charitable foundation that has awarded more than $118 million to public safety organizations.
Chris Sorensen, a co-founder of the sandwich chain Firehouse Subs, has died at 65. https://t.co/FMq9m2WBoB
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) October 26, 2026
Chris Sorensen’s Cause of Death and Family Details
Chris Randall Sorensen was born October 16, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Robert and Wanda Sorensen. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Although his obituary identifies him as a cancer survivor, there is no confirmation that cancer contributed to his death.
He is survived by Kirsten Sorensen, his wife of 43 years, their children Eric Sorensen, Steffi Sorensen and Brittany Cooney, six grandchildren, his parents and siblings, including Firehouse Subs co-founder Robin.
Steffi is a former University of Florida basketball player and ESPN commentator.
From Professional Guitarist to Florida Firefighter
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Sorensen pursued a professional music career. A guitarist, he performed with acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Huey Lewis and the News, according to his obituary.
He later followed his father into firefighting, serving with the Brevard County Fire Department, Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue, and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
He spent approximately a decade as an engineer and emergency medical technician in Jacksonville, gaining experience that later shaped his restaurant concept.
How Firehouse Subs Became a $1 Billion Restaurant Chain
In 1994, Chris and Robin opened their first Firehouse Subs restaurant in Jacksonville, reportedly starting with less than $100 in their checking accounts.
The brothers developed a concept featuring hot submarine sandwiches, steamed meats and cheeses, and firehouse-inspired interiors.
Chris helped establish the restaurants’ distinctive appearance through custom murals honoring local firefighters and police officers. He also collected historical firefighting artifacts and preserved the company’s early history.
In a 2020 interview, Robin recalled that their first customer ordered two fully loaded hot dogs rather than sandwiches, catching the brothers unprepared.
The chain expanded through franchising and had approximately 1,200 restaurants when Restaurant Brands International acquired it for $1 billion in 2021.
According to Restaurant Brands International’s acquisition announcement, Firehouse Subs was expected to generate approximately $1.1 billion in annual system-wide sales that year.
The transaction reflected the company’s value, not Sorensen’s personal net worth.
The deal also illustrates how ownership changes can reshape restaurant businesses. Another example was Cracker Barrel’s sale of Maple Street Biscuit Company, which involved transferring restaurants to a new operator while closing other locations.
Franchise operations remain central to the industry. The distinction between company-owned and franchised restaurants also featured in Papa Murphy’s restaurant restructuring, where planned closures primarily affected company-operated locations.
Firehouse Subs Foundation Has Awarded More Than $118 Million
In 2005, Chris and Robin established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation after helping feed emergency responders and survivors following Hurricane Katrina.
According to Sorensen’s obituary, the foundation has awarded more than $118 million in grants benefiting approximately 7,700 departments across the United States and Canada.
The funding helps agencies obtain lifesaving equipment, emergency response tools, training and educational resources that may otherwise be difficult to purchase through local budgets.
The foundation became one of Sorensen’s most significant achievements, reflecting his continuing commitment to firefighters and other public safety professionals.
Read More: Restaurant Industry News
Tributes Remember His Commitment to First Responders
Former Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox remembered Sorensen for his creativity, generosity and influence on the restaurant company’s culture.
Former firefighting colleagues recalled his connection to emergency services and his willingness to seek feedback while developing the company’s earliest sandwiches.
For Jacksonville and Brevard County, Sorensen’s story remains particularly meaningful because his firefighting career preceded the creation of a restaurant business that expanded across North America.
Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Donations
A celebration of Sorensen’s life was scheduled for October 23 at The Church of Eleven22 in St. Johns, Florida, followed by a reception at Marywood Retreat & Conference Center.
Instead of flowers, his family requested donations to the Eric Sorensen Motor Speech Program at Brooks Rehabilitation or the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Although Firehouse Subs now operates under international corporate ownership, Sorensen’s influence remains visible in its firefighter-inspired identity, locally themed restaurant murals and ongoing charitable support for emergency responders.
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