A Firehouse Subs franchise costs $405,350 to $875,950 inline, $528,159 to $1,087,050 as an end-cap with drive-thru, or $767,950 to $1,577,750 freestanding, excluding real estate; $26,200 of that goes to the franchisor.
Key takeaways
- Item 7 of the Firehouse Subs Franchise Disclosure Document issued March 25, 2026 prints 19 lines for each of three building types, and each column adds up exactly to its printed total.
- Only three Item 7 payments go to Firehouse of America, LLC: the $20,000 initial franchise fee, the $5,000 Market Introduction Fee and the $1,200 MIS System Fee (Items 5 and 7).
- Developers who sign a Development Agreement and the 2026-2028 addendum by December 31, 2026 can receive a $75,000 cash contribution per restaurant opened by 2028, plus a $25,000 bonus each once two or more open (Item 5).
- Every restaurant built under a Development Agreement owes $1,000 to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, listed as a fee in Item 6, page 24.
- The franchisor is an indirect subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, whose FY2025 Form 10-K counts 1,496 Firehouse Subs restaurants worldwide, the same total as FDD Item 1.
What does each Firehouse Subs building type cost, line by line?
The 2026 Firehouse Subs disclosure document splits Item 7 into an inline restaurant, an inline end-cap with drive-thru and a freestanding building with drive-thru. Leasehold improvements drive the gap: $210,000 to $459,000 inline against $490,000 to $940,000 freestanding (Item 7, pages 25 to 27). None of the three totals includes land, a building purchase or rent, which Note 5 says the franchisor cannot estimate.
| Item 7 line | Inline | End-cap with drive-thru | Freestanding with drive-thru | Paid to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background Check Fee | $0 to $450 | $0 to $450 | $0 to $450 | Third parties |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 | Franchisor |
| Mural | $3,500 to $6,000 | $3,500 to $6,000 | $3,500 to $6,000 | Artist |
| Training (travel and living) | $7,000 to $26,000 | $7,000 to $26,000 | $7,000 to $26,000 | Third parties |
| Market Introduction Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Franchisor |
| Real Estate | Not estimated (Note 5) | Not estimated | Not estimated | Third parties |
| Architectural and Engineering | $11,000 to $20,000 | $12,000 to $21,000 | $16,000 to $25,000 | Third parties |
| POS System and Technology | $5,000 to $7,500 | $7,500 to $10,000 | $7,500 to $10,000 | Third parties |
| Real Property Improvements | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $40,000 | $30,000 to $97,000 | Third parties |
| Leasehold Improvements | $210,000 to $459,000 | $296,000 to $508,500 | $490,000 to $940,000 | Third parties |
| Deposits and Prepaid Expenses | $2,500 to $21,500 | $1,650 to $75,000 | $1,500 to $6,600 | Third parties |
| Exterior Signs | $4,500 to $21,900 | $10,600 to $27,500 | $26,500 to $34,500 | Third parties |
| Interior Branding and Graphics | $7,000 to $16,000 | $7,000 to $20,000 | $7,000 to $20,000 | Third parties |
| Equipment and Fixtures | $105,000 to $169,000 | $132,000 to $240,000 | $126,500 to $290,000 | Third parties |
| Opening Inventory | $12,000 to $25,000 | $12,000 to $25,000 | $12,000 to $25,000 | Third parties |
| Business Licenses | $650 to $14,900 | $903 to $5,600 | $750 to $11,000 | Third parties |
| Insurance | $500 to $1,500 | $1,306 to $4,800 | $3,000 to $9,000 | Third parties |
| MIS System Fee | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Franchisor |
| Legal, Accounting and Professional | $500 to $6,000 | $500 to $6,000 | $500 to $6,000 | Third parties |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $10,000 to $45,000 | $10,000 to $45,000 | $10,000 to $45,000 | Third parties |
| Total (excluding real estate) | $405,350 to $875,950 | $528,159 to $1,087,050 | $767,950 to $1,577,750 | Source: FDD Item 7 |
We added the 19 printed lines of each column and they match the totals to the dollar; the full grid with every low and high value is in firehouse-subs-item7-2026.csv. Note 5 sizes a restaurant at 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, and Note 10 says 2025 deposits ran from 0 to 12 months of rent.
Item 7 totals run from $405,350 inline to $1,577,750 freestanding. Source: Firehouse Subs FDD issued March 25, 2026, Item 7; accessed November 10, 2026.
Three lines move most between formats. Real property improvements (parking, landscaping, drive-through structures) run $0 to $10,000 inline but $30,000 to $97,000 freestanding. Exterior signs climb from a $4,500 low to a $26,500 low. Equipment and fixtures peak at $290,000 for the freestanding building, against $169,000 inline.
Which checks go to Firehouse of America before the doors open?
The cover page of the 2026 FDD states that $26,200 must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates for a single restaurant, the same figure at the low and high end. That sum is the $20,000 initial franchise fee, the $5,000 Market Introduction Fee and the $1,200 annual MIS System Fee, all listed in Item 5 and repeated in Item 7.
| Payment | Amount | When due | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee (10-year term) | $20,000 | Signing the Franchise Agreement | Item 5 |
| Market Introduction Fee | $5,000 per new restaurant | Signing the Franchise Agreement | Item 5 |
| MIS System Fee | Up to $1,200 per year | Before opening, prorated, then each January 1 | Items 5 and 6 |
| Background check (new candidates) | Up to $500 (Item 5); $0 to $450 to third parties (Item 7) | With the application | Items 5 and 7 |
| Development Agreement prepaid fee | Half the initial fee per restaurant; $10,000 collected in 2024 | Signing the Development Agreement | Item 5 |
| Incentive Development Agreement prepaid fee | $20,000 per committed restaurant | Signing the DIP or VFR addendum | Item 5 |
| Single restaurant, fixed total | $26,200 | Before opening | FDD cover page |
Two details are worth checking with the franchisor in writing. Item 5 says the background check fee is paid to the franchisor and runs up to $500, while Item 7 lists $0 to $450 paid to third parties. A standard Development Agreement prepays half of each $20,000 fee, but the 2026-2028 incentive addenda require the full $20,000 per committed restaurant at signing.
How do the 2026 to 2028 development payments change the cash you need?
Item 5 describes cash contributions that Firehouse of America pays back to developers who sign a Development Agreement and an incentive addendum by December 31, 2026. The base 2026-2028 Development Incentive Program pays $75,000 per restaurant opened from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, and a $25,000 bonus per restaurant once two or more open in that window.
| Program (Item 5) | Who qualifies | Payment per restaurant | Royalty effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2028 DIP | New or existing franchisees approved for a DIP Development Agreement | $75,000; plus $25,000 bonus each if 2 or more open | None |
| Grow A-Gain | Grade A, franchisee over 5 years, no opening in the last 5 years, commits to 2 or more | $150,000 (no bonus) | None |
| 10 in 2 | Commits to at least 10 restaurants in 2027 and 2028 | $100,000, plus one $500,000 Tenth Restaurant Contribution | None |
| Accelerated Market | 3 or more in one of 12 named metro areas | $150,000 (no bonus) | 2% lower royalty for the first 3 years (Item 6, Note 5) |
| Veteran and First Responder (VFR DIP) | Over 50% owner, controls operations, DD Form 214 or 1 year of first-responder service | $100,000 | None |
The 12 accelerated markets in Item 5 are New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington DC, Minneapolis, San Diego, Detroit, Indianapolis and Providence. A restaurant may qualify under only one program unless the franchisor agrees otherwise, and the franchisor can change or end any program at any time.
Worked example: two inline restaurants under the base program
The arithmetic below uses only Item 5 and Item 7 figures and assumes every condition is met. The contributions arrive after construction starts or after opening, so they reduce the net cost, not the cash you must raise first.
| Step | Low case | High case | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item 7 inline total, 2 restaurants | $810,700 | $1,751,900 | Item 7 |
| Prepaid fees at DIP signing (2 x $20,000) | $40,000 | $40,000 | Item 5 |
| DIP contributions (2 x $75,000) | minus $150,000 | minus $150,000 | Item 5 |
| Bonus DIP contributions (2 x $25,000) | minus $50,000 | minus $50,000 | Item 5 |
| Net of contributions, if all conditions are met | $610,700 | $1,551,900 | Our arithmetic |
The $40,000 prepaid at signing is credited against the two $20,000 initial fees already inside the Item 7 totals, so it is timing, not extra cost. Timing also governs repayment: a restaurant that misses December 31 of its required year but opens by March 31 of the next year returns 50% of its $75,000.
What does the Public Safety Foundation ask of a franchisee?
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation appears in the 2026 FDD as a fee, a contract article and a scorecard input. Item 6, page 24 lists $1,000 for each restaurant developed under a Development Agreement, payable on demand, and Article IX of the Development Agreement (Exhibit D2) commits the developer to a yearly per-restaurant contribution with the amount left blank in the form.
- Item 6: $1,000 for each restaurant developed under the Development Agreement, due upon demand.
- Exhibit D2, Section 9.1: at least a stated dollar amount per Developer Restaurant during each year of its Franchise Agreement term, at the time the Foundation specifies.
- Franchise Agreement Section 13.06: money raised in the restaurant for the Foundation is held in trust and is not part of the franchisee’s funds.
- Item 19 narrative: the monthly PNE scorecard weights operations performance at 80% and brand alignment at 20%, and brand alignment measures the restaurant’s Foundation donations.
That scorecard reaches money. An A grade requires 90% to 100%, Grow A-Gain’s $150,000 contribution requires an A, and the referral program’s two $5,000 payments require an A or B grade (Item 5). Ask the franchisor what amount it writes into Section 9.1 before you sign.
What leaves the weekly bank draft once the restaurant is open?
Firehouse Subs bills royalty and System Fund contributions on a 7-day accounting period that runs Monday through Sunday, collected by pre-authorized bank debit (Item 6, Notes 1 and 3). The standard royalty is 6% of Gross Sales and the System Fund is currently 5%, capped at 5%. Digital fees and the MIS fee sit on top.
| Item 6 fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 6% of Gross Sales per accounting period | 2% lower for 3 years in accelerated markets |
| System Fund Contribution | Not to exceed 5% (currently 5%) | Administered by Firehouse Subs System Fund, Inc. |
| Special Co-Op Contribution | None currently; up to 4% | Weekly if the Co-op requires it |
| Digital Technology Fee | $150 per restaurant per month plus 1% of Digital Sales | Excludes third-party ordering platforms |
| Delivery Guest Support Services Fee | $0.25 to $0.75 per app or website delivery order | Collected from guests, invoiced monthly |
| MIS System Fee | $1,200 per year | Due even before opening |
| Deferred Renovation Default Royalty | Agreed rate, typically up to 9% | Only if a deferred remodel misses its deadline |
| Transfer | 50% of then-current initial fee; $1,500 among owners | Before the transfer closes |
| Renewal | 50% of then-current initial fee | One 10-year renewal (Item 17) |
| Late payment | $250 plus interest up to 1.5% per month | Per late payment or report |
Item 8 adds a purchasing layer. Required purchases are about 80% to 90% of what you buy to open and 30% to 40% of operating purchases. In fiscal 2025 the franchisor’s affiliate FRG reported $32,197,135 in rebate revenue from those required purchases, and $5,100,492 in rebates passed through to franchisees.
Where does Firehouse Subs sit inside Restaurant Brands International?
Firehouse of America, LLC, the U.S. franchisor since December 2004, is owned by FRG, LLC, which North Pole Acquisition, LLC bought on December 15, 2021 (Item 1). Both are indirect subsidiaries of Restaurant Brands International Limited Partnership, whose general partner is Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), the owner of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons.
| Count as of December 31, 2025 | Restaurants | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide (FDD) | 1,496 | Item 1 |
| United States including Puerto Rico (FDD) | 1,291 (42 company-owned) | Item 1 |
| Canada, Firehouse Subs of Canada Ltd. | 173 franchised | Item 1 |
| Puerto Rico franchised | 15 | Item 20, Table 3 |
| FRG outside U.S. 25, Europe 7, Asia Pacific 0 | 32 | Item 1 |
| U.S. and Canada segment (10-K) | 1,449 | RBI FY2025 10-K |
| International (10-K) | 47 | RBI FY2025 10-K |
| Global (10-K), 9 countries and territories | 1,496 | RBI FY2025 10-K |
The two documents agree once Puerto Rico moves: 1,291 plus 173 minus 15 equals 1,449, and 32 plus 15 equals 47; that bridge is our arithmetic. The 10-K puts the brand’s net restaurant growth at 7.7% for 2025 and 6.3% for 2024. Item 21 makes RBI the guarantor of the franchisor’s obligations, or RBILP for buyers in California, Illinois, Maryland, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington.
RBI’s other brands sell franchises under separate disclosure documents; the Burger King franchise cost breakdown shows how the same parent handles remodel deadlines. 3G Restaurant Brands Holdings holds approximately 22% of RBI’s combined voting power, per Item 1.
Is the U.S. Firehouse Subs system adding or losing restaurants?
Item 20 of the 2026 FDD shows U.S. outlets rising from 1,187 at the start of 2023 to 1,291 at the end of 2025, a net gain of 104 over three years. Franchised openings grew each year, 47 then 62 then 73, while exits stayed between 26 and 30 a year. Company-owned outlets held at 42 in 2025.
Franchised openings rose from 47 to 73 while exits held at 26 to 30 a year. Source: Firehouse Subs FDD issued March 25, 2026, Item 20, Table 3.
| Year | Franchised start | Opened | Terminated | Not renewed | Reacquired | Ceased, other | Franchised end | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,149 | 47 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 1,170 | 72 |
| 2024 | 1,170 | 62 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 1,206 | 100 |
| 2025 | 1,206 | 73 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 1,249 | 88 |
Texas added 16 franchised openings in 2025 and ended the year with 142 outlets; Florida ended with 147 franchised and 37 company-owned. Table 5 projects 105 new franchised and 2 company restaurants, with 11 agreements signed but not yet open. Exhibit J2 lists 118 former franchisees, and the FDD warns some signed confidentiality terms.
Buying an existing restaurant is common: 88 transfers in 2025. SBA 7(a) loan data shows 175 Firehouse Subs franchise loans from fiscal 2020 to June 30, 2026, of which 46 financed a change of ownership, as compiled in our franchise resale index. The franchisor itself offers no financing (Item 10).
How long from site approval to the first hot sub?
Item 11 puts the typical gap between site approval and opening at 200 to 390 days, and the gap between signing the Franchise Agreement and opening at 30 days, because the Franchise Agreement is signed late in the build. Under a Target Reservation Agreement the restaurant must open within 12 months of site and lease approval.
- Receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing or paying anything (cover page).
- Sign a Target Reservation Agreement for one restaurant, or a Development Agreement; incentive addenda must be signed by December 31, 2026.
- After site acceptance, deliver a deed or signed lease within 90 days (Item 11).
- Complete 6 to 7 weeks of training: 5 weeks in a certified restaurant and a final virtual classroom week, 32 classroom and 240 on-the-job hours.
- Sign the Franchise Agreement, pay the $20,000 and $5,000 fees, and open about 30 days later.
- For DIP money, start construction by September 30 of the required year; payment follows within 60 days.
The franchisor’s franchise FAQ quotes 9 to 18 months to open, consistent with the Item 11 range once site search is added. A Managing Owner with at least a 10% interest must work full time in the business and live within driving distance (Item 15).
Which Firehouse Subs figures in circulation are out of date?
Most pages that rank for this brand still quote the 2023 or 2025 disclosure document, and the franchisor’s own FAQ still prints 2025 totals. The table compares five claims seen in November 2026 with the FDD issued March 25, 2026; competitor pages are described by type, not named.
| Claim seen | Where | 2026 primary source says |
|---|---|---|
| Inline total $379,650 to $795,600; freestanding to $1,396,100 | Franchisor FAQ (cites the 2025 FDD) | $405,350 to $875,950 inline; $767,950 to $1,577,750 freestanding (Item 7) |
| Total investment $200,132 to $993,297 | FDD summary updated 2023 | Three totals from $405,350 to $1,577,750 (Item 7) |
| $221,000 to $489,000 labelled “Real Estate” | Cost report citing the 2026 FDD | Real estate is not estimated (Note 5); that sum is A&E, real property and leasehold lines |
| $75,000 plus $25,000 bonus for 2026 openings only | Deep dive updated December 2025 | Window now runs 2026 to 2028, with $100,000 and $150,000 tiers (Item 5) |
| Royalty of 4% | Search summary of a third-party page | 6% of Gross Sales; 4% only in accelerated markets for 3 years (Item 6) |
Which Firehouse Subs route fits your capital and your market?
The franchisor’s FAQ asks for $150,000 in liquid capital and $300,000 in net worth, and the 2026 FDD sets the build cost by format. Match the eight thresholds below, each tied to an FDD item or the FAQ, to your situation before the first call with the development team.
| If you | Then | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Have under $150,000 liquid or $300,000 net worth | Expect to be screened out before Item 7 matters | Franchisor FAQ |
| Can fund about $405,350 to $875,950 and want one site | Price an inline restaurant under a Target Reservation Agreement | Items 1 and 7 |
| Want a drive-thru | Budget from $528,159 (end-cap) or $767,950 (freestanding) | Item 7 |
| Can open 2 or more restaurants by December 31, 2028 | Sign the DIP addendum by December 31, 2026 for $75,000 plus $25,000 each | Item 5 |
| Are a veteran or first responder holding over 50% | Ask for the VFR DIP: $100,000 per restaurant | Item 5 |
| Target 3 or more sites in one of the 12 accelerated markets | Ask about $150,000 per restaurant and a 4% royalty for 3 years | Items 5 and 6 |
| Need a protected area | There is no exclusive territory; protected distance is typically a 1-mile radius | Item 12 |
| Prefer an operating restaurant | Review transfer listings and the 50% transfer fee | Items 6 and 20 |
Veterans comparing programs across brands can use our franchise opportunities for veterans guide. For another hot-sub contract, the Jersey Mike’s franchise cost guide covers a mandatory development fee, and the Jimmy John’s franchise cost breakdown covers royalty credits instead of cash contributions.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports 2025 annual sales for three categories of franchised U.S. restaurants and cost lines grouped by PNE score; this page does not reproduce those numbers. Our Item 19 research explains how to read that section, and our guide to reading a franchise disclosure document covers the other 22 items.
This page is general information, not legal, financial or investment advice. A franchise consultant or franchise attorney can check the Section 9.1 amount, the spousal guaranty flagged on the FDD’s risk page and the Florida venue clause before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Firehouse Subs franchise?
The March 25, 2026 FDD puts the total at $405,350 to $875,950 for an inline restaurant, $528,159 to $1,087,050 for an end-cap with drive-thru and $767,950 to $1,577,750 for a freestanding drive-thru building. Real estate is excluded. Leasehold improvements are the largest line in every format, reaching $940,000 at the freestanding high end (Item 7).
What is the Firehouse Subs franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $20,000 for a 10-year Franchise Agreement, paid in a lump sum at signing and non-refundable (Item 5). The franchisor reports collecting $20,000 per restaurant in 2025. With the $5,000 Market Introduction Fee and the $1,200 MIS System Fee, $26,200 goes to the franchisor before opening.
What are the Firehouse Subs franchise requirements?
The franchisor’s FAQ lists $150,000 in liquid capital and $300,000 in net worth. Item 15 of the 2026 FDD requires a Managing Owner holding at least 10% who works full time and lives within reasonable driving distance, and Item 11 requires 6 to 7 weeks of training. Owners of 10% or more sign a personal guaranty.
How much do Firehouse Subs franchise owners make?
This site does not publish earnings figures. Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports 2025 annual sales for three franchised restaurant categories and cost lines by PNE score. What you keep depends on rent, the 6% royalty and 5% System Fund in Item 6, wages and food cost, so request Item 19 and build a budget with an accountant.
Where can I read Firehouse Subs franchise reviews?
The most useful reviews come from franchisees themselves. Exhibit J1 of the FDD lists current franchisees and Exhibit J2 lists 118 who left the system, and Item 20 notes that some former owners signed confidentiality terms. Item 3 lists litigation, and the Firehouse Subs Market Fund is the franchisee association the franchisor supports.
Who owns Firehouse Subs?
Firehouse of America, LLC is an indirect subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International since FRG’s sale to North Pole Acquisition, LLC on December 15, 2021 (Item 1). RBI also owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, and its FY2025 10-K counts 1,496 Firehouse Subs restaurants. RBI or RBILP guarantees the franchisor’s obligations (Item 21).
Does Firehouse Subs offer a veteran discount?
The 2026 FDD offers a Veteran and First Responder Development Incentive Program rather than a fee discount. Qualifying owners with over 50% ownership and a DD Form 214 or 1 year of first-responder service can receive $100,000 per restaurant after construction starts, if they sign the addendum by December 31, 2026 (Item 5).
How we compiled this
We read the 487-page Firehouse Subs FDD issued March 25, 2026 from the Minnesota CARDS registry, Restaurant Brands International’s FY2025 Form 10-K on SEC EDGAR, the franchisor’s public franchise FAQ and SBA 7(a) FOIA loan data, all in November 2026. We summed every Item 7 column ourselves. We excluded all Item 19 sales and cost figures under this site’s no-earnings rule.
Sources
- Firehouse of America, LLC: Firehouse Subs Franchise Disclosure Document issued March 25, 2026 (Minnesota CARDS document 35581-202603-09), Items 1, 5 to 8, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19 to 21 and Exhibit D2, accessed November 10, 2026.
- Restaurant Brands International Inc.: Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025, SEC EDGAR, accessed November 10, 2026.
- Firehouse Subs: franchise FAQs, accessed November 10, 2026.
- U.S. Small Business Administration: 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan data, file as of June 30, 2026, accessed November 10, 2026.