For a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs, essentially the most important barrier to franchise ownership is not ambition, work ethic and even discovering the fitting model — it is entry to capital. Firehouse Subs, the Jacksonville-based sandwich chain based by two firefighter brothers (and ranked #120 on the 2025 Franchise 500), is tackling that hurdle head-on with a brand new set of monetary incentives designed to decrease the entry value for franchisees and speed up development nationwide.
“It is all pushed round how can we drive return on funding for our franchisees,” says Kelly Crummer, senior director of franchising at Firehouse Subs. “We wished to do one thing that will encourage franchisees to construct. For a very long time, individuals had been coming into the system by way of acquisition after which not constructing something new. This whet their urge for food to construct new eating places.”
Incentive packages
The model has introduced its 2026 Development Incentive Program, which presents $75,000 in money for opening a single new restaurant and $100,000 per location for many who decide to opening two or extra eating places. This system is open to each new and present franchisees, giving seasoned operators in addition to first-time entrepreneurs the possibility to scale extra shortly with Firehouse Subs.
As well as, Firehouse Subs is extending its Veteran and First Responder Improvement Incentive Program by means of 2026. First launched in 2024, this initiative supplies as much as $100,000 in money per restaurant for certified franchisees with navy or first responder backgrounds. The concept is to honor the model’s service-focused roots whereas making it simpler for veterans and first responders to enter franchising.
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Reducing boundaries
Firehouse Subs’ incentives are among the many most beneficiant within the quick-service restaurant area. By providing direct money to offset early prices — together with buildout, tools and staffing — the corporate hopes to not solely appeal to new house owners but additionally to gasoline multi-unit expansion.
The technique displays a broader trade development. Based on the International Franchise Association‘s 2024 Franchisee Survey of 8,200 franchise house owners, 43% of franchises are operated by multi-unit house owners — a share that’s anticipated to rise as operators pursue efficiencies throughout a number of places and types. Firehouse Subs is tapping into that momentum with packages designed to assist franchisees who need to increase their portfolios.
Elliot Goldsmith operates 10 Firehouse places — with one other underneath growth — in South Carolina. Though not a veteran or first responder, he is been a Firehouse proprietor for 23 years and has seen the impact the pro-first-responder insurance policies have had on the general system.
“It is a improbable program to assist offset the preliminary value,” Goldsmith says. “The whole lot is getting costlier immediately. And Firehouse and Restaurant Manufacturers Worldwide serving to individuals open these eating places with out taking up an excessive amount of debt removes a giant barrier.”
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Mission-driven model
Whereas many restaurant chains discuss objective, Firehouse Subs has constructed its identification round community service. Its Firehouse Subs Public Security Basis has awarded greater than $100 million in lifesaving tools and sources to first responders and public security organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
That mission stays central to its franchising technique. By making it simpler for veterans and first responders to personal eating places, the model is straight connecting its heritage with its future development.
“Veterans and first responders make nice franchisees — they’re confirmed leaders, confirmed staff gamers, and so they thrive underneath course of,” Crummer says. “That is finally what being a franchisee is all about.”
Firehouse Subs additionally advantages from being a part of RBI, the worldwide quick-service large that owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons. This backing provides the sandwich chain entry to world-class sources in operations, advertising and marketing and provide chain — key benefits because it continues to scale.
“It is that excellent recipe the place RBI has three different manufacturers which have been there, finished that,” Crummer tells Entrepreneur. “We will take these learnings and apply them whereas staying genuine to who we’re.”
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For a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs, essentially the most important barrier to franchise ownership is not ambition, work ethic and even discovering the fitting model — it is entry to capital. Firehouse Subs, the Jacksonville-based sandwich chain based by two firefighter brothers (and ranked #120 on the 2025 Franchise 500), is tackling that hurdle head-on with a brand new set of monetary incentives designed to decrease the entry value for franchisees and speed up development nationwide.
“It is all pushed round how can we drive return on funding for our franchisees,” says Kelly Crummer, senior director of franchising at Firehouse Subs. “We wished to do one thing that will encourage franchisees to construct. For a very long time, individuals had been coming into the system by way of acquisition after which not constructing something new. This whet their urge for food to construct new eating places.”
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