JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville firefighter who helped turn a sandwich shop he opened with his brother in 1994 into a billion-dollar national chain died this week.
Chris Sorensen was 65 years old.
Sorensen opened Firehouse Subs with his Jacksonville firefighter brother, Robin. His popularity grew, first in Jacksonville, then across the country.
By the time the two sold it to Restaurant Brands International in 2021 for $1 billion in cash, the chain had about 1,200 restaurants.
“Jacksonville lost a true local legend this week,” the Instagram post read.
Sorensen was the son of retired Jacksonville Fire Department Captain Robert “Captain Video” Sorensen, who dedicated 43 years to the department.
His brother, Robin, also served as a firefighter at the Jacksonville International Airport.
Aside from their business success, the brothers never lost sight of their roots in public service.
In 2005, they established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has awarded more than $110 million in grants to support first responders and public safety agencies.
He leaves behind his wife Kirsten, his children and grandchildren. His sister, Cecily Sorensen, was a longtime communications manager at Firehouse Subs.
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