Firehouse Subs first opened in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994 and has since grown to nearly 1,200 locations, according to Datassential. It has never had an international presence, however. Until now.
Parent company Restaurant Business International, which acquired the sandwich concept in 2021, announced today that Firehouse Subs has opened its first international location in Zug, Switzerland. The chain also signed a development agreement to launch in Mexico later this year. According to RBI, these are the first of many planned global locations.
"Firehouse Subs is our newest brand, and we are excited about its global expansion potential. The entry into Switzerland and development agreement in Mexico are the first steps in our international expansion, and we are working to launch the brand in key growth countries across EMEA, APAC and Latin America," David Shear, president International RBI, said in a statement. "Sandwiches represent one of the top food occasions for consumers across markets. With its truly differentiated product offering and strong brand heritage, we are confident that Firehouse Subs can achieve tremendous growth internationally."
Firehouse’s menu and image will reflect global market consumers, the company said. The initial Switzerland restaurant includes self-order kiosks, mobile ordering, a dedicated area for click and collect, table service and seating for 62 guests.
The brand’s entry and expansion into global markets illustrate the advantages of being part of a global company with tremendous scale. RBI has about 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]