• by Teresa Buyikian , October 14, 2024

With a name like Firehouse Subs, the sandwich QSR founded in Florida by former firefighters, you might think the chain would donate to relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Milton.

But Firehouse is going a step further by giving free food directly to workers helping those in need -- those on the front lines.

Until Oct. 18, frontline workers who visit any of Firehouse Sub’s 177 locations across Florida will get a free meal. The meal, featuring a medium Hook & Ladder hot sub, chips and a drink, is available for such first responders as firefighters, EMS and disaster relief volunteers with valid ID.

“It is in these difficult moments that Firehouse Subs is living by its values and commitment to supporting public safety by offering frontline workers a small token of appreciation in the wake of another devastating hurricane to hit Florida,” per a statement from the brand. 

In addition to the free meals, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated  $20,000 to the American Red Cross.

Unsurprisingly, the free meals for first responders are among many initiatives by the chain to assist in disaster relief. The brand created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation as a response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and to date has donated more than $89 million in equipment to first responders, including $3.5 million to disaster relief.

Founded in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994 by former firefighters Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, Firehouse Subs has over 1200 locations in 46 states.