1.20.2013

Hot Giveaway from Firehouse Subs!

Hey friends - I'm back from Ohio - with plenty of Winter Wonderland memories and new (to me, anyway) and old places to tell you about - but first I have some unfinished business to attend to!

Late last year I was invited to meet local restaurateurs and Firehouse Subs co-founders Chris and Robin Sorensen, two hot ex-firefighter brothers who parlayed a $30,000 investment into a multi-million dollar operation with over 500 locations world-wide. Wow - that was a long sentence. Hand cramp! I could write all day about these two - their story is such a blast - but I'll let them do the talking!




Hook and Ladder
Anyway - I have to admit - as much as I love sandwiches, I'm not usually a sub-girl - I'm more the deli-type. So in my 15 + years on the First Coast, I had never, until last year, eaten at Firehouse Subs.  It was a post from friend, neighbor and CrackerJax blogger Cam Brown that made me take the leap and snag the first of many subs at Firehouse. The Hook and Ladder, it was called, and I was hooked! Apparently I have good taste - the Smoked Turkey, Honey Ham and Monterrey Jack masterpiece is the chain's fan favorite by far.

New York Steamer - Medium
Far from those cold, oily, flavorless  bread-bombs from you-know-where, the Firehouse Sub is a juicy, cheesy, saucy, flavorful thing of beauty. They really are "the Hottest Subs In Town!"

I frequent the Jax Beach store and one or two others, and have so far sampled the Firehouse Meatball sub, the New York Steamer (corned beef brisket, pastrami, provolone), The Italian, and my personal favorite so far, the Smokehouse Beef and Cheddar Brisket. These guys are not afraid of flavor! 


Meatballs! Like 'em? Get this!
So here I was, admiring from afar, when I got this invite to join a few of my fellow bloggers and bloggesses at the preview of their newest location in Mandarin. We sampled a couple of their tasty specialty subs (although not the ones pictured here - these were happily purchased on my own dime, my own time, thanks very much) and got the scoop on how they parlayed a few thousand dollars and a dream into one of the hottest restaurant franchises around. 

Meeting the family and staff behind the scenes of Firehouse Subs, one thing was clear. This business is a labor of love. Dad, mom, siblings, all play a role in their success. 

Next to the subs themselves and the overall family vibe, the thing I was the most impressed about is that they clearly remember their roots. Success has not spoiled the Sorensens. A case in point - the good works being done through their charitable foundation, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides funding, life-saving equipment, disaster assistance and educational opportunities for first responders and public safety organizations. 


Share The LOVE! Enter to win one of these $10 gift cards!
Another example of their generosity was found lurking at the bottom of this adorable recycled red pickle bucket - one of the ways they raise donations for the foundation is by selling these for $2 each in their stores. 

As our visit concluded we were given one these lovelies and asked to "Share the Love" with our readers - by giving away five $10 "Firehouse Funds" gift cards! So - I am about to do that - right now!  

Comment on this blog post below - or tweet @Nancy_White on Twitter - and tell me why you love your favorite Firehouse sub - or if you haven't tried them yet, which one you think you'll order first when you do! From these comments and tweets, five lucky winners will be selected at random to receive a gift card, courtesy of Firehouse Subs. Good luck, peeps! I'll announce the winners next week. 

Firehouse Subs on Urbanspoon

21 comments:

  1. I didn't like subs either until I did a tasting for my blog! A Firehouse sub is what I use to bribe my teenage son. And my fav is also the brisket and cheese

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  2. Karen Edwards1/20/13, 3:22 PM

    Hook and Ladder sounds pretty good to me!

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    1. You might need to plan a trip to Columbus - you were one of five winners randomly selected for a gift card from Firehouse Subs! Woot!

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  3. The Hook and Ladder is probably my favorite as well. I appreciate that the sandwiches are each decidedly different in taste and texture from one another unlike that unnamed franchise. I also really, really appreciate that Firehouse as a community of corporate interests, franchisees and patrons supports the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. I hope other chains run with this idea and create their own (or support existing) foundations that serve our common greater good. Well done on all fronts guys!

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    1. Congrats, Burner411 - you were one of five randomly selected entries to win! em me your mailing address for the gift certificate and enjoy!

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  4. I actually have never tried their subs. The Firehouse Meatball sub sounds good to me!

    Thanks.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  5. I have tried the corn beef an it was out of this world,but thats the only one.I would love to try the hook an ladder also,it looks so delish,oh my goodness now I am so hungry.

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  6. I have never tried their subs, but Hook and Ladder sounds good

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  7. The Sorensen family rocks.. as does Firehouse Subs. I just love their story. The Turkey Bacon Ranch is my favorite!

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  8. Firehouse Subs are the bomb! My favorite....the New York Steamer...juicy, cheesy, yumminess! Love that this is a family business.

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  9. My favorite is the sweet and spicy meatball. so meaty and delish! with an awesome kick!

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    1. Congrats, Andrea! You were one of five randomly selected entries to win! em me your mailing address for the gift certificate and enjoy!

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  10. My fav is the Italian. I've tried others, but always go back. Just wish there was a location closer to my office.

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  11. I've been there twice so far, and I'm itching to go again! So far I've tried the meatball sub and the turkey bacon ranch, and the latter was one of the best subs I've ever had. Of course I shared it with my significant other and she shared the same sentiment. :) These guys rock!

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  12. I haven't been able to try Firehouse Subs yet but the Hook and Ladder looks delicious!

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    1. OK Jeff - now you've got a reason to go try them out! You are one of five people randomly selected to receive the $10 Firehouse Subs giftcard! email me your mailing address please. NW

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  13. I've only tried them once -- we recently moved to a new town that now has Firehouse! I need to go back to choose a favorite :)

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  14. The Smokehouse brisket & Cheddar - I'm getting one today!

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  15. I love the club with extra honey mustard. Just delicious. I love the Brownies also.

    Yes.4eva.r(atgmaildotcom)

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  16. Karen Edwards, Burner411, Andrea Trouten, Jeff Taylor, and Elizabeth Paulson (entry from Twitter) are the winners of the Firehouse Subs gift cards! Congrats, and thanks to everyone who entered!

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  17. Tried the Steak and Cheese today....very delicious and filling!!

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