Jul 19, 2017

HMSHost Opens Firehouse Subs at Jacksonville International Airport; Restaurant’s First Airport Location

Hometown favorite now open for travelers

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) now features Firehouse Subs, one of Jacksonville’s favorite local restaurant brands and leader in the fast casual sandwich industry. This opening by global restaurateur HMSHost and partner Denard Enterprises Inc. is the first expansion into airports for Firehouse Subs’ non-traditional growth strategy. The new restaurant is located in the post-security food court just beyond the security checkpoint.

HMSHost, Firehouse Subs, Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), Jacksonville Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station 16, and the JAA Police Department all gathered in the food court to celebrate the grand opening today.

“HMSHost, along with our joint venture partner Denard Enterprises Inc., is very excited to celebrate the opening of such a popular brand as Firehouse Subs at JAX. With this opening, we are continuing to enhance the airport’s food options with the most desired dining choices in the industry,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas. “In addition to great subs, the local connection Firehouse Subs has with Jacksonville makes it the perfect new dining option for the airport.”

“We couldn’t be happier that Firehouse Subs’ first airport location is in their hometown,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Steve Grossman said. “Firehouse and the recent opening of PGA Tour Grill highlight some of our region’s most notable brands, giving travelers a sense of place when flying through JAX.”

The celebration of this opening brings a unique piece of Firehouse Subs and JFRD history full circle. Before opening their first restaurant, Firehouse Subs founders Chris and Robin Sorensen served as firefighters with Aircraft and Rescue Firefighting at Jacksonville International.

Firehouse Subs is also known for its commitment to saving lives through the non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®, which provides funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations nationwide. To commemorate this special connection, the Foundation awarded extrication tools worth $28,475 to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and protective equipment including body armor and tourniquets worth $21,190 to Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

“This is a milestone accomplishment for our brand, and a goal my brother Chris and I have worked hard to achieve since we opened the first Firehouse Subs restaurant nearly 23 years ago,” said Firehouse Subs Co-Founder Robin Sorensen. “We’re thrilled to serve guests at our hometown airport, but most importantly, we’re proud to support through our Foundation the first responders who work daily to protect travelers’ safety.”

Firehouse Subs is an award-winning fast casual restaurant brand founded by firemen in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida. Known for serving premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, Firehouse Subs extinguishes guests’ hunger with small, medium and large hot specialty subs, including the number one selling Hook & Ladder sub, served with smoked turkey breast and Virginia honey ham smothered with Monterey Jack cheese.

Travelers who find themselves in the airport before lunchtime will also be able to try Firehouse Subs’ first breakfast menu. The new breakfast options, which are unique to the airport location, include a variety of egg and cheese sandwiches with pastrami, ham, bacon, or steak included. Guests with vegan and gluten-free diets can opt for Earnest Eats Oatmeal with cranberry, almond, and flax.

Firehouse Subs at JAX Airport is located in the center of the airport’s food court, just past security, making it convenient to travelers in any part of the airport.

HMSHost operates other traveler dining favorites at JAX in addition to Firehouse Subs, including the new PGA TOUR Grill, Shula’s Bar & Grill, and Starbucks®. A full list can be found on the HMSHost Location Finder.