How Much Does a Firehouse Subs Franchise Owner Make?
Firehouse Subs franchise owners earn approximately $100,000–$148,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD median AUV of approximately $1.0M and estimated operating margins of 10–15% after the 11% combined royalty and advertising fee. Firehouse Subs is owned by Restaurant Brands International (RBI) — the same parent as Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons. The brand had its strongest net US restaurant expansion year in over a decade in 2025 (43 net US opens) and is offering a $75,000–$100,000 cash development incentive per restaurant in 2026 — the most aggressive recruitment incentive in the sandwich segment.
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Firehouse Subs Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median AUV (FDD Item 19) | ~$1,000,000 |
| Top-25% AUV | $1,348,295 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — avg, median, top 25% |
| Estimated Owner Income | $100K–$148K per location |
| Royalty Rate | 6% of gross sales |
| Ad Fund | 5% of gross sales |
| Total Fee Burden | 11% |
| Initial Investment | $379K–$796K |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 (one of the lowest in sandwich QSR) |
| 2026 Cash Incentive | $75K (single open) / $100K per restaurant (2+ commits) |
| US Locations | 1,276 (+43 net in 2025) |
| Owner | Restaurant Brands International (RBI) |
| Avg Payback Period | 4–7 years |
How Much Does a Firehouse Subs Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $700K (lower locations) | 8–10% | $56K–$70K |
| $1.0M (median) | 10–15% | $100K–$150K |
| $1.348M (top 25%) | 12–16% | $162K–$216K |
Methodology: Firehouse Subs 2025 FDD median AUV ~$1.0M (1,276 US units); top-25% at $1,348,295 per FranchiseInvestorData. 10–15% net margin at median after 11% royalty+ad, ~28% COGS, ~28% labor, ~8% occupancy. The $75K–$100K 2026 cash development incentive per restaurant meaningfully improves Year 1 economics — a $75K cash injection on a $100K annual income opportunity is material. Always consult current FDD.
| Brand | AUV | Fees | Investment | 2026 Incentive | Est. Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firehouse Subs | ~$1.0M | 11% | $379K–$796K | $75K–$100K cash | $100K–$148K |
| Jersey Mike’s | $1.367M | 11.5% | $182K–$1.41M | None | $120K–$200K |
| Jimmy John’s | $986K | 10.5% | $366K–$728K | None | $100K–$140K |
| Subway | ~$490K | 12.5% | $239K–$537K | None | $35K–$100K |
For full FDD data, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Firehouse Subs Franchise Income
How much does a Firehouse Subs franchise owner make?
Based on FDD median AUV of ~$1.0M and estimated operating margins of 10–15%, a Firehouse Subs franchise owner earns approximately $100,000–$148,000 annually per location. Top-25% performers at $1.348M AUV earn $162,000–$216,000.
What is the Firehouse Subs 2026 development incentive?
Firehouse Subs is offering $75,000 cash per restaurant for single opens and $100,000 cash per restaurant for two or more commitments in 2026, plus additional veteran/first-responder uplift. This incentive significantly improves first-year economics on a $100K income opportunity.
Is Firehouse Subs a good franchise investment?
Firehouse Subs is a solid sandwich QSR with RBI infrastructure, positive SSS (+1.1% in 2025), and the strongest US net expansion year in a decade. The 11% fee burden is at the higher end of the sandwich segment. The 2026 cash incentive ($75K–$100K) makes it the most cost-effective sandwich franchise entry point in 2026.
Where can I find Firehouse Subs FDD data?
Full FDD data are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line
Firehouse Subs has real system momentum (43 net US opens in 2025), RBI infrastructure advantages, and a $75K–$100K 2026 cash development incentive that meaningfully changes the entry economics. At ~$1.0M median AUV and 11% fees, income is modest ($100K–$148K) — but the incentive program makes it the best-value sandwich franchise entry point in 2026 for operators who qualify.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026