Firehouse Subs is planning to open a new restaurant at 1035 Crosswater Parkway, Suite A, bringing the Jacksonville-founded sandwich chain to yet another corner of St. Johns County. No opening date has been announced, but the location would mark at least the third Firehouse Subs restaurant serving the fast-growing St. Johns area.
According to WhatNow, the company confirmed the new Crosswater location directly to the outlet, though it has not said when the restaurant will open. St. Johns County records show activity tied to the 1035 Crosswater Parkway address, and additional details are expected to follow as construction and permitting progress, per the same report.
The new restaurant would join Firehouse Subs' existing footprint in the area, including a location at 480 Durbin Pavilion Drive in Durbin Pavilion. That address sits near The Pavilion at Durbin Park, where Firehouse Subs opened what it called its prototype “Restaurant of the Future” in 2019, featuring a re-positioned ordering area and a designated space for “Rapid Rescue To Go” orders, according to jacksonville.com. DoorDash listings also show a Firehouse Subs at 2245 County Road 210, Suite 11, in St. Johns.
A Hometown Chain With Firefighter Roots
Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville in 1994 by brothers and former firefighters Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, jacksonville.com reports. The chain serves made-to-order sandwiches, salads, sides and catering, with menu staples including the Hook & Ladder, the Firehouse Meatball and the New York Steamer.
What began as a hometown sandwich shop has since grown into a national and international brand. Franchising since 1995, Firehouse Subs has expanded to more than 1,500 locations worldwide, according to PR Newswire, which reported that the chain's 1,500th restaurant officially opened last month in Abilene, Texas — the third location for franchisee Chad Fulkerson. That growth stands in contrast to 2019, when jacksonville.com reported the chain operated more than 1,170 restaurants across 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Giving Back To First Responders
Beyond sandwiches, the Sorensen brothers built a charitable arm into the company's identity. They founded the nonprofit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in 2005, according to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which says it provides first responders with lifesaving equipment and financial or educational resources. The foundation has awarded more than $115 million in lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations, according to Firehouse Subs News.
Other recent openings show the brand's continued push into new markets. Closer to home, a St. Augustine location at 200 Cbl Drive, Suite 106, received a perfect score during health inspections conducted between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24, 2023, according to staugustine.com.
For now, the Crosswater Parkway project remains in its early stages, with no confirmed opening date. St. Johns County residents watching the fast-growing Durbin corridor will likely see more updates as permitting and construction move forward.
