Firehouse Subs franchise financing options

Overall costs for Firehouse Subs run anywhere from $57,502 to $790,391. See how the costs break down and what funding options might be right for your new venture into the franchise foray.

Estimated initial costs

Our cost estimates are accurate as of 2022 from Franchise Direct and include opening fees and expenses only. The location you choose for your Firehouse Subs franchise may result in higher or lower fees.

Franchise fees

Firehouse Subs franchise fees total around $17,500, which beats out the $37,000 average for the 200 largest franchises nationwide.

Franchise	Cost
Balance of initial franchise fee, less any deposit	$17,500 to $17,500
Royalty	6% of gross sales per accounting period (reduced to 3% of gross sales during the first 2 years of operation for each incentive restaurant opened).
Estimated total	$17,500 to $17,500

Equipment fees

Equipment fees total $88,688 for Firehouse Subs. This is less than the $180,023 average for the top 200 franchises.

Equipment	Cost
Signs	$0 to $31,529
Equipment and fixtures	$14,502 to $131,344
Estimated total	$14,502 to $162,873

Real estate fees

Real estate will set you back $226,300 for Firehouse Subs, thought it's less than the average of $788,376 for the top 200 franchises.

Real estate	Cost
Deposit	$2,500 to $2,500
First three months' rent	$10,000 to $19,500
Real property improvements	$0 to $27,500
Leasehold improvements	$0 to $360,000
Deposits and prepaid expenses	$0 to $30,600
Estimated total	$12,500 to $440,100

Inventory costs

Initial inventory for Firehouse Subs shakes out to $12,369. This is less than the nationwide average of $53,119.

Inventory	Cost
Opening inventory	$5,000 to $19,738
Estimated total	$5,000 to $19,738

Marketing costs

Advertisement and marketing costs total up to $14,000 for Firehouse Subs, which is more than the nationwide average of $9,938.

Marketing	Cost
Mural	$3,000 to $5,000
Opening advertising	$5,000 to $15,000
Local advertising	4% of gross sales.
Estimated total	$8,000 to $20,000

Licenses and permits costs

Firehouse Subs initial licenses and permits will set you back $6,390. This comes out to less than $18,770 — the overall nationwide average.

Licenses and permits	Cost
Business licenses	$0 to $12,780
Estimated total	$0 to $12,780

Insurance costs

Initial insurance costs for Firehouse Subs run $4,000. This means you'll be paying less than the overall nationwide average of $6,311.

Insurance	Cost
Insurance	$0 to $8,000
Estimated total	$0 to $8,000

Administrative fees

Firehouse Subs administrative fees total up to $11,600 — which comes in over the overall nationwide average of $6,761.

Admin	Cost
MIS system fee	$0 to $1,200
Accounting system fee	$0 to $22,000
Audit	Cost of inspection or audit plus travel.
Estimated total	$0 to $23,200

Other expenses

Miscellaneous expenses for Firehouse Subs total $43,100 — less than the nationwide average of $69,970.

Other	Cost
Three months' miscellaneous expenses	$0 to $86,200
Estimated total	$0 to $86,200

All costs were found using the 200 largest franchises nationwide using Franchise Direct's list of more than 300 franchises, and are accurate as of 2022.

How to finance

Since the estimated total for Firehouse Subs is on the more costly side, we recommend following these steps to get fully financed:

1. Go to the Firehouse Subs franchising website and review its financial requirements, including cash-on-hand requirements.
2. Reach out to Firehouse Subs about in-house financing for franchisees.
3. If in-house financing isn't available, look for online loans, bank loans and SBA loans to help meet the $423,947 estimated opening costs.
4. Compare lenders based on amounts, interest rates and what types of personal and business credit history they accept.
5. Once you settle on a lender, gather all required documents, including account statements and assets.
6. Apply for financing online or in person as required by the lender.

What types of financing is available?

You have several options when it comes to financing a Firehouse Subs — even if the cost is on the heavier side. What assets you have available will largely determine how much you need to borrow, and which option suits you best.

• Online loan. A number of online business lenders offer amounts up to $1 million, with some extending up to $5 million.
• Bank loan. Your personal credit will typically need to at least be good — 670 or higher — when it comes to getting a bank loan large enough to cover a significant portion of Firehouse Subs opening costs.
• SBA loan. While your personal credit score doesn't need to be as good to qualify for an SBA loan, they usually cost more than standard term loans from banks or online lenders.

Also check if Firehouse Subs franchise financing is available. You may be able to get some of the costs covered for less than you would with other traditional funding options.

Compare small business lenders

You may not need financing to cover the estimated $57,502. But if you need funds for other business ventures, select the loan amount, your time in business and revenue and your personal credit score to compare a selection of lenders.

How Firehouse Subs stacks up

Compare how Firehouse Subs holds up against two similarly sized franchises.

	Kona Ice	Firehouse Subs	Massage Envy
Average Franchise fees	$15,000	$17,500	$45,000
Average Equipment fees	$120,450	$88,688	$129,800
Average Real estate fees	$600	$226,300	$406,000
Average Training fees	$850	NA	$3,500
Average Inventory fees	$5,750	$12,369	NA
Average Marketing fees	NA	$14,000	$15,000
Average Licenses and permits fees	$4,875	$6,390	$2,625
Average Insurance fees	$825	$4,000	NA
Average Admin fees	$1,750	$11,600	NA
Average Personnel fees	NA	NA	NA
Average Other fees	$4,750	$43,100	$18,500

Bottom line

Firehouse Subs franchise costs run a total of $423,947. Before you decide to become a franchisee, compare the total costs against industry averages. And to learn more about financing read our guide to franchise financing.