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 2021 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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 |
$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.
| 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.
| 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 2021.
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:
- Go to the Firehouse Subs franchising website and review its financial requirements, including cash-on-hand requirements.
- Reach out to Firehouse Subs about in-house financing for franchisees.
- 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.
- Compare lenders based on amounts, interest rates and what types of personal and business credit history they accept.
- Once you settle on a lender, gather all required documents, including account statements and assets.
- 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.
| 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.
