Chris Randall Sorensen, a multifaceted figure whose life journey spanned the worlds of professional music, public service, and massive entrepreneurial success, has died at the age of 65. The co-founder of the global sandwich giant Firehouse Subs passed away peacefully at his home on October 11, surrounded by his family.
Born in Jacksonville on October 16, 1960, Sorensen led a life characterized by diverse passions and a deep-seated commitment to helping others. Before he became a household name in the culinary world, Sorensen made a significant mark in the music industry. A gifted guitarist, he performed alongside legendary acts including Earth, Wind & Fire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Lonestar, and Huey Lewis and the News.
Following his time on stage, Sorensen transitioned into the fire service, following in his father’s footsteps. He served with distinction across several departments, including the Brevard County Fire Department and the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department. Ultimately, he spent more than a decade with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, serving as an engineer and EMT—a background that would eventually define his legacy in business and philanthropy.
In 1994, that service-oriented mindset merged with his love for great food when he and his brother, Robin, founded Firehouse Subs. Over the course of 27 years, the brothers transformed a local concept into an international powerhouse, expanding the brand to more than 1,200 locations with annual system sales exceeding $1 billion. The company was eventually sold to Restaurant Brands International in 2021.
Despite his business success, Sorensen often noted that his greatest professional achievement was not the growth of his sandwich shops, but the impact of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Established by the brothers in 2005, the foundation has become a cornerstone of community support, awarding more than $118 million in grants to 7,700 public safety departments throughout the United States and Canada. The initiative provided critical funding for life-saving equipment, training, and support for first responders—a cause deeply personal to the former firefighter.
Sorensen, who had called St. Johns County home for the past three decades, leaves behind an indelible mark on both the corporate and charitable landscapes.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Eleven22 on Longleaf Pine Parkway in St. Johns County. In honor of his legacy, the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation or the Eric Sorensen Motor Speech Program at Brooks Rehabilitation.
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