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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox reflects on the decision that triggered the company’s growth and offers insight into what’s ahead.
THE
FIREHOUSE
Garrard’s 2 fitness centers are closed
Daily Record CATALYST JACKSONVILLE
Signs at Retro Fitness franchise owned by former Jaguars QB cite financial problems.
Daily Record Daily Record
BY DAN MACDONALD
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T
he success of Firehouse Subs isn’t dependent solely on customers liking the product. They also have to like Firehouse Subs, the company, which has been operating for 25 years. Don Fox, Firehouse Subs CEO, shared that insight with the Southside Business Men’s Club in April. Brothers and former firefighters Robin and Chris Sorensen founded the company in Jacksonville in 1994. It has grown to 1,161 restaurants in 46 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. It employs about 15,000 people. Fox joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 when the chain had 65 restaurants. He came from Burger King, which at the time was the nation’s second-largest hamburger chain
JACKSONVILLE
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
SEE FOX, PAGE 8
Firehouse Subs The restaurant was founded in Jacksonville in 1994.
1,161
Restaurants in 46 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
15,000 Employees
$42M
Donations in equipment to first responders.
Two Retro Fitness locations franchised by former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard are closed and no longer listed on the retrofitness.com website. Paper signs taped on the doors of Retro Fitness at 13475 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village and at 9802-05 Baymeadows Road in Baymeadows Village addressed to “Dear valued members” says the locations closed “as a consequence of unsustainable and continuing financial Garrard losses.” The letters on the doors say additional communications and information will be provided “in the forthcoming days” from Michael Moecker & Associates Inc. as the assignee of DMG One LLC and DMG Two LLC, which are led by Garrard. Fort Lauderdale-based Michael Moecker provides options to companies with financial problems, including insolvency, liquidation and disposition of assets. A Jacksonville Moecker representative and Garrard did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Retro Village leased 12,790 square feet in Baymeadows Village, according to the property brochure. It rented 11,614 square
Photo by Dede Smith
Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox joined the company in 2003 when it had 65 restaurants.
SEE GARRARD, PAGE 14
THE MENDENHALL REPORT
What’s happening with the Landing demolition And what could go in its place. PAGE 14 VOLUME 106, NO. 123 • TWO SECTIONS