Fryman said he and a franchise owner-operator from Huber Heights have selected a location on Ohio 202 north of I-70 to open the first Dayton-area Firehouse Subs, with the second likely to be in Oakwood. Tommy Routsong, who is building a retail development at Irving and Oakwood avenues just south of the University of Dayton, has identified Firehouse Subs as one of the center’s first tenants; Fryman said he is still negotiating details of a potential deal.
“We’re very excited about the Oakwood area, and now we’re looking all over the Dayton area for other properties,” Fryman said. Each Firehouse Subs will employ about 35 people, Fryman said.
Firehouse Subs specializes in hot subs and also serves salads, chili and other sandwiches in an atmosphere that evokes an old-fashioned firehouse. The Florida-based chain was founded in 1994 by a family with deep roots in firefighting, and the chain now operates more than 525 restaurants in 32 states.
It will enter a highly competitive submarine sandwich market in the Dayton area, with relative newcomers to the market such as DiBella’s expanding alongside national chains such as Subway and locally based chains that include Submarine House and Super Subby’s. Fryman said he’s confident Firehouse Subs will find its niche.
“There are a lot of great sub-shop concepts out there, but I feel like we’re unique, and as long as we deliver what we promise, we feel our way beats their way,” he said.
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