Local Couple Opens First Firehouse Subs® in Foothill Ranch, California

This is the first Firehouse Subs for Helen and Mark, who were moved to bring hot and hearty subs to the Foothill Ranch community by a passion for the restaurant industry, family-run businesses and supporting first responders. With extensive backgrounds in human relations, accounting and customer service, the Tans are prepared and excited to bring Firehouse Subs’ mission of Heartfelt Service to their new neighbors.

“We visited our first Firehouse Subs in 2018, and were impressed right away by how tasty the subs are, and by the commitment to give back to first responders,” said Helen. “Foothill Ranch is already so welcoming, and we can’t wait to contribute to that by serving our community through good food and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.”

The Foothill Ranch Firehouse Subs restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The restaurant will offer steamed-to-perfection subs to go via online ordering through the Firehouse Subs app or website, call-in phone orders or takeout service at the counter inside. Third-party delivery and in-house catering services are also offered to guests to accommodate occasions of all sizes, from office meetings to family gatherings.

Helen and Mark are dedicated to sharing the brand’s commitment to giving back through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has granted more than $1.3 million in California. A portion of every sale at any Firehouse Subs in the U.S. benefits the Foundation, allowing the Foundation to achieve its mission of providing lifesaving equipment, funding and education to first responders and public safety organizations across the country.

Founded by former firefighting brothers, the restaurant décor reflects the founding family’s decades of fire and police service with gear and photos donated by local fire departments. It boasts a custom, hand-painted mural by Chief Mural Artist Joe Puskas, featuring Foothill Ranch Towne Centre, local firefighter heroes and the Tan’s three small dogs, Lucky, Vida and Fifi. Since the opening of the first Firehouse Subs in 1994, Puskas and his team have painted more than 1,190 murals from his studio at Firehouse Subs Headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.

In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. The 501(c)(3) Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $55 million to hometown heroes in 49 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Each restaurant recycles five-gallon pickle buckets, available to guests for a $3 donation to the Foundation.

Donation canisters on register counters explain the nonprofit’s mission and collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. All funds raised benefit the Foundation.