This sandwich chain plans to open a State College franchise. Here’s what we know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Firehouse Subs plans to open a franchise in State College.
- A restaurant is slated for a vacant shopping plaza along North Atherton Street.
- The franchisees hope to open Firehouse Subs by the end of 2026.
A fast-casual sandwich chain is planning to open in State College.
Firehouse Subs is working to open a restaurant along North Atherton Street in Patton Township, a company spokesperson told the Centre Daily Times on Friday. It would mark the chain’s first location in Centre County.
The exact address of the planned Firehouse Subs franchise is unclear, but a photo shared by a company spokesperson suggests it would be located at 1682 N. Atherton St. in the Village Square shopping plaza. The property served as the longtime home of a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store before it moved to the former Rite Aid at 1536 N. Atherton St.
Owners Sanket Patel and Arun Patel, who are not related, are working to bring the Firehouse Subs franchise to State College, a company spokesperson said. The pair already owns a Firehouse Subs franchise in DuBois.
Though an exact opening timeline is not available, the franchisees hope to have Firehouse Subs up and running in State College by the end of 2026.
State College’s Firehouse Subs would likely hire between 20 and 25 team members, including three or four managers, a company spokesperson said.
The closest Firehouse Subs franchises to State College are in DuBois and Altoona. The company, founded by brothers and former firefighters in 1994, operates 1,248 restaurants in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and another 112 restaurants in Canada as of late 2024.
Firehouse Subs’ menu spans a wide range of hot sandwiches stuffed with deli meats, corned beef, brisket, grilled chicken, meatballs and more. Customers can also build their own sandwiches or order a limited selection of cold sandwiches, including subs featuring tuna salad.
Firehouse Subs also serves salads, small catering orders, kids’ meals and a number of sides, including chips, cookies, soup and chili.
The company’s restaurants usually feature interior decor and theming that resemble fire stations and prominently feature local first responders. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated more than $102 million to aid first responders across the U.S. since its founding in 2005.
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