In this episode of the Positive Phil Show, we are joined by Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox to talk about brand involvement with local communities and what it takes to make it! Firehouse Subs is a great example of this because of the chain’s heavy involvement with firehouses throughout the nation, as well as the brand’s 10-year-old Public Safety Foundation, which provides life-saving equipment to public safety officials, be it firefighters, policemen, you name it.
Watch the full episode to explore how Firehouse Subs uses community efforts to better connect with its franchisees and its community, key advice to what makes a community-driven initiative successful, and how this involvement has affected consumer perception of the Firehouse Subs brand.
Don Fox is a restaurant industry veteran with 45 years of experience, predominately in the QSR and Fast Casual segments. His first job was scrubbing pots and pans at the dish sink of a local Italian restaurant in NJ. He began his food service management career in 1976 with Six Flags amusement parks. In 1980, he began a 23 year career with Burger King Corporation, which included a variety of assignments in R&D and field operations. Don joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 as Director of Franchise Compliance, rose to the position of COO in early 2005, and became CEO in December of 2009. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to over 1170 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Fox is well regarded within the industry. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Operator of the Year Award by Nation’s Restaurant News. In 2013, he became a member of the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors and received the association’s Advocacy Award. Also in 2013, he received the Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association, and was named the #1 executive in the Fast Casual segment by FastCasual.com. A board member of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association since 2013, he served as its chairman in 2017. He serves on a number of other boards in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas, both within and outside of the restaurant industry.
Fox is also a published author. Among his works: “Patton’s Vanguard – The United States Fourth Armored Division” , published in 2003 (soft cover edition released in 2007). He has been published in Nation’s Restaurant News, Forbes, and other business publications.
Fox is a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences and events both within and outside of the restaurant industry (over 175 engagements to date). If you are interested in having him at your event, feel free to reach out.
The Positive Phil Podcast Show, a podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, where Positive Phil talks about personal stories, events and engaging interviews; with famous people, celebrities, athletes, authors, spiritual educators, thought leaders, as well as others in the social, business and entertainment industry.
Airing on over 300 digital channels, including iHeart Radio, Spotify, StitcherFm, Google Podcast and published online via RSS feeds globally.
The show has been around for almost 4 years and is one of the most popular podcast shows on the internet in the business-motivation space.
Professional radio, tv, podcast host and producer from San Diego California. We have a large national following on digital media channels, with our popular podcast and network of shows. Airing on iHeart Media, iTunes, Spotify, Spreaker, Stitcher, PlayerFM and over 200 additional media channels.
