- 17 January, 2006 -

In a ceremony held last month, Firehouse Subs recognized three of its business partners for setting a higher leadership standard within the company, and honored them for their great success in 2005. Patrick Ryan (Bradenton, Fla.) took Area Representative of the Year honors. Donavan Carr (Easley, S.C.) was named Franchisee of the Year, and Mike Branson (Fernandina Beach, Fla.) was honored as the first Corporate General Manager of the Year. For their stellar service each recipient received a framed ax, Firehouse Subs' top trophy. Patrick Ryan, Area Representative of the Year, has been with the company since 1998. Starting out as a general manager of the Five Points location in Jacksonville, he eventually joined the company's American Dream Ownership Program, and two years later purchased the Sarasota/Bradenton franchise market. Ryan is known for his contagious passion for the business, and today oversees six restaurants with several more "stations" on the way. Donavan Carr, Franchisee of the Year, opened his first Firehouse Subs in 2005. A former vendor for Firehouse Subs, he was attracted to the company because of the quality of product and intriguing concept. Carr, who is known for his unique leadership abilities and superior customer service, plans to open seven additional "stations" throughout western South Carolina and northern Georgia next year. Mike Branson, Corporate General Manager of the Year, joined Firehouse Subs as a manager in training in late 2002. A Fernandina Beach resident for more than eight years, he joined the company's American Dream Ownership Program in 2003, and has been credited with record-breaking sales and creating a great customer experience. Branson plans to open his first franchise outside of the Jacksonville area in 2006. - more - Firehouse Subs Honors Partners/add one ABOUT FIREHOUSE SUBS Started just over 11 years ago by Jacksonville, Fla., firefighter brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen, Firehouse Subs has grown like wildfire. From a single store in Jacksonville, Firehouse Subs today has 221 ‘stations' in 11 Southern states with plans for more stores by the end of 2005. Recently named the 10th-fastest-growing chain in the nation by Restaurant Business Magazine, each store has a firehouse theme with fire memorabilia, boots, pictures of fires and fire equipment and even a hand-painted mural with a local firefighting focus.

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