Firehouse Subs in New Berlin reopened this week with new owners, including a former member of the Green Bay Packers and the University of Wisconsin football team.
Located at
4824 S. Moorland Road, the restaurant originally opened in 2018 as the Jacksonville, Florida-based company's ninth Wisconsin franchise location at the time. There are now 16 Firehouse Sub locations in the state, including six in southeastern Wisconsin.
Franchisees Eric Erwin, Scott Anthony and former Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger football player Don Davey took over operations of the New Berlin Firehouse Subs location after the fast-casual sandwich shop closed a few months ago, under previous owners Kurt Kloba and Bill Rowe.
Davey, who
grew up in Manitowoc, played college football at UW-Madison and went on to play four seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 1991 to 1994. He was introduced to Firehouse Subs during his stint as a defensive lineman for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and was determined to bring the brand to his home state of Wisconsin, according to a news release.
After retiring from a 10-year NFL career, Davey partnered with Erwin and Anthony to bring the national restaurant chain to Central Florida and Wisconsin.
The New Berlin restaurant is the fifth Wisconsin location for the ownership trio. All told, they own and operate more than 15 franchises in Wisconsin and Central Florida.
"When this restaurant closed a few months ago, we saw an opportunity to reopen the doors and continue to serve the New Berlin community," Davey said. "As a Wisconsin native, I’ve been dedicated to sharing our delicious food, heartfelt service and commitment to giving back with my home state."
Erwin has worked for the company since 2012. As the area representative for the state, he recruits franchisees to build out the market. In May 2016, the company announced plans to add at least 12 Wisconsin stores in the following three years.
Anthony has been with Firehouse Subs since 2003.
Firehouse Subs in New Berlin is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Following state and local guidelines to combat COVID-19, its dining room is currently limited to 30% capacity. Online ordering and third-party delivery is available through Firehouses Subs app or website.
Founded in 1994 by brothers and former firefighters Chris and Robin Sorensen, Firehouse Subs operates more than 1,135 locations in 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.
A portion of every sale at any Firehouse Subs in the U.S. benefits the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides lifesaving equipment, funding and education to first responders and public safety organizations across the country. The foundation has granted more than $313,000 to first responders in the Milwaukee area.
