Firehouse Subs may be in the same general market as Mr. Goodcents and Jimmy John’s, but there are a number of things that set this sandwich franchise apart from the rest. For starters, the sub chain was created by former firefighters Chris and Robin Sorensen in Jacksonville, Florida in the year 1994. The restaurant’s interior is decorated with firefighting tools such as fire axes and helmets.

Firehouse Subs serves a variety of toasted and steamed sub sandwiches, along with an assortment of chips or similar sides and tons of drinks, courtesy of the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines (the tall red machines with a touch screen that let you choose pretty much any flavor or variation of every Coca-Cola brand product on the market). They don’t just serve toasted sandwiches, however; there are a couple of cold subs on the menu, such as a tuna or white chicken salad sub.

Because of the chain’s close-knit relationship with the fire department, which breeds a certain desire to help the community in anyway, Firehouse Subs offers a few ways for customers to contribute to their local firefighters. Adding 25 cents (or more, depending on how much you’d like to donate) to any order can make it a Hook and Ladder Lifesaving Combo, which goes towards the purchasing of equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, radios, turnout gear, and extrication tools for the fire department.

If you’re looking for a sandwich franchise that specializes in warm subs, and would also like to donate to help your community, there’s a Firehouse Subs at 1649 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017, just before highway I-64 and near Barnes and Noble.