Guests dine in at the new Firehouse Subs on U.S. Highway 31 South in Cullman on Monday. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – After a soft opening for first responders and their families on Sunday, Cullman’s newest restaurant, Firehouse Subs, at 1302 Second Ave. SW (U.S. Highway 31), on Monday opened to the public. The restaurant was busy with dine-in, drive-thru and to-go customers throughout the day.
Operating Manager Jim Cain sat down to talk with The Tribune Monday afternoon.
Cain owns stores in the Birmingham area and in Augusta, Georgia. Jason Hayley is also an operating manager and owns stores in the Huntsville area. The two also own the Diablo’s Southwest Grill which is expected to be open in the same complex in Cullman soon.
Cain said, “We’ve been busy and that’s good. I only slept for about 45 minutes last night, but things are going great so far.”
Cain estimated that 40 employees had been hired for the Cullman location, many of those being students. General Manager Kim Phillips, who has been with Firehouse Subs for 12 years, transferred from the McCalla location.
This year is the 25th anniversary for Firehouse Subs, founded by firefighters Chris and Robin Sorensen in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Cain explained, “Cullman is the first new store for Firehouse nationwide in 2019. Cullman is the first location in Alabama to have a drive-thru.”
Parking is available on the front and back sides of the location, and there is front- and back-door entry.
The restaurant is located on Highway 31, in the spot locals will remember used to be occupied by Cullman Dodge. That property, along with the one directly across the street, was purchased and is being developed by Athens-based Ming Enterprises. The two sites will be named Cullman Row East and Cullman Row West. A new traffic light is being installed on Hwy. 31 between the two properties.
Said Cain, “I am not sure when those lights will be on. I believe that is up to the state, but I know it’s not up to us. I am concerned about the public’s safety and I hope those signals will be working soon.”
Joining Firehouse in Cullman Row East will be Marco’s Pizza, along with Diablo’s.
Cain invited Cullman City and County employees, fire departments, the Cullman Police Department, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Cullman EMS, officials and their families to eat on Sunday. The store’s appreciation of firefighters and those who serve their communities is evident in the pictures and giant mural inside the location. Photographs provided by local fire departments are featured; local fire departments can contact the Cullman store to inquire about having their photos added.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated more than $1.7 million to Alabama public safety organizations. This money has been awarded through grants. For more information on how to donate to the foundation or to apply for a grant, see www.firehousesubs.com/public-safety-foundation/.
Firehouse Subs is open each day from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Online ordering and catering are also available.
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