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By: Donnamy Steele

Andalusia has a new restaurant to fill the stomachs of its residents and several local restaurant patrons voiced their opinions on Firehouse Subs.

Many noted that they are excited to see a new business in Andalusia.

Justin Lockhart was excited to see what the new business has to offer. “I feel like it will be pretty good to the community,” Lockhart said. “It’s new, something different.”

Katrina Nichols is a fan of the food.

“It was great,” Nichols said. “We didn’t have any complaints, good service, good food, we made happy plates. It’s always good to have new businesses here. Definitely need it, so this was a welcomed change for sure.”

Owners Michael, Toka, Shaun and Amanda Jackson said they are dedicated to sharing the brand’s commitment to giving back through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has granted more than $197,000 in the Dothan area. A portion of every sale at any Firehouse Subs in the U.S. benefits the Foundation, allowing the Foundation to achieve its mission of providing lifesaving equipment, funding and education to first responders and public safety organizations across the country.

This was an interest to local Red Oak volunteer firefighter Gary Bass.

“This is my first time having a Firehouse sub,” Bass said. “It’s great. I’m glad we’re having another business in town. It shows progress.”

Firehouse Subs serves a variety of hot specialty subs, piled high with premium meats and cheeses that are sliced fresh daily in-restaurant and steamed together to bring out the ingredients’ natural flavors, served “Fully Involved®” with fresh produce and condiments. In addition to its signature subs, the restaurant offers a variety of catering options from sandwich and dessert platters to salads and snacks to fuel any occasion.

Founded by former firefighting brothers, the restaurant décor reflects the founding family’s decades of fire and police service with gear and photos donated by local fire departments. It boasts a custom, hand-painted mural by Chief Mural Artist Joe Puskas, featuring local heroes from the Andalusia Fire Department celebrating around a bonfire in front of Andalusia High School with the school mascot and the franchisees’ children, who are third-generation graduates of the school: Ali, Trey, James Milton, Kailey, John Tyler and Cooper. Since the opening of the first Firehouse Subs in 1994, Puskas and his team have painted more than 1,180 murals from his studio at Firehouse Subs Headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.

In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. The 501(c)(3) Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $53 million to hometown heroes in 49 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Each restaurant recycles five-gallon pickle buckets, available to guests for a $3 donation to the Foundation. Donation canisters on register counters explain the nonprofit’s mission and collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. All funds raised benefit the Foundation.