Chris Randall Sorensen

Chris Randall Sorensen, 65, passed away peacefully at his home on October 11, 2026, with his family at his side. He was a beloved family man, former firefighter, entrepreneur, musician, philanthropist, and cancer survivor.

Chris was born on October 16, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Robert and Wanda Sorensen. He lived most of his life in Northeast Florida and called St. Johns, Florida home for the past 30 years. Chris’s earliest ambition was to be a professional musician. He was a gifted guitarist and pursued a career successfully for several years before following in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter. Though his career path had changed, he continued to play several instruments throughout his life. His musical talent opened the door for him to sit in with bands that included Earth, Wind & Fire, Lonestar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Huey Lewis and the News, and Foreigner. As a firefighter, Chris was employed for four years with the Brevard County Fire Department and one year with the Jacksonville International Airport Fire and Rescue Department before joining his father at the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. He served for more than ten years as an Engineer and EMT. During his time as a first responder, he impacted countless lives in ways large and small. He embodied what it means to be a public servant. Chris also developed an entrepreneurial spirit, sparked by his parents’ ownership of San Jose Television, a successful independent retail television business in Jacksonville. He and his younger brother Robin, who shared a love of cooking and eating great food, rolled the dice in 1994 and opened a restaurant of their own design, which they named Firehouse Subs. Chris’s talent in the arts extended well beyond music. He was the creative force behind the interior look and feel of Firehouse Subs, a responsibility he carried throughout his ownership of the brand. Everything the guest saw when they entered Firehouse was a reflection of Chris’s spirit. Over the next 27 years, the Sorensen brothers developed one of America’s most beloved restaurant brands and grew it to more than 1,200 restaurants with over $1 billion in annual system sales. In 2021, they sold the company to Restaurant Brands International. Throughout his time with Firehouse, Chris was always thankful for the time and treasure that his family members contributed to the success of the company, as well as the commitment and passion demonstrated by his partners and the employees and

franchisees of the brand. Chris’s retirement from the fire service didn’t spell the end of his commitment to his community. From the earliest days of his success in the restaurant business, he engaged in philanthropy. In 2005, he cofounded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of impacting the lifesaving capabilities, and the lives, of local heroes and their communities. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $118 million in grants to 7,700 departments in the United States and Canada. He considered the Foundation to be his most meaningful public and professional achievement. In addition to his love of music, his professional success, and philanthropy, Chris was a talented artist and an avid student of history and science, including archaeology, paleontology, and the space program. He was an enthusiastic collector of historical artifacts and other works. His passion for collecting ensured that the history of Firehouse Subs was well preserved; he was, in essence, the brand archivist.

He loved classic movies, and could recite many famous movie lines by heart. His sense of humor was a dry, quick wit honed as a firefighter; it served him well and endeared him to everyone he worked with at Firehouse Subs.

Chris was proud of his professional achievements, but his greatest pride - and love - was reserved for his family. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 43 years Kirsten "Puschel" Sorensen, who, during their life together, provided unwavering support and possessed indomitable strength that helped them through the best and worst of times; his son Eric Sorensen, who especially in recent years, inspired Chris with his true grit; daughters Steffi Sorensen (Toree) and Brittany Cooney (Mike), who have each carved out successful careers in their respective fields (Steffi as a star basketball player and ESPN commentator and Brittany, with her husband, as the owners of the local restaurants Ember & Iron and Gemma Fish + Oyster). Chris is also survived by six grandchildren (and two on the way) - Grady, Kaius, Phiona, Maximus, Roman and Gemma; his mother, Wanda Sorensen, and father, Robert Sorensen (Pam), and siblings Lisa, Robin (Tabitha), Cecily and Chadwick (Mikah); his in-laws Norbert and Carin Puschner, sisters-in-law Carly Ventry (Mike) and Sandy Korner (John). He was also an uncle to Indyana (Carly), Sanna (Reed), Alexandria (Katie), Madison, Amber, Lexxie, Sophie, Emory, Savvy, Saylor, Major and Poppy.

Chris’s passing has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of his family and friends; one that can never truly be filled. They find comfort, however, in knowing that he lived a full and meaningful life, rich in accomplishments and talents, and that his greatest legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren. His life, achievements, and the family he leaves behind are a lasting testament to a legacy that is truly remarkable and unforgettable.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:00 am, at The Church of Eleven22, 2101 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns, Florida 32259. Family and friends are warmly invited to join us for a reception following the service at Marywood Retreat & Conference Center, 235 Marywood Drive, St. Johns, Florida 32259. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Chris may be made to the Eric Sorensen Motor Speech Program at Brooks Rehabilitation or the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.