2009 Annual Report 2009 Annual Report : Page 11
Increasing Visibility: sErVicE a reCiPe for suCCess Firehouse Subs, Harden and The Main Street America Group are all in the service business. And that’s not all we have in common; our cultures fit together like a fireman’s glove. It’s this harmony of cultures, a commitment to service and an understanding of each other’s business that makes our partnership so successful. Firehouse Subs, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based “fast casual” chain of restaurants, was created on a model of service. Founders Chris and Robin Sorensen are former Jacksonville firemen who spent years sharing meals with their firehouse colleagues while protecting the public as first responders. “Firehouse Subs was created from our love of cooking and fellowship, and our passion for serving our community,” Robin said. The growth of Firehouse Subs has been phenomenal; they have expanded from one restaurant in Jacksonville in 1994 to 377 locations today in 19 states. As the chain grew, it needed an insurance advisor with the experience and expertise to meet its changing needs. t Robin and Ceree Harden, chairman and CEO of independent insurance agency Harden, met at sea on an outing for local business leaders on the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy at its last deployment in Jacksonville. Over dinner in the mess hall, Ceree asked Robin to consider Harden to handle its insurance. Like Firehouse Subs, Harden is homegrown; the Jacksonville-based agency has served the Florida small business community for more than half a century. It has been a Main Street America customer since 2006. “We had a lot in common; we are both Jacksonville natives, we knew the Sorensen family and we share a heritage of firefighting. We are also both entrepreneurs with growing businesses,” said Ceree. “We talked about the challenges of growth and how Harden could add value as they took their enterprise to the next level of success. “We built a plan to support Firehouse Subs’ enterprise objectives and it became clear that Main Street America would be a perfect fit,” Ceree continued. “Main Street America’s market niche is small businesses like Firehouse’s franchises; they were willing and able to support their geographic expansion and were very responsive to Firehouse’s unique objectives. They built a dedicated team to service Firehouse’s most important needs.” All of Firehouse’s coverage is written through Main Street America’s Old Dominion Insurance Company. “We love working with Main Street America,” said Mary Rawlins, corporate controller for Firehouse Subs. “They provide us with dedicated billing, underwriting and claims staff that are available to meet our needs and the needs of our franchisees. Service is what they’re all about. “We highly recommend that all of our franchisees partner with Harden and Main Street America to fulfill their insurance needs. There are so many aspects to setting up a business. Harden knows our business model, our core values and our challenges. Our franchisees can contact our insurance agency and ensure they get all the coverages they need. And we know if they get their policy from Main Street America, they will get the best possible service and support.” While excellent customer service is a key reason for doing business with Main Street America, it is also reassuring to Firehouse Subs that we share a commitment to the community and help our policyholders make a difference. The Sorensen brothers founded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in 2005 to give back to their roots and provide public safety entities life-saving equipment, funding and support. More than 100 communities have been impacted and $2 million has been donated to police and fire departments in need throughout the company’s markets. “In addition to Main Street America’s impressive corporate giving track record, they generously donated to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to help us serve those who save lives. For that, we are sincerely appreciative as it’s further evidence of their commitment to being such a valued business partner,” said Mary. the Main street america group 2009 annual repor t 11
A Recipe For Success
Firehouse Subs, Harden and The Main Street America Group are all in the service business. And that’s not all we have in common; our cultures fit together like a fireman’s glove. It’s this harmony of cultures, a commitment to service and an understanding of each other’s business that makes our partnership so successful.
Firehouse Subs, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based “fast casual” chain of restaurants, was created on a model of service. Founders Chris and Robin Sorensen are former Jacksonville firemen who spent years sharing meals with their firehouse colleagues while protecting the public as first responders.
“Firehouse Subs was created from our love of cooking and fellowship, and our passion for serving our community,” Robin said.
The growth of Firehouse Subs has been phenomenal; they have expanded from one restaurant in Jacksonville in 1994 to 377 locations today in 19 states. As the chain grew, it needed an insurance advisor with the experience and expertise to meet its changing needs.
Robin and Ceree Harden, chairman and CEO of independent insurance agency Harden, met at sea on an outing for local business leaders on the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy at its last deployment in Jacksonville. Over dinner in the mess hall, Ceree asked Robin to consider Harden to handle its insurance.
Like Firehouse Subs, Harden is homegrown; the Jacksonville-based agency has served the Florida small business community for more than half a century. It has been a Main Street America customer since 2006.
“We had a lot in common; we are both Jacksonville natives, we knew the Sorensen family and we share a heritage of firefighting.
We are also both entrepreneurs with growing businesses,” said Ceree. “We talked about the challenges of growth and how Harden could add value as they took their enterprise to the next level of success.
“We built a plan to support Firehouse Subs’ enterprise objectives and it became clear that Main Street America would be a perfect fit,” Ceree continued. “Main Street America’s market niche is small businesses like Firehouse’s franchises; they were willing and able to support their geographic expansion and were very responsive to Firehouse’s unique objectives. They built a dedicated team to service Firehouse’s most important needs.” All of Firehouse’s coverage is written through Main Street America’s Old Dominion Insurance Company.
“We love working with Main Street America,” said Mary Rawlins, corporate controller for Firehouse Subs. “They provide us with dedicated billing, underwriting and claims staff that are available to meet our needs and the needs of our franchisees. Service is what they’re all about.
“We highly recommend that all of our franchisees partner with Harden and Main Street America to fulfill their insurance needs. There are so many aspects to setting up a business. Harden knows our business model, our core values and our challenges.
Our franchisees can contact our insurance agency and ensure they get all the coverages they need. And we know if they get their policy from Main Street America, they will get the best possible service and support.” While excellent customer service is a key reason for doing business with Main Street America, it is also reassuring to Firehouse Subs that we share a commitment to the community and help our policyholders make a difference.
The Sorensen brothers founded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in 2005 to give back to their roots and provide public safety entities life-saving equipment, funding and support. More than 100 communities have been impacted and $2 million has been donated to police and fire departments in need throughout the company’s markets.
“In addition to Main Street America’s impressive corporate giving track record, they generously donated to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to help us serve those who save lives. For that, we are sincerely appreciative as it’s further evidence of their commitment to being such a valued business partner,” said Mary.
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