By Deb Risden
In November, Rick and Debbie Buchanan opened a Firehouse Subs restaurant at 11694 Bent Grass Market View, Suite 100, in Falcon. Firehouse Subs was founded by two retired firefighters in 1994. The Falcon restaurant is one of more than 1,300 franchises in the U.S.
A Firehouse Subs franchise seemed to be a natural move for the couple. Buchanan said she and her husband saw the founding owners in action during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2004. The couple was on deployment in New Orleans helping Hurricane Katrina victims. “The owners are retired firefighters from Jacksonville, Florida, and they were in New Orleans providing meals for first responders,” Debbie Buchanan said.
The Buchanans were fond of Firehouse Subs food, but more importantly, they liked the company’s commitment to giving back through their Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®. The organization provides grants to first responders, such as firefighters, police and medics to help provide equipment and resources. “We like that they really stand behind their word, Buchanan said. “In fact, when we recently met with the Falcon Fire Protection District, we found out they had received one of the foundation’s grants.”
Rick Buchanan is originally from Kentucky and Debbie Buchanan is from Phoenix. They met in California, married and lived in several states as full-time flight medics for the Air Force Reserves. They retired in 2014 from their 26-year-long careers while with the 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base. They then worked in health care administration until Buchanan said they decided to use their MBAs to go into business and “do something fun.”
The couple resides in the Banning Lewis Ranch subdivision and wanted to open the restaurant in their community. Buchanan said they’ve been welcomed with open arms by the Peyton community. “Peyton has been amazing. People were stopping by before we even opened to welcome us and say how happy they were we were opening,” Buchanan said.
The newly trained staff at the restaurant have been hired from the local area, all living within a 5-mile radius.
Buchanan said they have been highly supported by the Firehouse Subs franchise as well, and have received extensive training and resources.
Firehouse Subs is famous for their method of making sub sandwiches, Buchanan said. The bread is toasted and there is a proprietary method of steaming the meats and cheeses. “When it’s put together, the sandwich is melty and good and the bread is crusty,” she said.
The restaurant also offers macaroni and cheese, soups and salads, and has recently introduced French fries. They will also be offering gluten-free sandwich options. “We have very specific allergy protocols.” We use different tools and processes to make sure we are abiding by Health Department rules for handling allergens and are very careful about it,” Buchanan said.
They plan to have family nights on Tuesdays with tableside delivery and coloring books and hats for the kids. “We try to make it family friendly. We will have other events like ‘Touch the Truck,’ when we will have a firetruck from FFPD visit,” Buchanan said.
An interesting décor feature at all Firehouse Subs restaurants is a mural that is custom made by mural artist Joe Puskas. Buchanan said the mural is in honor of the FFPD, the 302nd Airlift Wing and the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. The mural includes a rendition of the FFPD firetruck along with a C-130, the aircraft they flew on while stationed at Peterson Air Force Base. She said the C-130 planes drop fire retardant on wildland fires. “Their planes are designated with bright fluorescent numbers so you can see them through the smoke,” Buchanan said. She said there are only four units in the country that have them.
The Buchanans have been married for 33 years and have two grown sons. They plan to expand the business with a new location near Pine Creek High School and one in Monument within the next two years.
The Easter Plains Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nov. 15 grand opening of Firehouse Subs (from left to right) Joe Graff, vice president of the chamber; Larry Sparks, president of the chamber; Rick Buchanan, Debbie Buchanan, owners; Chris Woods, chamber member.
