Chris Sorensen, the co-founder of Firehouse Subs and a retired Jacksonville firefighter, was married to Kirsten “Puschel” Sorensen for 43 years. Their marriage remained an important part of his personal life as he built one of America’s best-known sandwich chains alongside his brother Robin Sorensen. Chris passed away on October 11, 2026, at the age of 65, surrounded by loved ones. His passing brought renewed attention to Kirsten, their three children and the family that supported him throughout his remarkable career.
While Chris became widely recognized for his achievements in the restaurant industry, Kirsten maintained a largely private life. Their relationship spanned more than four decades, including the early struggles of entrepreneurship, the expansion of Firehouse Subs and the years Chris spent enjoying family life outside his business responsibilities.
Who Is Chris Sorensen’s Wife Kirsten?
Kirsten “Puschel” Sorensen was the longtime wife of Firehouse Subs co-founder Chris Sorensen.
The couple shared 43 years of marriage, building their lives together in Northeast Florida.
Although Chris frequently appeared in business interviews and public events, Kirsten generally remained outside the media spotlight.
Limited verified information is publicly available about her childhood, education and professional background.
However, family tributes described her as Chris’s wife and best friend, highlighting the close relationship they maintained throughout their marriage.
Kirsten was part of his life long before Firehouse Subs became a nationally recognized restaurant brand.
Their partnership continued through major personal and professional changes, including Chris’s transition from firefighting to business ownership.
How Long Were Chris and Kirsten Sorensen Married?
Chris and Kirsten Sorensen were married for 43 years before his passing in October 2026.
Their marriage began during a period when Chris was still developing the career that would eventually make him a successful entrepreneur.
Over the following decades, they experienced the challenges of raising a family while managing the demands of a growing business.
When Chris and his brother Robin launched Firehouse Subs in 1994, the company was a small operation with limited financial resources.
The restaurant’s early years required considerable effort, particularly as the brothers worked to establish their brand in Jacksonville.
As the business expanded, Chris’s responsibilities increased, bringing new opportunities and challenges.
Throughout those changes, Kirsten remained an important part of his family life.
Their long marriage reflected a relationship that continued well beyond the financial success and public recognition associated with Firehouse Subs.
Chris Sorensen and Kirsten’s Three Children
Chris and Kirsten Sorensen raised three children together: Eric Sorensen, Steffi Sorensen and Brittany Cooney.
Each developed different interests and professional ambitions.
Their son Eric was remembered in family tributes for his determination and resilience, qualities that Chris deeply admired.
Their daughter Steffi became a successful college basketball player before establishing a career in sports broadcasting.
She played basketball at the University of Florida and later became an ESPN commentator, covering college basketball and providing analysis during televised games.
Their other daughter, Brittany Cooney, pursued a career in the restaurant industry.
Alongside her husband Mike Cooney, Brittany became involved in operating Northeast Florida dining establishments, including Ember & Iron and Gemma Fish + Oyster.
Her entrepreneurial career reflected the family’s longstanding connection to the hospitality business.
For Chris and Kirsten, their children’s achievements represented an important part of the family they had built together.
Kirsten Sorensen’s Life as a Grandmother
Chris and Kirsten Sorensen also shared six grandchildren.
Becoming grandparents added another generation to their family and provided opportunities to spend time with their children’s growing households.
Although Kirsten has maintained a private public profile, the family’s tributes emphasized the importance of their close relationships.
Chris was remembered as a proud grandfather who valued time with his loved ones.
His professional accomplishments were substantial, but family remained a central part of his personal identity.
The couple’s grandchildren also became part of the extended family legacy associated with the Sorensen name in Northeast Florida.
How Firehouse Subs Changed Their Family Life
Chris Sorensen’s business journey began with his younger brother Robin Sorensen.
Both brothers came from a family with strong firefighting traditions.
Their father, Robert Sorensen, served as a firefighter captain for 43 years, inspiring his sons to enter public service.
Chris and Robin eventually decided to pursue entrepreneurship while drawing on their experiences as firefighters.
In 1994, they opened the first Firehouse Subs restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida.
The brothers developed a distinctive concept built around hot specialty sandwiches and firefighting-inspired branding.
What began as a small local business gradually expanded into a major restaurant franchise.
By 2021, Firehouse Subs had grown to more than 1,200 locations.
That year, Restaurant Brands International acquired the company in a transaction valued at approximately $1 billion.
The acquisition represented an extraordinary achievement for the brothers and marked another important chapter in the Sorensen family’s history.
Throughout the company’s growth, Chris maintained his personal connection to Jacksonville, where he and Kirsten had established their home.
Kirsten Supported Chris Through Personal Challenges
Chris Sorensen experienced significant challenges beyond the demands of building a restaurant business.
He was also a cancer survivor, having faced serious health concerns during his lifetime.
His experiences influenced his outlook on life and reinforced the importance of family relationships.
Kirsten remained his longtime partner throughout these personal challenges.
While the couple did not publicly share extensive details about their private experiences, their enduring marriage became an important part of how Chris was remembered.
Beyond business, Chris enjoyed music and played guitar, maintaining creative interests that reflected another side of his personality.
His family life provided a connection to those interests away from the responsibilities of running a national restaurant chain.
Chris Sorensen’s Passing and Family Tributes
Chris Sorensen passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026, at the age of 65.
His passing prompted tributes from people connected to the restaurant industry, the firefighting community and his hometown of Jacksonville.
He was remembered for helping create Firehouse Subs, supporting public safety initiatives and contributing to the growth of a major American restaurant brand.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, established in 2005, also became an important part of the company’s charitable legacy.
However, the personal tributes surrounding his passing emphasized his devotion to family.
Kirsten Sorensen remained Chris’s wife and closest companion for 43 years, sharing a life that included three children, six grandchildren and the extraordinary growth of Firehouse Subs.
Although Kirsten has largely remained outside public attention, her place in Chris Sorensen’s personal story is significant. Their decades-long marriage, family relationships and shared life in Florida remain an important part of the legacy he leaves behind.
Leave a Reply