Wesley Chapel Firehouse Subs Celebrates 20th Anniversary

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Husband-wife business owners Sarju and Anita Patel are celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their Wesley Chapel Firehouse Subs restaurant at 1824 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

As the first franchisees to bring a Firehouse Subs restaurant to Tampa in 2002, the Patels have contributed to the brand’s expansion across Hillsborough County with now six locations.

Dilip Kanji and TJ Shembekar are the Patels’ former business partners and were instrumental in opening up the first restaurant.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since Anita and I opened our first Firehouse Subs restaurant,” said Sarju Patel. “What attracted us to the brand remains true today between the high-quality food and the funds we raise annually for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. We thank all of our loyal guests for their support over the years and look forward to serving new guests for many years to come.”

The Patels are dedicated to sharing the brand’s commitment to giving back through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has granted more than $1.7 million to public safety organizations in greater Tampa, including Tampa Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Tampa Police Department.

A portion of every purchase at any Firehouse Subs in the U.S. benefits the foundation, allowing the foundation to achieve its mission of providing lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations across the country.