In this episode of Dine & Grind, Daniel sits down with Don Fox, the CEO who helped transform Firehouse Subs from a small 65-store regional brand into a powerhouse with more than 1,200 locations nationwide. 

Don shares the unlikely story of how he entered the restaurant world, the moment he realized Firehouse had something truly special, and the leadership lessons that shaped the brand's explosive growth. He also breaks down the real economics behind franchising and reflects on mistakes learned along the way.

00:00 Don Fox: Industry Legend

04:46 Early Lessons of Hard Work

06:12 Proactive vs Reactive Workplace Mindset

10:15 From Music Dreams to Management

15:31 Musical Journey of Uncertainty

16:42 Embrace Passions, Adapt in Life

19:33 From Field Ops to R&D

24:51 Fast Food Industry Evolution

26:53 Early Franchise Leadership Experience

31:00 Optimizing Leadership and Systems

32:43 First Job: Manual Dishwashing

37:27 Learning Through Observation and Ambition

41:02 Work Ethic Learned by Example

43:43 From Music to Management

50:16 Passion, Paths, and Unexpected Joys

53:39 Operations to R&D Transition

57:38 Supporting First Responders' Impact

58:14 Rapid Fire Success Questions