Firehouse Subs was founded in 1994 and has more than 1200 restaurants worldwide with a view to adding further locations in Australia in the next two decades.

Gold Coast food franchisor Retail Food Group (RFG) revealed in a statement to the ASX it was set to partner with Restaurant Brands International (RBI) on a 20-year contract.

The announcement comes after RFG recorded a net profit after tax of $7.3 million for the first half of the financial year - a 73.8 per cent increase on the same time last year.

The deal will oversee the opening of 165 Firehouse Subs outlets in Australia in the first ten years.

The first restaurant is expected to be introduced in the first half of the 2025-26 financial year.

RFG will commit US$4 million a year in the first three years, which will increase to US$5 million in years four to six.

The move comes as RBI has rapidly expanded Firehouse Subs in recent years, taking stores to Mexico, Switzerland, UAE, Albania and this year announced a foray into Brazil.

RFG said it was time to bring a new competitor to the sandwich game, with Subway currently having an estimated 49 per cent market share of the fast food category.

“I am convinced that Australians have never tried anything like the quality and flavour of Firehouse Subs,” RFG CEO Matthew Marshall said.

“This is a brand that is all about the highest quality sandwiches with exceptional service.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than RBI, bringing global scale and new market entry expertise.”

RBI president Thiago Santelmo said the company was "excited" about the opportunity to expand into Australia.

"We are excited to expand Firehouse Subs in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing our iconic sandwiches and rich brand heritage to Australia," he said.

“This is made possible through our partnership with RFG, whose deep local expertise will be instrumental in delivering an outstanding guest experience."

The announcement of Firehouse Subs comes after another American brand - Wendy's - opened its first Australian store in January.