10 Ideas that Earned $100 Million

Bangalore: Most of the people you talk with may surprise you with an idea for a business that can probably make millions. Though it is relatively tough to make an idea work, many of the established businessmen of the day had a simple idea and had a humble beginning. And now they have turned their ideas effectively to success mantras.

You might be well familiar with the winning stories of Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg who have cashed their ideas. But what it takes exactly to make $100 million? You are going to be stunned!

Michelle Fox of CNBC, here comes with 10 successful biz-people and their simple but innovative ideas that made $100 million or more for them.

#1 Firehouse Subs

Master Brains: Chris and Robinson Sorensen

Originally, both Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen were firefighters working in Florida. On their family’s 200 year history of fighting fires, they came up with a different idea of opening up a sandwich shop; and the brothers borrowed on a credit card that belonged to Robin’s in-laws and opened their first shop.

The shop was decorated with fire equipment and a mural painting that depicted the local fire department. They even named their subs “Hook & Ladder” and “Engine Company”, inspired by their firefighter origin.

Though they opened their store, they didn’t want to stop fighting fires. Thus, Robin worked at the shop while Chris continued with firefighting.

From those days, they never turned back. The total turnover of Firehouse Subs owned by the Sorensens is $284.9 million as of 2011.The Firehouse Subs is now an established franchise business, with 514 corporate and franchise locations across the United States; and the company is having plans to expand their business to the Northeast, Central and Southwest in the current year.