Get to know the owner of Fire Dept Meals

In a recent episode of the PintheQ Productions podcast, Frank from PintheQ Productions sat down with Robert Grebic, the dedicated and passionate owner of Fire Dept Meals. The interview provided an in-depth look at Robbie’s journey from a firefighter in Chicago to a successful entrepreneur running a meal prep delivery service with a mission.

Watch the full interview below:

From Firefighter to Entrepreneur

Robbie, a retired firefighter from Chicago, shared his inspiring story of how he transitioned from a life of service in the fire department to creating a thriving meal delivery business. “Working at the fire department was my life,” Robbie recalled. “I commuted from Chicago to school in Michigan and spent a lot of days on the road, a lot of days in the snow. The job came first.” His firefighting career was abruptly cut short when he broke his back in 2001, forcing him to retire after 19 years of dedicated service.

During his career, Robbie faced the intense demands of the job head-on. He started at Engine 38, located just outside Little Italy in Chicago, where he served for two years before transferring to Truck 11. “At the time I was there, we were one of the busiest houses,” he said. “We were in the projects, 34th and Calumet, and we ran a lot of calls. We were the busiest house in the city, doing about 3,500 to 3,600 calls a year.”

“Being a firefighter meant everything to me”

Robbie’s love for the job was evident, and he spoke passionately about his experiences. “Being a firefighter meant everything to me,” he said. “I still would be doing it if I could.” His emotional connection to the fire service was clear, and he channeled this passion into his new venture after retiring. “The fire department, you ate as a family. Food was a big part of our lives,” he explained. This sense of community and the importance of good, wholesome food stayed with him even after he left the fire service.

How Fire Dept Meals Started

After retiring from firefighting due to his injury, Robbie’s journey took him to the Middle East where he met his wife. It was there that they frequently hosted friends, often cooking for military personnel. “When we were in the Middle East, we ended up cooking a lot for friends, and most of our friends were military,” Robbie shared. “Everyone said, ‘You need to open up a restaurant.'” Initially, they explored the idea of a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Chicago but decided against it due to the high costs. Instead, they were inspired by the movie “Chef” to start a food truck, which allowed them more flexibility.

Robbie and his wife decided to move back to the United States and settled in Florida, a place they felt offered a great environment for their business and personal lives. “We were looking for a new start, and Florida seemed like the perfect place,” Robbie explained. “The community here has been incredibly supportive, and we quickly realized that there was a significant demand for healthy, home-cooked meals.”

Starting the business in Florida posed challenges, but Robbie and his wife were undeterred. “We had to build everything from the ground up,” Robbie said. From finding the right suppliers to setting up our kitchen, it was a lot of hard work, but we knew it would be worth it.” Their dedication paid off as they successfully established Fire Dept Meals, offering meal prep services that quickly gained popularity. At this point, Robbie saw an opportunity to pivot.

Their journey to Florida and the establishment of Fire Dept Meals reflect Robbie and his wife’s resilience, dedication, and passion for service. Today, Fire Dept Meals serves customers across all 50 states, providing them with healthy, delicious meals that make a real difference in their lives.

A Commitment to Quality and Health

“We pride ourselves on clean ingredients. One of our things is we list the ingredients, so you know you’re eating the very same thing we do”

Robbie’s experience in the fire department profoundly influenced his approach to his meal delivery service. “In the fire department, you ate as a family. If it wasn’t fire, it was food,” he explained. Every meal they prepare shows this sense of community and commitment to quality. “We pride ourselves on clean ingredients. One of our things is we list the ingredients, so you know you’re eating the very same thing we do.”

“Food is the quickest medicine or the slowest poison”

The benefits of Fire Dept Meals extend beyond convenience. Robbie emphasized the importance of nutritious, wholesome meals for everyone, especially those in demanding professions like firefighting. “Food is the quickest medicine or the slowest poison,” he said, highlighting the critical role of diet in overall health. The meals from Fire Dept Meals are designed to be nutritious and satisfying without leaving customers feeling bloated or sluggish. Frank shared, “Portion control is obviously a thing, and when I had them, I felt full and not bloated.”

Heroes Feeding Heroes

“We want to help those families who are struggling to eat or make ends meet”

In addition to running Fire Dept Meals, Robbie and his wife have launched a nonprofit charity called Heroes Feeding Heroes. This initiative aims to support families of fallen or injured firefighters, police officers, and military personnel by providing them with nutritious meals. “We want to help those families who are struggling to eat or make ends meet,” Robbie said. “Nutrition is 90% of any health battle, and we want to get good nutrition to those who need it.”

Looking Ahead

The future of Fire Dept Meals looks promising as they continue to expand their reach and impact. Robbie remains committed to his core values of service, quality, and community. “If it ain’t me helping you, it should be you helping you,” he stated, underscoring his dedication to educating the public about the importance of clean eating.

For those interested in learning more about Fire Dept Meals or ordering their nutritious meals, Robbie invites them to visit their website at FireDeptMeals.com or contact them directly. Whether you are a firefighter, a busy professional, or someone looking for healthy meal options, Fire Dept Meals is there to provide delicious, home-cooked meals delivered right to your door.

Robbie’s journey from a dedicated firefighter to a passionate meal prep entrepreneur is a testament to his unwavering commitment to service and community. Fire Dept Meals delivers nutritious and wholesome meals and embodies the values of care, dedication, and quality that Robbie upheld during his firefighting days. As Fire Dept Meals continues to grow, so does Robbie’s impact on the community, ensuring that everyone has access to clean, nutritious food.