diff --git a/esphome/components/template/fan/template_fan.h b/esphome/components/template/fan/template_fan.h
index 04d72b6939..7cc4d4b657 100644
--- a/esphome/components/template/fan/template_fan.h
+++ b/esphome/components/template/fan/template_fan.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class TemplateFan : public Component, public fan::Fan {
   void set_has_direction(bool has_direction) { this->has_direction_ = has_direction; }
   void set_has_oscillating(bool has_oscillating) { this->has_oscillating_ = has_oscillating; }
   void set_speed_count(int count) { this->speed_count_ = count; }
-  void set_preset_modes(const std::initializer_list<std::string> &presets) { this->preset_modes_ = presets; }
+  void set_preset_modes(std::initializer_list<const char *> presets) { this->preset_modes_ = presets; }
   fan::FanTraits get_traits() override { return this->traits_; }
 
  protected:
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class TemplateFan : public Component, public fan::Fan {
   bool has_direction_{false};
   int speed_count_{0};
   fan::FanTraits traits_;
-  std::vector<std::string> preset_modes_{};
+  FixedVector<const char *> preset_modes_{};
 };
 
 }  // namespace template_