Freddy's Frozen Custard

Freddy's, LLC, doing business as Freddy's (known as Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers until 2024), is an American fast-casual restaurant chain based in Wichita, Kansas. Its menu includes steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches along with frozen custard and specialty sundaes.

History

Frederick L. "Freddy" Simon grew up in Colwich, Kansas, near Wichita. He was a World War II veteran, joining the U.S. Army infantry in 1943 and serving in the 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart due to combat wounds sustained in the Pacific Theater, as well as a Bronze Star for valor. After the war, Simon worked for the same company in the hospitality industry for 55 years, building connections with many restaurateurs.

Freddy lent his name to, and was a business partner in, a Simon family-owned restaurant called Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Founded by his sons Randy and Bill and Bill's friend, restauranteur Scott Redler, the first location opened in Wichita in 2002. Freddy's quickly gained a loyal customer base, leading to further expansion beginning in 2004. Freddy's menu has remained consistent over the years, offering signature steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and fresh frozen custard desserts across all locations. The food was based on " All American" meals that Freddy had served his own family, with the setting of the restaurant based on fast-casual dining of the late 1940s and early 1950s, evoking "a post-war era of optimism, pride, and values focusing on unity and quality family time."

On December 17, 2016, Freddy's co-founder Bill Simon died at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer. Freddy Simon died at the age of 95 on October 25, 2020.

In March 2021, private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partner purchased Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for an undisclosed amount. In May 2021, Freddy's hired Chris Dull as CEO to take over the top post from co-founder Randy Simon. In August 2022, Freddy's hired Brian Wise as COO to take over the operations post from co-founder Scott Redler.

In November 2022, the company signed a master franchise and development agreement that will allow the brand to expand into Canada by 2025, opening restaurants in nine provinces.

Locations

The company opened its first location on August 26, 2002, near the intersection of 21st Street and Tyler Road in Wichita; this location is still in operation. In November 2022, it was announced that Freddy's would be expanding to nine provinces in Canada, with the first location set for a 2025 opening. As of October 30, 2023, Freddy's had more than 493 locations across 37 states and 375 cities. In 2023, Freddy's opened 62 new locations, a record for the company, including its first restaurant in a Major League Baseball stadium at the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium.

See also

* List of frozen custard companies

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
2002 establishments in Kansas
Companies based in Wichita, Kansas
Fast casual restaurants
Fast-food chains of the United States
Fast-food franchises
Frozen custard
Hamburger restaurants in the United States
Hot dog restaurants in the United States
Ice cream parlors in the United States
Regional restaurant chains in the United States
Restaurants in Kansas
Restaurants established in 2002