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Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

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Freddy's, LLC
Freddy's
Formerly
  • Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
    (2002–2024)
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurants Franchising
Genrefast-casual
Founded2002; 23 years ago (2002)
Founders
  • Bill Simon
  • Randy Simon
  • Scott Redler
  • Freddy Simon
Headquarters260 N. Rock Road
Wichita, Kansas
United States
Number of locations
515 (2023)
Area served
United States[1]
Key people
Chris Dull, CEO, President[2] and Co-Founder
Scott Redler, COO and Co-Founder
Freddy Simon, Co-Founder
ProductsSteakburgers, hot dogs, french fries, frozen custard, milkshakes, soft drinks
RevenueIncrease US$925 million (September 2024)
OwnerThompson Street Capital Partners
Number of employees
9,751 (2021)
Websitefreddys.com

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.[3] Its menu includes steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches along with frozen custard and specialty sundaes.[4][5][6]

History

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Freddy's was founded by Fredrick "Freddy" L. Simon, two of his sons (William "Bill" Simon and Randy Simon), and restaurateur Scott Redler.[7]

Freddy Simon was a World War II veteran who lived in Wichita, Kansas. He joined the U.S. Army infantry in 1943 and was assigned to 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.[8] Simon worked for the same company in the hospitality industry for 55 years, building connections with many restaurateurs.

Freddy Simon was originally a business partner to a family-owned restaurant called Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, opened in Wichita in 2002. Freddy's gained a large fanbase within its first year, which led to the opening of more locations in 2004. 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."[9]

On December 17, 2016, Freddy's co-founder Bill Simon died at the age of 61.[10] Freddy Simon died at the age of 95 on October 25, 2020.[11]

In March 2021, private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partner purchased Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for an undisclosed amount.[12] In May 2021, Freddy's hired Chris Dull as CEO to take over the top post from co-founder Randy Simon.[13] In August 2022, Freddy's hired Brian Wise as COO to take over the operations post from co-founder Scott Redler.[14]

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.[15][16]

Locations

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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.[15][16] 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.[17]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Star, Brad (August 10, 2021). "Freddy's Frozen Custard in Grand Chute has opening date". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved August 17, 2021. The Wichita, Kansas-based chain has over 380 locations across 32 states.
  2. ^ Ewen, Beth; Kaiser, Tom; Michaels, Laura; Upton, Nicholas (December 27, 2018). "Fast & Serious: 11-20". Franchise Times. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Neil, Denise (September 1, 2017). "Freddy's at 15: Wichita-based chain worked because it didn't have to". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  4. ^ Start Your Own Restaurant and More: Pizzeria, Coffeehouse, Deli, Bakery, Catering Business. StartUp Series. Entrepreneur Press. 2016. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-61308-344-4. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  5. ^ "Ready for Freddy's". Arktimes.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opens". The Daily News. Jacksonville, NC. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "Scott Redler". NRA. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "Freddy's namesake, Freddy Simon, dies at age 95". www.fastcasual.com. October 27, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers". National Center for the Middle Market. June 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Magazine, Q. S. R. (December 19, 2016). "Bill Simon, Co-Founder of Freddy's, Passes Away at 61". QSR Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  11. ^ "Freddy's namesake, Freddy Simon, dies at age 95". Fast Casual. October 27, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  12. ^ Maze, Jonathan (March 3, 2021). "Freddy's Frozen Custard is sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners". Restaurant Business. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  13. ^ Lalley, Heather (May 6, 2021). "Freddy's Frozen Custard gets a new CEO in Chris Dull". Restaurant Business. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Ruggless, Ron (August 29, 2022). "Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers names Brian Wise as operations chief". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Expanding in Canada". QSR Magazine. October 17, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Freddy's heading to Canada". www.fastcasual.com. November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Exceeds Company Record, Opening 62 New Restaurants in 2023". www.pr.com. January 10, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
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