Freddy's, LLC, doing business as Freddy's (known as Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers until 2024), is an American fast-casualrestaurant chain based in Wichita, Kansas.[3] Its menu includes steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches. The company also provides frozen custard and specialty sundaes.[4][5][6]
Freddy's was founded by co-founders Fredrick "Freddy" L. Simon, Bill Simon, 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 sustained injuries, 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 restauranteurs.
Freddy Simon was a business partner to a restaurant in 2002 called Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. The restaurant started out as a family owned burger joint in Wichita. Freddy's gained a large fanbase within its first year of opening, which helped to open more locations in 2004. The food was based on meals that Freddy had served his own family, and was considered an 'All American' meal. The setting of the restaurant is fast-casual dining in the late 1940s and early 1950s and evokes "a post-war era of optimism, pride, and values focusing on unity and quality family time".[9]
On December 17, 2016, Bill Simon, cofounder and son of Freddy Simon died at the age of 61. Freddy 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.[10] In August 2022, Freddy's hired Brian Wise as COO to take over the operations post from co-founder Scott Redler.[11]
In November 2022, the company signed a master franchise and development agreement that will allow the brand to enter the Canadian market. The chain plans to expand across nine Canadian provinces, excluding Quebec.
The company, founded in Wichita in 2002, opened its first location on August 26 of that year near the intersection of 21st Street and Tyler Road. This location is still open today.
The state with the most Freddy's locations to date is Texas, with 73 restaurants.[12]
In 2022 it was announced that Freddy's would be expanding their locations to nine provinces in Canada.[13]
As of October 30, 2023, Freddy's has 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 within a Major League Baseball stadium at the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium.[14]
