Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAmerican fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in steakburgers, frozen custard, hot dogs, and fries.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is an American fast-casual restaurant chain based in Wichita, Kansas. The company was established in 2002 by brothers Bill and Randy Simon and restaurateur Scott Redler, with the participation and namesake of their father, Frederick L. “Freddy” Simon. Its first restaurant opened in Wichita on August 26, 2002, near 21st Street and Tyler Road, and that original location remains in operation. The brand combines a relatively focused menu with a deliberately nostalgic restaurant environment. Its core food offering consists of thin, griddled steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, shoestring fries, and frozen custard. Custard is served in forms including cups, cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, and “concrete” desserts mixed with toppings. The menu has generally remained consistent across the chain, emphasizing repeatable preparation and recognizable signature items rather than frequent menu reinvention. Freddy’s identity draws on the postwar American restaurant culture that Freddy Simon experienced and valued. Restaurant interiors and branding evoke the late 1940s and early 1950s, while the menu is framed around the kind of uncomplicated American meals that Freddy served his family. This positioning places the chain between conventional quick-service restaurants and more experiential fast-casual concepts: service is designed to be relatively quick, but the brand also stresses made-to-order food, frozen custard preparation, hospitality, and a family-oriented atmosphere. The business began expanding beyond its first Wichita restaurant in 2004 after developing a loyal local customer base. It subsequently grew through franchising and company development across the United States. In addition to conventional standalone restaurants, Freddy’s has operated in non-traditional venues, including an airport location at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and a location at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. By September 2025, the chain had about 560 locations in 37 U.S. states. Leadership and ownership changed as the company expanded. Co-founder Bill Simon died in 2016 after an illness, and Freddy Simon died in 2020 at age 95. Private-equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners acquired the business in March 2021 for an undisclosed amount. Chris Dull became CEO in May 2021, succeeding co-founder Randy Simon, and Brian Wise became COO in August 2022, succeeding co-founder Scott Redler in operational leadership. In November 2022, Freddy's signed a master franchise and development agreement to support entry into Canada, with plans for development across nine provinces. In 2025, Rhône Group agreed to acquire the chain from Thompson Street Capital Partners at an enterprise value of approximately $700 million; the transaction was reported as completed in September 2025.
History
Freddy's traces its identity to Frederick L. “Freddy” Simon, a Wichita-area restaurateur and World War II veteran. Simon grew up in Colwich, Kansas, and served in the U.S. Army infantry during the war, including with the 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific. He received a Purple Heart for combat wounds and a Bronze Star for valor. After returning home, he spent decades in the hospitality industry, developing relationships with restaurant operators and contributing the personal history and values that later shaped the Freddy's concept. The chain was founded by Simon's sons, Randy and Bill Simon, together with their friend Scott Redler, an experienced restaurateur. Freddy Simon lent his name to the business and participated as a partner. The first restaurant opened in Wichita on August 26, 2002, near the intersection of 21st Street and Tyler Road. Its concept centered on familiar “all-American” meals: griddled steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs, fries, and freshly made frozen custard. The founders paired this menu with an environment inspired by fast-casual restaurants of the late 1940s and early 1950s. The nostalgic design was not merely decorative. Freddy's presented the postwar period as a reference point for optimism, pride, family time, and dependable quality. The menu also remained comparatively focused, allowing restaurants to emphasize consistency while building recognition around steakburgers and frozen custard desserts. The chain attracted a loyal customer base in Wichita and began expanding in 2004. Growth subsequently proceeded through a combination of company development and franchising across the United States. Freddy's broadened its physical footprint beyond conventional roadside restaurants by operating in non-traditional venues. Examples cited for the chain include Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and Busch Stadium in St. Louis. These locations extended the brand into travel and sports environments while retaining its core menu and visual identity. The company experienced important leadership changes during its expansion. Bill Simon died on December 17, 2016, at age 61, following an illness. Freddy Simon died on October 25, 2020, at age 95. In March 2021, Thompson Street Capital Partners acquired Freddy's for an undisclosed amount. Chris Dull was appointed CEO in May 2021, succeeding Randy Simon, and Brian Wise became COO in August 2022, succeeding Scott Redler in operational leadership. International development became an explicit part of the company's strategy in November 2022, when Freddy's signed a master franchise and development agreement covering Canada. The plan contemplated expansion into nine provinces, with the first Canadian restaurant targeted for 2025. The reference material states that the chain had about 560 locations in 37 U.S. states as of September 10, 2025. In August 2025, Rhône Group agreed to purchase Freddy's from Thompson Street Capital Partners for a reported enterprise value of about $700 million, and the transaction was reported as completed in September 2025. The brand remains active and continues to operate under the Freddy's name.
- 2025
Rhône Group acquisition
[1]Rhône Group agreed to acquire Freddy's from Thompson Street Capital Partners, with reported enterprise value of approximately $700 million.
- 2022
Canadian development agreement signed
[1]A master franchise and development agreement was signed for planned expansion into nine Canadian provinces.
- 2021
Ownership changes to Thompson Street Capital Partners
[1]Thompson Street Capital Partners acquired Freddy's in March in a transaction whose price was not disclosed.
- 2020
Freddy Simon dies
[1]Namesake Freddy Simon died at age 95 on October 25.
- 2016
Bill Simon dies
[1]Co-founder Bill Simon died at age 61 on December 17.
- 2004
Expansion begins
[1]Freddy's began expanding beyond its original Wichita location after establishing a loyal customer base.
- 2002
First Freddy's restaurant opens
[1]The inaugural restaurant opened in Wichita, Kansas, on August 26, 2002.
Products and positioning
Fast-casual American dining built around made-to-order steakburgers, frozen custard, nostalgic postwar styling, and a consistent family-oriented experience.
Burgers · 2002
Steakburgers
Freddy's signature burgers are thin, griddled steakburgers served in a classic American fast-food format. They form the center of the savory menu and support the brand's emphasis on straightforward, made-to-order meals.
Desserts · 2002
Frozen custard
Frozen custard is a core Freddy's offering, served in cups and cones and used in sundaes, shakes, malts, and specialty blended desserts. Its presence alongside steakburgers differentiates the chain from burger restaurants focused primarily on savory products.
Desserts · 2002
Concrete custard desserts
Concrete desserts combine frozen custard with mix-ins and toppings to create thick, spoonable specialty desserts. They are among the chain's most recognizable dessert formats and allow customers to customize a traditional custard base with additional flavors.
Hot dogs · 2002
Vienna Beef hot dogs
Vienna Beef hot dogs provide a second established savory platform beyond the steakburger. Their inclusion reinforces Freddy's retro American diner positioning and gives the menu a familiar alternative to burgers.
Chicken
Chicken sandwiches
Chicken sandwiches extend the menu beyond the brand's original burger-and-hot-dog focus while retaining the quick-service format. They are presented as part of the chain's broader American fast-casual menu.
Sides · 2002
Shoestring fries
Shoestring fries are the principal side associated with Freddy's savory menu. Their thin format complements steakburgers and hot dogs and contributes to the chain's classic roadside-restaurant aesthetic.
Brand decisions
2025
Sale to Rhône GroupM&ABackground
After roughly four years under Thompson Street Capital Partners, Freddy's was placed under new private-equity ownership.
Action taken
Rhône Group agreed to acquire Freddy's, with the transaction reported as having an enterprise value of approximately $700 million and closing in September 2025.
Aftermath
The brand remained active under new ownership.
Enterprise value. $700 million (Reported August 2025; transaction finalized September 2025)
2022
Authorize planned Canadian expansionStrategyBackground
Freddy's sought to extend its franchised restaurant model beyond the United States.
Action taken
The company signed a master franchise and development agreement covering nine Canadian provinces, with initial restaurants planned for 2025.
Aftermath
Canada became the brand's principal announced international development market.
2021
Sale to Thompson Street Capital PartnersM&ABackground
Freddy's entered a new ownership phase as the founding family and management team continued scaling the chain.
Action taken
Thompson Street Capital Partners purchased Freddy's in March 2021.
Aftermath
The acquisition was followed by the appointment of Chris Dull as CEO and continued development of the restaurant network.
2004
Begin broader restaurant expansionStrategyBackground
After the first Wichita restaurant developed a loyal customer base, Freddy's moved beyond its initial local footprint.
Action taken
The company began expanding the chain to additional locations, using its focused menu and nostalgic restaurant concept as the foundation for growth.
Aftermath
The decision established the expansion path that eventually produced a multi-state U.S. restaurant network.
Recent events
Reported
Freddy's and Convoy of Hope announce November fundraiser[3]
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced a month-long giveback with charity partner Convoy of Hope. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 1, guests can round up their purchases in-restaurant and at the drive-thru to give to Convoy of Hope.
Reported
Freddy's announces limited-time menu items[4]
Freddy's announced three new frozen custard treats and the return of its French Onion Steakburger, with the limited-time offers scheduled to start Nov. 4, 2026, at participating locations.
Reported
Freddy’s announces a $1 frozen-custard discount[5]
Freddy’s announced that participating locations nationwide would offer a $1 discount on frozen custard treats on August 8 for National Frozen Custard Day. The article describes a planned promotion.
Sources6 sources
- 1Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgersen.wikipedia.org
- 2Freddy's official websitefreddys.com
- 3Freddy's 与 Convoy of Hope 宣布开展 11 月募捐活动prnewswire.com
- 4Freddy's宣布推出限时菜单产品prnewswire.com
- 5Freddy’s 宣布冷冻蛋奶甜品减价 1 美元prnewswire.com
- 6Freddy's Announces Sixth-Annual Kids In Need Foundation Partnership for National Frozen Custard Dayprnewswire.com
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