Franchising

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers ending 2026 with over 60 openings

Photo: Freddy's

July 7, 2026

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Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is on track to open about 60 restaurants in 2026, pushing the fast-casual chain close to the 600-location milestone.

The Wichita-based brand is accelerating its growth by moving beyond its traditional standalone model. Freddy's is placing a renewed focus on endcap and in-line restaurant prototypes, which offer greater real estate flexibility and lower entry costs for franchise partners.

Initial investment ranges begin at $854,834 for an in-line restaurant, compared to $1,586,334 for a traditional standalone building, Andrew Thengvall, chief development officer of Freddy's, said in a company press release.

"As Freddy's continues to grow, we remain focused on supporting our franchisees through new restaurant prototypes, greater real estate flexibility and development strategies that help position the brand for sustainable growth," he added.

Existing operators are driving a significant portion of the expansion, with roughly one-third of the brand's current franchisees expanding into additional territories.

As part of its multiyear development strategy, the company is prioritizing growth across the Northeast, Rust Belt, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Northern California and Florida. The brand is also seeking single- and multi-unit franchisees for both domestic expansion and international growth across Canada and Mexico.

Founded in 2002, Freddy's has grown to more than 580 locations. The concept specializes in cooked-to-order steakburgers, shoestring fries and freshly churned frozen custard.