Freddy's aims for 800 restaurants by 2026

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is not pulling back from its rapid expansion.

The fast-casual chain known for burgers and ice cream opened a company-record 62 new restaurants across the United States last year, including its 500th location. As a result of development agreements signed in 2023 with both new and existing franchisees, Freddy's is set to further expand its footprint in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and more. It currently has over 130 locations in development.

Freddy’s plans to open between 60 to 70 locations in the U.S. and Canada in 2024. The chain says its goal is to reach 800 operating stores by 2026. (In December, the chain signed a development agreement to debut five new Freddy's restaurants in Alberta.)

"We maintained strong growth momentum throughout 2023, and I'm incredibly proud of the milestones we've been able to achieve," said Chris Dull, president & CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. "The success is a testament to our dedicated team and passionate network of franchisees who are committed to operating The Freddy's Way and ensuring their restaurants promote our three core pillars – quality, hospitality and cleanliness. We are fortunate to have best-in-class operators as partners, and it's incredibly rewarding to see them open their new Freddy's restaurants."

In addition to a wave of new restaurants, Freddy's opened its first restaurant within a Major League Baseball stadium at the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium, and unveiled a new restaurant prototype at its corporate-owned location in Belleville, Illinois. The format features a standard drive-thru and an enhanced mobile pick-up window to meet the increased consumer demand for off-premise dining. 

Founded in Wichita, Kan, in 2002, Freddy’s operates more than 500 locations across 36 states.