Latest news with #Freddy'sFrozenCustard&Steakburgers
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Freddy's to open first Canadian restaurant
This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will open its first international location in Winnipeg, Canada, on Tuesday, according to a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive. The fast-growing burger brand is developing its Canadian footprint through a master franchise agreement with North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, and the first unit has been in the works for some time. Freddy's has grown rapidly since its 2021 acquisition by Thompson Street Capital, according to its franchise disclosure document. In 2022, the brand said it was targeting a total unit count of about 1,000. At the start of 2022, the chain had 421 total units. At the beginning of this year it had 550, with a net growth of 33 units in 2024 alone, according to the FDD. It expects to open another 70 units within the next fiscal year, per the FDD. The chain's franchisee units have an average unit volume of almost $1.9 million. It outperforms national chains like Burger King, which had a franchised AUV of about $1.7 million in 2024, according to its FDD. In August 2024, the chain opened a new training and support center in Kansas, dedicated to preparing managers and franchisees for further expansion of the brand. The Canadian development is in keeping with that overall strategy and comes at a moment of relative strength for U.S. fast casual brands, which have tended to outperform QSR and casual dining in recent years Recommended Reading Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers launches training facility to support growth Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yelp unveils its top 25 burger chains in the US: See the list
International Burger Day is on May 28, and to celebrate, Yelp has compiled a list of the top 25 burger chains in the U.S. Each chain on the list has more than 100 locations, operate in multiple states, and are primarily categorized under "burgers" on Yelp, according to the review site. "Whether you're craving a classic cheeseburger, a gourmet stack, or a nostalgic drive-thru experience, there's a burger brand that hits the spot," Yelp said in a news release. According to Yelp, the list features nationwide favorites, iconic staples and emerging brands alike. Did your favorite burger chain crack the top 25? Here's the full ranking, according to Yelp: In-N-Out Burger The Habit Burger Grill Shake Shack Culver's Islands Restaurants Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Five Guys Burgers & Fries Wayback Burgers MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Red Robin Jack in the Box Cook Out BurgerFi Whataburger Wahlburgers Smashburger McDonald's Sonic Drive-In Burger King White Castle Fatburger Wendy's Carl's Jr. Checkers / Rally's Steak 'n Shake In-N-Out has more 119,00 Yelp reviews across more than 400 locations and receives special praise for its "secret menu," while fans also highlight customizable options like Protein Style or 3x3, according to Yelp. Habit Burger, meanwhile, has "quickly expanded across the western and eastern U.S." with a laid-back vibe, Yelp writes, noting that the food "consistently delivers on quality and taste." According to data compiled by Yelp, Culver's tops the list in both the Midwest and the South, while Shake Shack flexed its national appeal, leading in the Northeast and ranking in the top 5 in every other region. "While some brands have gone national, regional loyalty still runs deep," Yelp said in a news release. In-N-Out continues to be the top choice in the West, while Cook Out remains a popular option in the South. Yelp also notes that fast-casual chains like Habit Burger Grill and Freddy's are climbing the ranks in multiple regions, "signaling a shift toward quality-driven menus and nostalgic vibes." Here's a look at the top 5 burger chains by region: In-N-Out Burger Shake Shack The Habit Burger Grill Culver's Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Culver's Shake Shack Five Guys Burgers & Fries Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Wahlburgers Culver's Shake Shack Cook Out Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Five Guys Burgers & Fries Shake Shack The Habit Burger Grill Five Guys Burgers & Fries Wahlburgers Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yelp unveils top 25 burger chains in US: See the full list
Calgary Herald
02-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Fast-casual food chain Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers to open in Okotoks
Article content Fast-casual chain Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is set to open its first location in western Canada, located in Okotoks, in mid-September. Article content Article content Construction on the Southridge Drive and Westland Street location will begin in June with Freddy's team members and mascots participating in the Okotoks Parade on Saturday, June 14th. Article content 'We feel thrilled to be opening the first Freddy's location in Western Canada and look forward to continuing our growth in the area over the next several years. Freddy's is committed to providing high-quality menu items cooked fresh to order in a clean and relaxing environment,' said one of the Alberta-area Freddy's franchise owners Tim Tomanik in a Monday news release. Article content Article content 'When you walk in, you can expect a warm greeting, and you'll experience genuine hospitality we call the 'Freddy's Way.'' Article content Article content Freddy's has a Master Franchise and Development Agreement in Canada with veteran Canadian franchisees Jim Werschler and Gregg Most of North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. The Alberta area franchise owners include Tomanik and local Okotoks residents, Brad and Tammy Gurr. Article content 'Brad and I are ecstatic to see friends, family, and new guests visit and try a new restaurant concept. Our family-friendly atmosphere will give guests a place to connect over delicious food and create their own treasured memories.' Article content The Okotoks location will be Canada's second Freddy's. Article content In addition to in-person dining and takeout service, the restaurant will include a drive-through and mobile ordering. Article content The fast-casual restaurant boasts over 550 locations, and has received several accolades, including being named number 60 on Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers, number 59 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, number 62 on Technomic's Top 500 and number 7 on Yelp's 50 Fastest Growing Brands. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Freddy's Canada (@freddyscanada) Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Proud to wear the Freddy's colours'
Custard churning training has begun. More than 80 Winnipeg staff are learning 'the Freddy's way' ahead of opening day at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. On Tuesday, the chain will unveil its first Canadian location. A red awning and Freddy's signage have appeared at 1615 Regent Ave. West. 'I'm … very ecstatic, got a big smile on my face,' said franchise co-owner John Hall. 'Proud to wear the Freddy's colours.' SUPPLIED Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in Kansas, counts more than 550 U.S. locations. SUPPLIED The site will be the first of at least three Manitoba locations, Hall said. He and business partner Turner Ethans have letters of intent out for two other spaces; Hall declined to share the locations. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in Kansas, counts more than 550 U.S. locations. It's grown since 2002 through franchise agreements. One of its staple foods — frozen custard — is a treat Manitobans had to travel south of the border to consume. The dessert is like ice cream but made with egg yolk and more butterfat. New Winnipeg hires are also studying the art of a steakburger, with its thin patties of lean ground beef. 'We spend an awful lot of time and training doing that,' Hall said. 'We take a lot of pride in it, with our crispy edges on the burgers.' Between inking a deal with Freddy's and the upcoming opening day, the Canada-U.S. trade war erupted. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Tariffs affected imports of specialized equipment, Hall said, adding Freddy's headquarters has been supportive through the process. Any products that can be bought in Canada are, including the burger meat, buns and frozen custard materials, Hall said. He called it a 'big honour' to be the first Canadian Freddy's location. (Another restaurant is being built in Alberta.) Mark LeBeau is waiting for opening day. He has dinner plans — and a frozen custard in mind. 'It's going to be fantastic,' he said. He tried Freddy's twice while in Fargo, N.D., last summer. He opted for meals sans-custard, but he's had the cool snack elsewhere in the United States. 'It's nice to see these new chains trying to invest in the city.'–Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association Freddy's American roots aren't a huge bother, he said: 'I look at it from the perspective of everyone involved. Everyone (employed) here is local, and that's important to me.' Hall previously led a pizza franchise off Regent Avenue for two decades. Freddy's is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, said Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association. 'It's nice to see these new chains trying to invest in the city,' Jeffrey added. 'This shows they're confident that they can be successful here in Manitoba.' It might ignite other chains' confidence, leading to growth, he said, adding he's noticed a trend of eateries opening near Regent and Nairn avenues (such as Nuburger, Wayback Burgers, Firehouse Subs and Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall). 'These two areas, notoriously in the past, have been a little bit on the stagnant (side) coming out of the (COVID-19) pandemic,' Jeffrey said. 'So, really excited to see that area continuously growing.' The goal, Jeffrey added, is to focus on confidence building within the industry after 'monumental challenges' borne from the pandemic. The strip of businesses Freddy's joins is relatively new. A shawarma place next door, Boustan, drew a long lineup upon opening — and it brought new clients to Steel N Ink, a neighbouring business, said piercer Calista Chase. She expects Freddy's to attract a crowd. As a result, another round of new customers might pass through Steel N Ink's doors. 'I'm excited,' she said of the chain's arrival. Beginning Tuesday, Freddy's will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The hours could change depending on demand, Hall said. The space fits roughly 50 seats and has a drive-thru. Freddy's signed a master franchise agreement with North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers in 2022; North 49 committed to develop and sell at least 20 Freddy's locations within Canada. Hall, through his company Steakburger North, partnered with North 49 to open at least three Freddy's shops in Manitoba. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
"I ain't got nothing to say to Donald Trump": May Day organizers say their message is for Americans
After some seven years as a member of the Union of Southern Service Workers, Jamila Allen is a seasoned labor organizer, having led three successful strikes during her time working at a Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Durham, North Carolina. Through one single-day strike and a subsequent weeklong strike, she and her co-workers won a COVID-19 safety policy for their store and 33 other locations during the height of the pandemic. That experience taught her a lesson that she now shares with everyone, hoping that they'll recognize their own strength and the fact that they're not alone. "Don't be afraid to strike," Allen said in a phone interview with Salon. "Don't be afraid to organize. You have power and you have numbers. You have somebody to back you up." On May 1, Allen's chapter of the Union of Southern Service Workers will be participating in a national day of action, hosting a rally at 4 p.m. followed by a march to Bicentennial Plaza in Raleigh for higher pay and increased respect in the workplace — and against the billions of dollars in proposed Medicaid cuts Congress is considering. Their efforts will be part of more than 1,000 May Day Strong events in more than 850 cities in the United States and abroad. The goal of the national day of action is "to raise awareness and get people on board for the fight," Allen said. "The first May Day, there were thousands of people out there. You still got to fight to this day with just as many thousands — maybe more — almost for the same purpose that May Day started with." With its U.S. roots in workers' fight for an eight-hour workday in 1886, May Day has long been a national day of action for union organizers and workers' rights activists to protest for better conditions, protections and pay. But this year activists say the fight is more important than ever in the face of an executive branch challenging the rights of workers, immigrants and queer people, as well as a legislative branch that appears unwilling to challenge the president. They're calling for greater solidarity, and their target audience is their fellow Americans — not President Donald Trump. "I ain't got nothing to say to Donald Trump. It's clear," Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, told Salon in a phone interview. "I got everything to say to my fellow Americans who want to create a society [where] they can make a fair wage, where they can have universal healthcare, where they are sheltered in homes that they can afford, where they can walk their children to a fully-resourced school down the block," she added. "That's the America that we're building." In his first 100 days in office, Trump has initiated a vastly unpopular tariff policy that will likely raise the prices of goods amid the nation's affordability crisis, fired or laid off tens of thousands of federal workers; he has also authorized executive actions targeting LGBTQ+ Americans and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. One of his largest actions has been his campaign-promised immigration crackdown that's seized and detained American citizens, documented immigrants and tourists, while overwhelming courts across the country with active litigation over mass deportation efforts. Amid the onslaught, Trump's approval rating has fallen 8% since his inauguration to just 44%, one of the lowest ratings of any president in decades, according to a New York Times average of nearly 200 polls, including Ipsos, Emerson College and Marist College surveys. Davis Gates said that May Day activists seek to harness that growing dissatisfaction and galvanize other Americans around protecting themselves from an administration that's dismantling "everything we've understood, resisted and struggled for." Through protests, rallies, meetings with officials and trainings, the coalition wants to build collective power and show others that solidarity will be the tool that allows them to resist and advance a society that "clarifies the values of justice," "equity" and "the common good." "We want an America that doesn't yet exist," Davis Gates said. "We have to show ourselves as a space, and that's what May 1 is. It's a coming-out party to show ourselves as a group of neighbors willing to create a community coalition in the face of a growing threat to all of us." In Seattle, May Day organizers have united a broad swath of advocacy groups, including major local unions like the United Auto Workers and United Food and Commercial Workers Union, immigrant rights groups and political organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America, to drive home their broad list of demands. Among those demands is a call for the abolition of the Northwest Detention Center and of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement writ large, which the community is rallying around following the ICE arrests and detentions of two local labor organizers. "For us, it really has become a fundamental 'fight back' event, and we think that it's going to be the biggest it's been in years," Rigo Valdez, organizing director of MLK Labor, a Washington affiliate of the national AFL-CIO, told Salon. "The Trump administration has really attacked both workers, immigrants and our social infrastructure, so it's bringing a much broader base and coalition together to fight back." Valdez said the coalition is anticipating thousands of attendees to join in their planned action: a march through the city on May 1 starting at Cal Anderson Park. The protest will cap weeks of lead-up events from Know Your Rights trainings for immigrant workers, defense trainings and panels on LGBTQ+ rights. The focus of their efforts, Valdez said, is to resist the Trump administration's "attempt to take over" public infrastructure and privatize federal jobs as well as its attacks on federal workers, immigrants, trans people and other members of their community. But he also said he hopes that other Americans, particularly those with "buyer's remorse," will see the actions occurring in Seattle and around the country as motivation to stand up and defend the nation's core principle of democracy. "In order to beat back these attacks, we have to come together — all segments and all facets of our community — to defend things that we took for granted, like due process and the separation between the judicial and executive branch," Valdez said in a phone interview, referencing the recent arrest of a Wisconsin judge on charges of obstructing ICE. "If we don't unite, first they'll come for immigrants, and then they'll come for workers, and then they'll come for you," he warned. For Neidi Dominguez, executive director of workers' rights group Organized Power in Numbers, this year's May Day action hits especially close to home. After more than 20 years living undocumented in the U.S., the Mexico-born activist became a naturalized citizen last May. But the Trump administration's targeting of immigrants has left her afraid, both for herself and her twin, two-year-olds. Dominguez told Salon that the energy around the state of the U.S. reminds her of the darkness and outrage around the proposed anti-immigrant legislation progressing in Congress in 2006, which spawned massive nationwide protests that she had participated in. Now, however, the moment has an added heaviness because the top-down attacks are targeting working people of all walks of life. "I have made my life here, and I want this country to become the country that it was meant to be and the experiment of democracy that we've been for the last 237 years," Dominguez said in a phone interview. "I believe in that experiment, and I want to be part of making it a reality, and I know deep in my soul that this isn't it." "It really feels like we are losing the country as we know it, and it's beyond attacks on immigrants," she added. On May Day, Dominguez's organization is helping to anchor four actions across the Sun Belt: the Raleigh, North Carolina rally and march; a 9 a.m. march at the State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona; a 5 p.m. rally with speakers and march in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she's based; and immigrant and worker's rights trainings and a rally in Houston, Texas. Activists are hoping to see thousands of people turn out to each of the marches and at least 100 workers attend the trainings, she said. At a time when it feels as though "those in power are betting on us being too afraid and too overwhelmed by the shock and awe," Dominguez said it's important for Americans to show up and make it known they won't go down without a fight — despite how scared they may be or how deeply they may be feeling the impact of the government's actions. She said she hopes others take away that they're welcome, that they own this fight, and that, as working people, they all feel the same pain at the hands of the government no matter who they voted for in 2024. "This May Day is us marching for ourselves and hoping to inspire more working people to turn that anger and fear into action and to stand up together," she said, adding: "We just want to remind working class people that we have the power by coming together."
