where did freddy’s frozen custard originate? Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers began in Wichita, Kansas, where brothers Bill and Randy Simon and their business partner Scott Redler opened the first restaurant in 2002.
The name honors the brothers’ father, Fred “Freddy” Simon. The restaurant paired steakburgers and fries with frozen custard, bringing a classic American diner-style menu to its hometown.
Here’s what is known about the founders, the name, and the company’s Wichita roots. You’ll also learn how Freddy’s custard differs from ordinary ice cream and how to choose among its frozen treats.
where did freddy’s frozen custard originate
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers originated in Wichita, Kansas. Brothers Bill and Randy Simon, together with business partner Scott Redler, opened the first restaurant there in 2002. Wichita is the starting point of the restaurant chain—not a claim that the founders invented frozen custard itself.
The original idea brought together two familiar American restaurant favorites: steakburgers and frozen custard. Freddy’s built its identity around that pairing, along with fries and other casual-dining staples. The company later expanded beyond Wichita, but the Kansas city remains central to its origin story.
That distinction matters because questions about Freddy’s “origin” can refer to different things. The restaurant brand began in Wichita; the dessert style has a longer history that predates the company.
Who founded Freddy’s?
The restaurant was founded by Bill Simon, Randy Simon, and Scott Redler. Bill and Randy were brothers, while Redler was their business partner. Their collaboration created the Wichita restaurant that became the foundation for Freddy’s.
Fred “Freddy” Simon, the father of Bill and Randy, inspired the restaurant’s name. Freddy’s company history associates him with the values the brand wanted to represent, including hard work and hospitality. The name is a tribute to him, rather than the name of one of the restaurant’s founders.
It is easy to mix up Fred Simon and the people who opened the business. Fred is the person honored by the name; Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler are the founders associated with launching the restaurant.
Why is the restaurant called Freddy’s?
“Freddy’s” comes from Fred Simon’s nickname. Giving the restaurant his name connected the new business to the Simon family and to the founders’ personal inspiration. It also gave the chain a warm, familiar name that fits its old-fashioned diner theme.
The full brand name, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, tells customers what the restaurant is known for. “Frozen Custard” points to its signature dessert, while “Steakburgers” describes its main burger offering. The name has stayed closely tied to those two parts of the menu.
Some people assume Freddy’s is named after a founder called Freddy. That is not the story: the founders are Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler, and Freddy was their father, Fred Simon.
What makes Freddy’s frozen custard different?
Frozen custard is a frozen dairy dessert made with milk or cream, sugar, and egg yolks. Those yolks help create a rich, smooth texture. Freddy’s serves custard as a central part of its menu, not just as an occasional dessert.
Custard and ice cream share basic ingredients, but recipes and production methods can differ. In the United States, frozen custard is generally defined by its egg-yolk content and is often served at a warmer temperature than hard-packed ice cream. That combination can make it feel dense and creamy. Specific recipes and serving methods vary by business, so avoid assuming every custard tastes exactly alike.
Freddy’s frozen custard is served in several forms, including cones, dishes, shakes, and blended treats. The format changes how you eat it, but the custard itself is the base. A cone or dish lets you focus on the plain custard or selected flavors, while a shake or blended dessert combines it with other ingredients.
Custard, ice cream, and blended treats compared
| Option | What it is | Texture and experience | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen custard | A frozen dairy dessert made with egg yolks | Often rich, smooth, and dense | Trying Freddy’s signature dessert in a simple form |
| Ice cream | A frozen dairy dessert with a wide range of recipes | Texture varies by recipe and serving style | People looking for familiar frozen-dessert flavors |
| Shake | Custard blended with milk and flavorings | Drinkable and creamy | A dessert you can sip |
| Concrete or blended custard treat | Custard mixed with toppings or other ingredients | Thick, with added pieces or flavors | Combining custard with mix-ins |
The table offers general descriptions rather than a guarantee about every item or recipe. Menus and preparation can vary, and a blended dessert’s texture depends on its ingredients and how it is made.
How Freddy’s grew from a Wichita restaurant
The company’s history began with one local restaurant, then expanded into a larger chain. Its Wichita opening in 2002 established the concept and the name. As more restaurants opened, Freddy’s carried the same basic combination—steakburgers, fries, and frozen custard—into new communities.
That growth helped turn a local origin story into a recognizable restaurant brand. But expansion does not change where the first Freddy’s opened. The answer remains Wichita, Kansas, even if a customer’s nearest restaurant is far from the city.
It is also helpful to separate a restaurant chain’s founding from the history of its food. Freddy’s helped popularize its own version of the steakburger-and-custard restaurant experience. It did not create the broader traditions of frozen custard or American burger restaurants.
What to order if you want to try the custard
If you have not had Freddy’s custard before, start with a simple serving. A cone or dish makes it easier to notice the dessert’s texture and flavor before toppings or mix-ins take over. Choose a flavor shown on the menu at your location, since offerings can vary.
- Pick a serving style. Choose a cone or dish for a straightforward taste, a shake for a drinkable dessert, or a blended option if you want mix-ins.
- Decide how much you want added. Toppings and flavorings can change the sweetness, texture, and richness. A plain serving is a useful starting point if you want to judge the custard itself.
- Check the local menu. Restaurant locations may differ in available flavors and limited-time items. Confirm what is offered before ordering if you have a particular flavor in mind.
- Consider dietary needs. Frozen custard contains dairy and egg ingredients. Check the restaurant’s current ingredient and allergen information if you have an allergy or dietary restriction.
A practical detail many first-time customers miss: a thick blended custard treat is not the best way to assess the plain custard’s texture. Mix-ins can make a dessert more fun, but they also hide the qualities that distinguish the base. Try a simple serving first if the custard itself is what interests you.
Common questions about Freddy’s origin
Was the first Freddy’s restaurant in Wichita?
Yes. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers began in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002. The first restaurant established the concept that later expanded into a chain.
Who is Freddy in Freddy’s Frozen Custard?
Freddy refers to Fred “Freddy” Simon, the father of founders Bill and Randy Simon. The restaurant’s name honors him.
Did Freddy’s invent frozen custard?
No. Freddy’s did not invent frozen custard. The chain opened in 2002 and serves its own version of a dessert style that existed before the restaurant was founded.
Is Freddy’s from Kansas?
Yes. The first Freddy’s opened in Wichita, Kansas, and the company’s origin is rooted there. Its later expansion brought the brand to other places.
When did Freddy’s open?
The first Freddy’s restaurant opened in 2002. That is the founding year commonly given for the chain.
Is Freddy’s custard the same as ice cream?
They are related frozen desserts, but frozen custard includes egg yolks and is often known for a smooth, rich texture. Recipes and serving methods vary, so the difference you notice depends on the products being compared.
How to tell the origin story accurately
A clear account keeps three facts separate: the restaurant opened in Wichita, its founders were Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler, and its name honors Fred “Freddy” Simon. These details answer most questions about the brand’s beginnings without confusing its family connection with its founders.
It also helps to avoid saying that Freddy’s “invented” custard. The company’s origin is its Wichita restaurant and the menu it developed around steakburgers and frozen custard. The dessert itself has a broader history, so crediting the chain with its invention would overstate the claim.
If you are telling someone where the brand started, the concise version is simple: Freddy’s began in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, founded by Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler, and named for the brothers’ father, Fred “Freddy” Simon.
where did freddy’s frozen custard originate? The chain began in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, founded by Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler. Its name honors the brothers’ father, Fred “Freddy” Simon.
To try the dessert itself, start with a cone or dish before choosing a shake or a treat with mix-ins. Check your local menu for current flavors and ingredient details.