Freddy’s to expand into Canada
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is set to grow north of the border.
The quick-service restaurant brand has signed a master franchise and development agreement to develop restaurants across nine Canadian provinces (excluding Quebec), marking Freddy’s entry into the country.
The deal is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strategically expand across target markets throughout North America. Since the start of the year, Freddy's has added 140 units to its pipeline in both new and existing markets and is poised to continue the momentum well into 2023.
The expansion into Canada is led by veteran franchisees Jim Werschler and Gregg Most of North 49 North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. The agreement will see the group both develop on their own and initiate master franchising activity in Canada with an initial agreement to develop at least 20 Freddy's restaurants.
With backgrounds in large scale development for multiple quick-service restaurant brands, Werschler and Most have worked together for over 16 years as franchise partners in North America. The group joined the Freddy's franchise network earlier this year to help the brand enter into the Dakotas with a store in Fargo, North Dakota. They plan to build three additional locations in North Dakota markets, including Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck.
“Gregg and Jim are well-known and highly respected franchisees, especially within Canada, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with them as they introduce Freddy's to their home country," said Andrew Thengvall, chief development officer at Freddy's. "We work hard to continuously improve upon our franchise business model to adapt to the ever-changing fast casual landscape, and this milestone is a testament to those ongoing efforts as we further propel our growth mission on a global scale.”
[Read More: Freddy’s new prototype has no indoor dining]
"Jim and I have been long-time business partners in growing our franchise portfolio and after seeing the success of our North Dakota location, we felt it made sense to continue our partnership and introduce Freddy's to Canada," said Gregg Most, franchise owner of North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. "We're excited to bring this iconic, forward-looking brand to our country for the first time, while simultaneously bringing other franchisees on board to expand Freddy's Canadian footprint."
Founded in Wichita, Kan., Freddy’s has more than 450 locations across 36 states.