Florida diners with an urge for cooked-to-order steakburgers, Vienna beef hot dogs, shoestring French fries, and frozen custard treats with a 1950s vibe may be in luck.
Freddy’s (formerly Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers) has announced plans for 60 new restaurants in 2026. No locations have been listed, but in a July 7 release, the company said it was prioritizing growth over the next few years in the Northeast, the Rust Belt, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, Northern California… and Florida.
There are currently eight Freddy’s locations in Florida. At least two previous locations, in Pensacola and Jacksonville, have closed.
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Freddy’s was acquired by Rhône, a major private equity firm, last year, with plans to continue the expansion started a few years ago. The Wichita, Kansas-based burger chain had about 400 locations in 2021, but after a push for more franchises from Rhône and the previous owner, Thompson Street Capital Partners, Freddy’s is well on the way to hitting its goal of 600 restaurants in 2026.
Where are the new Freddy’s locations coming to Florida?
Freddy’s has not released any locations or dates. The company has not yet responded to a request for details.
There have been multiple reports of Florida Freddy’s on the way in recent years. In 2021, there were plans for seven new restaurants just in Central Florida, according to Trade & Industry Development, and Style reported on a planned Mount Dora location in 2024.
The first Freddy’s in Florida opened in Bradenton in 2013. It was intended to be the first of 11 Freddy’s locations in Manatee, Lee, Collier and Sarasota counties.
“The rest of Florida is up for grabs,” the local franchise operator, Cash Shelton, said at the time. “Usually after a Freddy’s store opens in a new market or state there is a wave of franchise interest and I would expect the same there in Florida.”
The last new Florida location to open was in Lake Wales in March 2024.
What is Freddy’s?
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers was co-founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002 by Scott Redler and Bill, Randy, and Freddy Simon. They offered all-American food with a retro, family-friendly diner feel. It began franchising two years later.
The fast-casual restaurant offers steakburgers, including a prime rib version and steakburger tacos, chicken sandwiches and tenders, veggie burgers, all-beef hot dogs, bowls, and more.
Sides include tator tots, cheese curds, onion rings, kettle chips, and shoestring fries, either on their own or covered with chili and cheese. Freddy’s offers a variety of frozen custard treats and a featured Custard of the Week.
Where can I find a Freddy’s near me?
Freddy’s currently operates more than 580 locations in 37 states and Canada. The Florida restaurants are in:
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Freddy’s to open 60 steakburger restaurants in 2026. Any in Florida?
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Pensacola News Journal
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By C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
