We are thrilled to share that we have secured a new long-term lease with Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for their new National Training & Innovation Center. The 23,000-square-foot facility will be located at the Cypress Business Center at 3020 N. Cypress Drive in Wichita, KS.
The fast-casual restaurant concept was established in Wichita in 2002. The brand has since expanded across 36 states and, as of next year, Canada. The state-of-the-art training facility is designed to enhance training and innovation programs for Freddy’s restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“We are pleased to bring Freddy’s National Training & Innovation Center to Cypress Business Center,” said Cory Harkleroad, HJH Investments CEO. “As a company headquartered in Wichita ourselves, we are thrilled to be a part of the growth of Freddy’s and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact both of our companies can make to our great city.”
Freddy’s will occupy half of the main and second floors of the Cypress Business Center and will have an opportunity for future expansion. In a news release, Freddy’s President and CEO Chris Dull said that the new training center “will feature cutting-edge equipment and technology, dedicated classrooms and collaboration spaces with a simulated Freddy's restaurant for expanded innovation capabilities and hands-on training.”
Dull told the Wichita Business Journal that “every franchisee for the company- which is expected to open its 500th restaurant in September- will come through Wichita for specialized training once the facility is operational around mid-2024. Local executive offices at the location are then set to be completed by the end of that year.”
The Wichita Eagle reported that Freddy’s is opening its 500th restaurant at the end of September. The company plans to open 60 new restaurants this year, alongside 75 next year, with the goal of doubling the brand’s footprint by bringing the total restaurant count to 800 by 2026.
“When looking at the culture of Freddy’s, so much of what makes Freddy’s special, and the brand that it is, has to do with Wichita,” Dull told the Wichita Business Journal, “And so, as we thought about where we wanted to put our training and innovation center, it was an easy decision for us to decide to stay, because it’s really what makes us special and unique.”
Welcome to the HJH family Freddy's!