October 18, 2004
Freddy's Frozen Custard
By Kathy Hanks The Hutchinson News
khanks@hutchnews.com
Never mind that Freddy's Frozen Custard is scheduled to open in frosty December when
appetites are more in tune with hot chocolate.
Ron Oberg, a partner in the new Hutchinson business on 17th Avenue across from Trinity
High School, said, "Any day is a good day to open a Freddy's."
"Over 60 percent of our sales will be food," said Oberg. "While it's famous for it's custard,
they also offer hand-pressed hamburgers and Chicago hot dogs."
The Wichita businessman and his partner, Todd Ulsaker, have been meeting the gastronomical needs in Hutchinson and McPherson with a Quizno's sandwich shop in both locations. "We're busy," said Oberg, about seeing to the details of opening a third restaurant. The restaurant, still under construction, is a prototype of a Freddy's that opened in El Dorado in May.
Along with Oberg and Ulsaker, other partner's in Hutchinson's Freddy's are Mike Fyler,
McPherson and Dr. Dan Burton, Wichita. Supervising the construction of Freddy's, which is scheduled to open by Dec. 8, Oberg is excited they made the decision to go with the new franchise because of the positive response they received since opening the Quizno's.
"We just knew from the response we've had since opening Quizno's," he said. "From a
logistics and management standpoint it made sense."
Because Oberg lives in Wichita and Ulsaker in McPherson, they thought it made sense to
continue in the same community rather than branch out with the franchise. He said he and
Ulsaker are very much hands-on in the Quizno's and plan to continue helping behind the
counter at their new restaurant.
The Hutchinson Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers has come about because of a
franchise agreement that is part of an expansion project that eventually will bring 99 Freddy stores to Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. "The atmosphere and customer service will make this a fun place to eat," Oberg said. "We're unique." He said that while the menus offers main courses, the frozen custard always would be a big drawing card. The custard will be made fresh throughout the day in both chocolate and vanilla flavors. It will be served in cups, waffle or cake cones and sundaes. The store also will offer Freddy's signature dessert -- a turtle sundae that is vanilla custard covered with hot
fudge or caramel, warm roasted pecans and whipped cream and topped with a cherry.
Freddy's was co-founded in 2002 by Scott Redler, brothers Bill and Randy Simon and their
father, Freddy. The company's namesake will be the grand marshal of this year's Wichita
Veteran's Day Parade in honor of his service to the United States during World War II.
Copyright (c) 2004, The Hutchinson Publishing Co. (The Hutch News)