Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its first-ever restaurant on a U.S. military base, marking a new step in the brand’s nontraditional expansion strategy.
The location opened on April 15 inside the commissary at Fort Lee Army installation in Virginia. Operated by franchise partner JRI Hospitality, the restaurant features a smaller footprint than a typical Freddy’s unit, with a streamlined kitchen and a simplified menu adapted to the base environment.
The project required adjustments to meet military requirements, including background checks for staff and compliance with base-specific operational guidelines. Construction was completed in approximately one month, faster than a traditional restaurant build.
A New Step in Franchise Growth Beyond Traditional Sites
The Fort Lee opening represents Freddy’s 25th nontraditional location, a category that includes venues such as airports, stadiums and student centers. The company sees the move as part of a broader strategy to expand into alternative formats and locations beyond traditional standalone restaurants.
The concept also carries symbolic value for the brand, whose namesake, Freddy Simon, was a World War II veteran. Company leadership described the opening as both a strategic milestone and a meaningful extension of its heritage.
Freddy’s, founded in Kansas and now operating more than 580 locations across the U.S. and Canada, continues to grow through a mix of traditional franchises and nontraditional site development. With the Fort Lee location now open, the company is positioning military bases as a potential new avenue for future expansion.
