Freddy’s Custard & Steakburgers, a Kansas-based chain with 124 restaurants in 23 states, intends to open its first Jacksonville location next spring near the Regal Cinemas along Beach Boulevard.
It could be the first of many.
The Freddy’s site is at 14026 Beach Blvd., across the street from the theater and east of Beach and Hodges boulevards.
Franchisee Kyle Gerstner could build up to 15 Freddy’s locations in the metro area over 10 years.
“Jacksonville is a great market with strong military ties and a family-friendly community. We feel that the Freddy’s concept is a good fit,” he said.
The city approved a concurrency reservation certificate for a 108-seat, 3,010-square-foot Freddy’s on 1.68 acres.
Freddy’s is based in Wichita, Kan., where it traces its founding to WWII veteran Freddy Simon. Freddy Simon and two of his sons — Bill and Randy — and restaurateur Scott Redler opened the first location in 2002 in Wichita.
The first franchise location opened in December 2004 with the prototype design that includes indoor and patio seating with 100 seats or more.
In Florida, a Freddy’s is open in Bradenton and two are opening soon in Ocala and Orlando, according to the freddysusa.com website.
The menu focuses on custards, including concretes; steakburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and tenders; fries and onion rings; and combos. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The fast-casual restaurant chain was ranked in the 2014 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the third consecutive year. It also was recognized as one of the top performing companies based in Kansas.
Freddy’s founders operate 13 locations, comprising six in the metro Wichita area, six in the Kansas City market and one in the Dallas market.
The 111 franchise units serve states from California to Pennsylvania, Virginia and down the East Coast to Florida. Spokeswoman Alexandra Pearce said 21 more locations are scheduled to open across the country by year-end.
Freddysusa.com says that, excluding the cost of real estate, it costs generally from $522,000 to $1 million to open a store. The initial franchise fee for a single store is $25,000.
Food bites
Food- and drink-related businesses filed names with the state Division of Corporations under the Fictitious Name Law to operate:
• Junior Seafood, by Rashad Scurlock and Anthony Sirman, 7185 Crane Ave.
• Hamra’s Humus, by Judy Ann Salem, 3621 Marianna Road.
• Gourmet With A Twist, by Latasha Michelle Bevel, 2281 W. 17th St.
• Puket Café, by Chaleunsack Rocky Hill Enterprises LLC, 725 Atlantic Blvd., Unit 9, Atlantic Beach. Allen Chaleunsack of Atlantic Beach is manager of Chaleunsack Rock Hill Enterprises LLC.
• Starlite Café or Birdie’s, by Starlite Food Services Inc., 1044 Park St. Neal Levitsky is director of Starlight Food Services Inc.
• Rub BBQ, by Rub LLC, 3625 St. Johns Bluff Road. Ernest R. Wyatt of Jacksonville is the registered agent.
• Yashi Sushi, by Hayashi Sushi Restaurant LLC, 4820 Deer Lake Drive W., Suite D-1. Mei Z. Qiu is the managing member of Hayashi Sushi Restaurant LLC.
• L&H Farm Fresh Market, by Out Side The Box Ads LLC, 109 Kings Manor Court, St. Augustine, St. Johns County. Page Daniel Jr. is managing member of Out Side The Box Ads LLC.
• Sweet Bite, by Reynaldo Reniel Valido of Miami, in Baker County.
Licensed to serve
Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan issued business licenses for:
• Sakura Buffet, to Atlantis168 of Jacksonville Inc., 9764 Atlantic Blvd. Yun Chen is president of Atlantis168.
• EJ’s 1 LLC, to Jennifer Maggie Goodard, 9119 Merrill Road, No. 17.
• Corner Bakery Cafe #1587, to LWBC LLC, 7111 Bonneval Road. Arthur J. Lee of Orlando is manager of LWBC LLC.
Dining signs
• Dunkin’ Donuts, 13627 Beach Blvd. and 842 Dunn Ave.
• Corner Bakery Café Riverside, 192 Riverside Ave.
Restaurants on the rise
• Dunkin’ Donuts will be part of the renovations for Beach Food Post Inc. at 12435 Philips Highway.
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