Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expected to open at a yet to be determined location in Galesburg sometime in 2025.
That’s according to Freddy’s franchisee Steven Young of MLY Investments, who tells WGIL his firm is in the process of site selection in Galesburg.
A PR firm for Freddy’s announced last week a Freddy’s would open in Knox County, and a spokesman clarified they were “targeting Galesburg” before the franchisee confirmed Monday it would definitely be in Galesburg.
“Right now, I’m not at full liberty to say where we’re looking, because there are a couple of sites we’re trying to gauge what would be best for us and our future,” said Steven Young of Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based MLY Investments, which operates 11 Freddy’s across Iowa and Illinois.
“But ultimately, we are going to be coming to Galesburg, and I would guess we’ll have a location open sometime next year.”
Freddy’s has over 530 restaurants in 36 states, with another 130-plus locations in development for 2024 and 2025.
The nearest Freddy’s are located in East Peoria and two in Davenport, Iowa. The East Peoria restaurant opened last October in the Levee District, situated at 134 E. Spinder Dr.
Founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, the brand offers a unique combination of cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and other savory items, along with freshly churned frozen custard treats.
“I’ve been to Galesburg many, many times and scouted the area many, many times, and have come to find the people of Galesburg are the exact type of people that fit into the Freddy’s family,” Young said. “They are good, hard-working Midwest people who love a good burger, good fries and if there anything like me, they can’t resist the dessert.”
Young said once his firm has secured land, it will move quickly, and likely open the Galesburg Freddy’s within six months.
“We think we add value to the community,” Young said. “We’re heavily involved with local schools, veteran organizations. So we think it will be a great fit.”
