The Wichita Eagle:
Freddy’s Frozen Custard franchisees gathered Monday in Wichita with an eye toward growth and retaining the company’s values.
More than 70 people gathered at the Hotel at Old Town to swap ideas and view the latest in franchise technology from the 24-store chain that will be close to 50 restaurants by the end of 2009.
“It’ll be a bit of a challenge,” Freddy’s co-founder Bill Simon said.
“But, you know, this is a very personal enterprise for Randy, Scott (co-founders Randy Simon and Scott Redler) and me…. So despite all the pressures, the biggest one is to keep this thing personal.”
The agenda included a look at the chain’s new Web site for franchisees, where they can purchase items such as uniforms and store decor. Industry trends, purchasing, equipment supplier and vendor updates, store operations, a marketing calendar and a free-flowing ideas exchange also were in the works before the meeting concludes this morning.“Mostly, the value is an exchange of ideas,” Bill Simon said. “It’s really the first time that we’ve had everyone together to sit down and swap ideas between us, the vendors and the franchisees.”
