Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
The chain was established by the Simon family (Bill, Freddy, and Randy) and a family friend, Scott Redler, in Wichita, Kansas in 2002. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is known for the frozen custard it serves. Its specialties include chicken sandwiches, Vienna beef hot dogs, and steakburgers. It has branches in 30 states and brings in roughly $304 million each year, and its revenue is growing.
Portillo’s
This truly Chicago brand rarely shuts down branches, except for the one branch in the Midwest that it is closing. It is a fast-casual chain which was established in Villa Park, Illinois back in 1963 and currently has 60 locations. Its founder is Dick Portillo, and it is a subsidiary of the Portillo Restaurant Group, Inc. Initially, it went by the nickname “The Dog House” and serves some Chicago classics and other specialties, including deep-dish pizza, Maxwell Street Polish, Italian Beef, and hot dogs. The restaurant is known for serving some of Chi-Town’s best food.