Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com

Brycen Lambert, nine-year-old resident of Augusta, spent 40 days in the hospital before being released with no clear answers as to what is causing Gastroparesis. The young boy will soon be seeing a specialist to hopefully learn why his stomach has stopped digesting food. In the meantime, he continues to be fed via a tube and cannot take anything by mouth.

After disclosing that he can’t wait to eat Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers signature fries, Brycen was given the opportunity to tour the Wichita-based food chain’s headquarters. The headquarters are located at 3020 N. Cypress St in Wichita.

Upon arrival, Brycen was greeted by Andrew Lehr, Director of Flagship Training, who toured Brycen around the entire building, including the upstairs. He was able to get a look into their IT offices, commercial kitchen and even see a new kitchen gadget the chain is testing out to improve the fry cooking process.

At the end of the tour, the family watched two videos over the franchise and Freddy Simon’s story and how the Freddy Way was inspired. Brycen was then surprised by Freddy’s mascots FredHead and Sundae who came bearing gifts of Freddy’s merchandise and plenty of fry sauce for the entire family.

The trip is one for Brycen to remember and was a small way he can get out of his home to visit somewhere fun that wasn’t a doctor’s office. Freddy’s employees expressed that they were grateful to learn about Brycen’s story and were glad to give him a special morning. They also gave him a special Freddy Simon coupon, which is signed by Freddy himself.

The crew teared up as they gave him the coupon that is rare due to Freddy’s passing away in 2020. Freddy is remembered by the entire franchise as the office grandpa and an extraordinary man.

“We wanted to give you this because we know Freddy would’ve wanted you to have it,” said Lehr.