JRI Hospitality Acquires 43 Freddy’s Locations From HCI Hospitality
JRI Hospitality has acquired the restaurant operations of HCI Hospitality, a Manhattan, Kansas-based company. The transaction includes 43 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurants, raising JRI Hospitality’s total Freddy’s locations from more than 88 units in 15 states to over 130 operations across 18 states.
The acquisition also includes HCI’s JC’s BBQ and Grill in Junction City, Kansas, and Powercat Sports Grill in Manhattan, Kansas. Booth Creek Wagyu, another brand in the HCI portfolio, will continue to be owned and operated by Dave Dreiling, founder of HCI Hospitality.
As part of the integration, Cam Blakely, CEO of HCI, will join JRI Hospitality as JRI Freddy’s President of Operations.
JRI Hospitality now operates a portfolio of over 145 restaurants. In addition to Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, JRI’s holdings include Mokas Coffee & Eatery, Chompie’s Restaurants & Deli, and the Salina Country Club. JRI is seeking to expand Mokas Coffee & Eatery through franchising, with Scott Redler, co-founder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, serving as a board member of Mokas.
JRI Hospitality was founded in 2011 and is based in Salina, operating restaurant units across 18 states. HCI Hospitality was founded in 2002 and operates restaurants in Manhattan and Junction City, Kansas. Booth Creek Wagyu, previously part of HCI, provides beef locally and through its e-commerce platform and will remain under Dave Dreiling’s ownership.