Regional chain · Midwest expansion · Est. 2002
Freddy's
Steak 'n Shake's competitor — without the beef tallow.
§ 01
At a glance
Vegetarian
Suitable
Plant-based oil and ingredients.
Vegan
Suitable
No animal-derived ingredients in fries; shared fryer with milk-containing onion rings.
Gluten-Free
Not suitable
No wheat in fries; shared fryer with breaded chicken tenders, onion rings.
Dairy-Free
Likely safe
Per Go Dairy Free: fries cooked in shared fryer with onion rings that contain milk (whey).
Kosher
Not certified
Not kosher-certified.
Halal
Not certified
Not halal-certified.
Freddy's occupies a strange position on this atlas — they're the most direct competitor to Steak 'n Shake (similar shoestring shape, similar diner concept, both Midwest-born), but they made the opposite choice on oil. Where Steak 'n Shake reverted to 100% beef tallow in January 2025, Freddy's stays with a blend of soybean and high-oleic soybean oil. The fryer share with milk-containing onion rings is the catch — Go Dairy Free explicitly flags this. For vegans by ingredients, fine; for celiacs and severe dairy allergies, problematic.
§ 02
Nutrition facts
Freddy's's published nutrition data for the serving size most comparable to an industry "medium" order. Values shown are per-serving and calculated against FDA 2020 Daily Values.
For comparison across chains, see our rankings pages — lowest sodium, lowest saturated fat, lowest calorie, and more.
§ 03
Ingredients, line by line
Shoestring Fries — annotated
- Potatoes Fine — Thin shoestring cut.
- Soybean & high-oleic soybean oil blend Soy (exempt) — Per Freddy's directly: a "high-performance blend" introduced May 2023. Highly refined soybean oil is FDA-exempt from allergen labeling.
- Salt Fine — Applied after frying.
Freddy's does not publish a full retail-style ingredient statement for their fries. Per Freddy's official allergen documentation and Twitter (May 2023), the oil is the only specified ingredient. The fries themselves are otherwise plain potato.
The Freddy's vs. Steak 'n Shake comparison
Freddy's was founded in 2002 in Wichita, Kansas, by the Simon family (named for their patriarch Freddy, a WWII Marine veteran). The shoestring-fry-and-steakburger format is essentially identical to Steak 'n Shake's, and the chains compete directly across the Midwest and Southeast. As of 2025, Steak 'n Shake's switch to 100% beef tallow makes Freddy's the only major shoestring-and-steakburger option for vegetarians. That's not a marketing position Freddy's leans into, but it's now the practical reality.
The onion rings make this fryer-unsafe for severe dairy allergies
Per Go Dairy Free's explicit note: "The Fries and Tots are cooked in a shared fryer with Freddy's Onion Rings, which do contain milk (whey)." If you're severely dairy-allergic, this isn't a "probably fine" — there's a documented risk pathway. Most casual dairy-free dieters will be OK; celiac-style dairy reactions probably won't be.
§ 04
Oil & fryer setup
Primary oil
Soybean blend
Per Freddy's (May 2023): high-performance blend of soybean and high-oleic soybean oil. Allergen-protein-free per FDA refining standards.
Fryer setup
Shared
Shared with Onion Rings (contain milk/whey), Chicken Tenders (now without milk per recent menu update, but still wheat-breaded), Cheese Curds at some locations, seasonal items.
Cross-contamination
Moderate to high
Wheat (chicken tenders), milk (onion rings, some chicken items) all share the fryer. A few customer reports mention "dedicated fryer" at specific locations — this is not the chain-wide policy.
Brand origin
Wichita, Kansas
Founded 2002 by the Simon family. Now ~500 locations, primarily Midwest and Southeast. Not as old as Steak 'n Shake (1934) but rapidly gaining.
§ 05
Top-9 allergen status
Per the FDA's nine major allergens, as disclosed by Freddy's for Freddy's Shoestring Fries.
✓ Milk*
✓ Wheat*
✓ Egg
! Soy
✓ Peanut
✓ Tree Nut
✓ Fish
✓ Shellfish
✓ Sesame
Per Go Dairy Free: shared fryer with onion rings (milk/whey). Wheat: shared fryer with breaded chicken.
§ 06
Frequently asked questions
Are Freddy's' fries vegan?
Yes — Freddy's' fries are vegan by ingredient. No animal-derived ingredients in fries; shared fryer with milk-containing onion rings.
Are Freddy's' fries gluten-free?
No — Freddy's' fries are not safe for celiac disease. No wheat in fries; shared fryer with breaded chicken tenders, onion rings.
What oil are Freddy's' fries cooked in?
Freddy's' fries are cooked in Soybean blend. Full oil and fryer details — including whether the fryer is shared with breaded items — are documented on this page.
Are Freddy's' fries dairy-free?
Freddy's' fries do not contain dairy as an ingredient. Per Go Dairy Free: fries cooked in shared fryer with onion rings that contain milk (whey).
How many calories are in Freddy's' fries?
A regular shoestring order of Freddy's' fries contains 440 calories, 20g total fat (3g saturated fat), 590mg sodium, 60g carbs, and 5g protein. Source: Freddy's official nutrition; FastFoodNutrition.org.
§ 07
In the wild
Very thin shoestring-cut fries — even thinner than Whataburger's. Similar shape to Steak 'n Shake but vegetable-oil-fried, not beef-tallow.
§ 08
Sources
Every claim on this page is sourced. If a source is wrong, dated, or missing, tell us — we update quickly.
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Important — read before you eat
Ingredient formulations change, sometimes with no public announcement. Allergen risk at any fast-food restaurant depends on the specific location, the time of day, and the staff on shift. For severe allergies, confirm ingredients with the restaurant at the point of ordering, and when in doubt, ask about fryer and equipment cross-contact. This page is an independent reference — not medical advice.
