Farouk’s Experience in Restaurant Operations and Franchise Development Spans Three Decades
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a Kansas-based fast-casual restaurant franchise, has appointed Rafik Farouk as vice president of business development.
Born and raised in Cairo, Farouk has been passionate about food and hospitality from a young age. His initial exposure to franchising came in 1993 with the first Chili’s restaurant in the Middle East. He further developed his franchise development skills at prominent brands such as Bloomin’ Brands and P.F. Chang’s. Farouk now draws on that experience to foster Freddy’s continued expansion.
“What attracted me to Freddy’s comes down to three things: quality, hospitality and people,” he said. “I’ve experienced the brand firsthand as a guest in my hometown of Wylie, Texas. Over the years, what stood out was their consistency in food quality, genuine hospitality and pride in cleanliness. Those aren’t just words; they live out these values in the restaurants every day.”
Farouk said meeting Chief Development Officer Andrew Thengvall at an International Franchise Association Convention affirmed his interest in joining the company. “There was immediate alignment on values, vision and how to grow the right way,” Farouk said. “I’m energized by the chance to bring my experience and global network to help create opportunities for others. When we open a restaurant, we’re not just serving great food; we’re creating jobs, supporting families and giving entrepreneurs a platform to build something meaningful.”
As Freddy’s approaches 600 restaurants, the company has also hired Jackie Lobdell as vice president of franchise sales.
Thengvall praised Farouk and Lobdell as important additions to the brand’s development team. “Each brings a powerful combination of industry knowledge, strategic insight and proven development expertise. Rafik and Jackie will enhance our ability to grow thoughtfully, attract the right franchise partners and unlock new opportunities for Freddy’s,” Thengvall said.
Continuing the Momentum
Farouk said strong franchise owners who continue to reinvest in the brand will drive Freddy’s momentum. “To stay competitive, we must protect what makes the brand special — quality, hospitality and operational excellence — while continuing to grow with discipline, select the right partners and evolve with the needs of our guests and franchisees,” he said. “People will always gather around food, and franchising provides a proven way for investors to meet that demand. Today, more sophisticated investors are looking to diversify, and franchising offers structure, support and long-term opportunity.”
Prior to his career in franchising, Farouk played soccer professionally. He remains a passionate fan of Chelsea FC.
About Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Founded in Wichita, Kan., in 2002, Freddy’s offers cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and freshly churned frozen custard treats. The brand has grown to more than 580 units across the U.S. and Canada.
