Freddy’s in Machesney Park Abruptly Closes: Was It Planned?

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Machesney Park, Illinois has suddenly closed, and many people are wondering whether this closure had been quietly planned for some time.

Restaurant Regrets

I think we all have that one restaurant that we drive by often and think "I need to stop and eat there soon" and then, suddenly, it’s gone before we ever got the chance.

For me, that restaurant is Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

In recent months, my family has spent many weekends in the Machesney Park/173 area for my daughter's softball games. We’ve often passed the time between games shopping or eating along Route 173, but we never made it to Freddy’s.

Now we will never be able to.

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Freddy's in Machesney Park Permanently Closes

Freddy's fans received a shock on October 16 when they arrived at the restaurant expecting to enjoy a meal, but instead saw a note on the door that said:

This location is permanently closed for business as of Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Thank you to the many guests who visited us at this location.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

It seems like it was just yesterday when Freddy's broke ground on its new Machesney Park location:

and less than 4 years later it looks like this?

Why Did Freddy's Close in Machesney Park?

If Freddy’s closing in Machesney Park wasn’t bad enough, its near-instant disappearance is even more jarring. Many are wondering whether secret plans were in place for some time.

This was clearly planned out and kept very quiet. With all signage there one day gone overnight.

We may never receive the official reason why Freddy's in Machesney Park suddenly closed, but many residents who had been to this restaurant claim the service was slow, the food was bad, the prices were high, and the location was inconvenient.

All those reasons combined may be the perfect recipe for failure, but it's still unfortunate to see another restaurant close in the 815.

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