Freddy's Hires First CIO to Supercharge Digital Transformation

WICHITA, KS – February 10, 2026 – Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, the fast-casual brand known for its nostalgic diner aesthetic and cooked-to-order steakburgers, is making a significant bet on the future. The company announced today the appointment of Todd Paladini as its first-ever Chief Information Officer (CIO), a newly created executive role designed to steer the brand's technological evolution and accelerate its ambitious growth plans.

This move signals a pivotal strategic shift for the Wichita-based chain, which has expanded to over 580 locations across 36 states since its founding in 2002. By establishing a C-suite position dedicated to technology, Freddy's is underscoring its commitment to leveraging digital innovation as a primary engine for scaling operations, enhancing the guest experience, and supporting its growing network of franchisees.

A New Era of Technology-Driven Hospitality

The creation of the CIO role marks a formalization of Freddy's "technology-first strategy," aimed at optimizing systems and embedding data-driven decision-making across the enterprise. While the brand has built its reputation on quality food and genuine hospitality—dubbed "The Freddy's Way"—the leadership recognizes that modern technology is essential to delivering that experience consistently at scale.

"Technology plays an increasingly critical role in supporting franchisees, strengthening operations, and delivering the fast, friendly experience guests expect from Freddy's," said Chris Dull, President and CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, in a statement. "Todd's deep experience leading technology for high-growth, multi-unit brands both domestically and internationally, makes him the right leader to build this new function and help us scale with intention."

Paladini is tasked with leading the enterprise technology strategy, partnering across all business units to drive process improvements and long-term value. His work will be crucial in ensuring that as Freddy's expands further into North America, including Canada, its teams and franchise partners have the tools, insights, and systems needed to operate efficiently without sacrificing the brand's signature charm.

The Architect of Change: A Profile in Tech Leadership

Todd Paladini brings over two decades of international IT leadership to Freddy's, with a resume that demonstrates a clear pattern of modernizing technology for guest-focused, multi-unit brands. Before joining Freddy's, he served for nearly six years as the Chief Technology Officer at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, another rapidly growing fast-casual concept. His career also includes significant IT leadership roles at the theatrical exhibition giant Cinemark.

His tenure at these companies involved navigating the complexities of large-scale operations where technology directly impacts the customer experience, from point-of-sale transactions to back-end operational reliability. At Cinemark, for instance, the technology team maintains an impressive 99.98% uptime for projectors, a testament to a focus on operational excellence that will be invaluable at Freddy's. Paladini's experience working across Central and South America has also equipped him with a global perspective on change management and innovation, a key asset as Freddy's looks to grow its international footprint.

"Freddy's has built a reputation for exceptional food and genuine hospitality, and I'm thrilled to be able to contribute to that unique experience for all of our FredHeads across the United States and Canada," Paladini stated. His role will involve close collaboration with the executive team, franchisees, and the company's private equity sponsors to ensure technology acts as a catalyst for growth.

Building on a Foundation of Digital Initiatives

While the CIO appointment is a major milestone, it's not Freddy's first foray into technology. The company has been steadily laying a digital foundation for several years. In June 2022, it launched a new mobile app featuring "Freddy's Rewards," a modern loyalty program designed to increase engagement and enable order-ahead capabilities. This move was complemented by an updated online ordering system on its website.

Operationally, Freddy's has shown a willingness to experiment with automation to improve speed and consistency. The brand is currently testing "RoboFry," a fully automated fry station designed to deliver fresh fries in under 30 seconds with minimal human intervention. This follows a previous partnership with AccuTemp to implement a clamshell cooking system that dramatically reduced burger patty cooking times.

Furthermore, the company has already begun leveraging data for strategic decisions, employing the DOMO data intelligence platform to inform choices about new restaurant locations and menu development. Paladini's arrival is poised to accelerate and integrate these disparate initiatives into a cohesive, enterprise-wide strategy, moving from tactical tech adoption to a fully integrated digital ecosystem.

The Competitive and Financial Imperative

Freddy's strategic pivot comes at a time when the entire fast-casual sector is undergoing a digital arms race. Competitors like Culver's have made significant investments in their own technology stacks. In late 2025, Culver's launched its first nationwide loyalty program, "Delicious Rewards," and has been leveraging a cloud data platform to gain deep insights into everything from drive-thru speed to food costs. This industry-wide trend makes a dedicated, high-level technology leader not just an advantage, but a necessity for staying competitive.

The push for technological advancement is also heavily influenced by Freddy's ownership structure. In September 2025, the brand was acquired by Rhône, a global private equity firm, from Thompson Street Capital Partners for a reported $700 million. Private equity firms like Rhône are known for driving strategic initiatives that create long-term value and scalability. Investing in a robust technology infrastructure and leadership is a classic PE playbook move to enhance operational efficiency, enable rapid expansion, and ultimately maximize returns. Paladini will work closely with Rhône to align technology investments with these overarching business goals.

The appointment of a CIO is a clear signal that Freddy's and its backers are preparing the brand for its next major growth phase, ensuring it has the digital backbone to support hundreds of new locations while maintaining the quality and service that built its loyal following. For customers and franchisees alike, this new chapter promises a more streamlined, efficient, and connected Freddy's experience.