Burgers are back on the menu at the Fort Lee Exchange as Freddy’s officially reports for duty at the PX food court.
The new restaurant—the first Freddy’s in the Exchange’s portfolio—expands everyday dining choices with a category Soldiers and their families have been missing.
Fort Lee Main Store Manager Raymond Perez and Services Business Manager Denise Bauduy held a ribbon-cutting June 4 with Freddy’s operating partner Rodney Griffin and JRI USA Director of Operations Stephanie Gallant to officially welcome the restaurant after its soft opening in April. Guests were treated to samples and given swag during the grand-opening celebration.
Col. Rich Bendelewski, Fort Lee garrison commander, said the Exchange’s food offerings are a vital component to living and working on Fort Lee.
“As the garrison aligns with the Army’s shift toward performance-driven nutrition, we’re excited to see the Exchange evolve their offerings alongside us,” Bendelewski said. “Providing everyday options that actively power the force is essential to the garrison’s commitment to improving the Quality of Life for our Soldiers, families and civilians.”
The new restaurant carries additional significance because Freddy’s namesake, World War II Veteran Freddy Simon, served in the Army with the 1st Cavalry Division. Simon was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during his deployment to the Pacific Theater.
“Freddy’s is a great fit for Exchange diners, and we are honored to welcome the first Freddy’s to the Exchange family right here at Fort Lee,” said Fort Lee Exchange General Manager Lajima Marshall-Pierce. “This opening introduces a new burger option for diners to enjoy.”
More than 200 orders were received during the grand opening day. Since its soft opening, Freddy’s has seen more than $152,000 in sales.
Unlike traditional Freddy’s restaurants, which typically operate in larger, stand-alone spaces, the Fort Lee location was designed for a compact space of about 185 square feet inside the food court.
To fit in with the smaller space, the Fort Lee PX and Freddy’s team streamlined the kitchen and menu, focusing on core favorites like steakburgers, chicken sandwiches and tenders, hot dogs, fries and frozen custard.
“Menu options were part of the decision to bring Freddy’s on board,” Bauduy said. “The space is small, so the restaurant offers a limited menu, but our teams were able to make it into what it is now.”
Freddy’s—like all Exchange restaurants—also serves better-for-you options, such as bread-free bowls, lettuce-wrapped sandwiches and veggie burgers.
Marshall-Pierce said the new restaurant does more than just bring back burgers. It provides even greater convenience during the lunch rush.
“Instead of having to drive off the installation for lunch, the community has more options on-installation,” Marshall-Pierce said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘I’m not leaving my office because I’m going to get stuck at the gate,’ but now they have more options in the food court to have lunch.”
Share your thoughts!