Andy’s Frozen Custard, a beloved dessert company with deep roots in Springfield, is rethinking its plans to construct a new headquarters in the city. CEO Andy Kuntz announced on May 28 that the company is exploring alternatives due to escalating development costs.
The company had initially intended to build a new headquarters on a 10-acre plot in east Springfield, purchased in 2022. However, the estimated costs have surged by 30-40%, driven by high interest rates and increasing material and labor expenses. This has led Andy’s to consider other options, such as acquiring an existing building in nearby towns like Republic, or even relocating to Kansas City, where the company already has a significant presence.
Exploring New Options
Despite filing a building project plan with the city of Springfield for a $12 million single-story office building on the East Division site, Kuntz emphasized that this does not guarantee the project will proceed as planned. The plan is currently under review, and the company remains open to other possibilities.
Andy’s current headquarters in downtown Springfield, housed in a historic building, is becoming too small for the company’s needs. Kuntz expressed a desire for the company to own its headquarters, as they currently lease the space. “We don’t have enough room where we’re currently at, and we don’t own that building,” Kuntz stated.
Considering Kansas City
With 15 stores in the Kansas City market, Andy’s is contemplating moving some operations there. Kuntz noted that while his preference is to keep the headquarters in Springfield, the company must consider all options. “We spend a lot of time there. Some of our people are actually in Kansas City,” he said, highlighting the city’s growing importance to the company.
Founded nearly four decades ago, Andy’s Frozen Custard has grown into the world’s largest dessert-only franchise, with locations in 15 states. The decision on the new headquarters will significantly impact the company’s future operations and its ties to Springfield.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
