Downers Grove’s first ever Andy’s Frozen Custard franchise held a soft opening Jan. 11 on Ogden Avenue. The new location offered free access to a full menu of frozen desserts for a limited customer base with tickets from a digital giveaway.
“It’s been exciting and fun to have the opportunity to be a part of the team. Compared to some other options I’ve seen, it definitely feels more team-oriented with a unique culture and fun energy,” senior and Andy’s Frozen Custard employee Jack Watling said.
The Andy’s franchise broke ground on the 816 Ogden Avenue lot April 2025. It was originally intended to open in August of that year, but was not able to open until over a year after receiving approval from the Downers Grove Village Council Dec. 10, 2024.
“I am doing the fountain shift, and I do drive thru and walk up. The fountain shift is where the dipper makes the custard and then passes it along to me, where I pull all the toppings in and mix the concrete or the milkshakes,” senior and Andy’s Frozen Custard employee Miles Mitchell said.
Andy’s Frozen Custard offers a wide menu of the ice cream alternative that was not previously available in Downers Grove. The custard is made fresh daily in the Ogden building.
“One of our main motives–we have it scripted on the walls–’We have the opportunity to turn customers’ days around,’ and that’s what we love to do. We love to make sure we’re a good part about their day.”
Newly-trained employees of the custard shop offered full service to the building’s two-lane drive-thru and walk-up service window from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Sunday [Jan. 11] was definitely busy with people eager to give it a try. We were serving from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., so I was outside taking orders for a good portion of that time. My shift was from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m., with the extra time to clean up,” Watling said. “It seemed like most if not all of the crew was there. We were focused on helping each other out and making sure everything went smoothly for the big opening.”
The business is now fully open until 11:00 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The location joins Glen Ellyn, La Grange, and other locations in the Western Suburbs.
“I enjoyed the custard,” senior Jackson Pelhank said. “I licked the spoon clean. It was in fact worth the six-and-a-half dollars, even though it was free.”
