Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its first-ever restaurant on a US military base, located inside the commissary at the Fort Lee Army installation.

The fast-casual franchise company said the outlet sits within the commissary alongside other dining options.

In its press release, Freddy’s noted the Fort Lee unit operates in a smaller footprint than a typical restaurant.

The site includes a streamlined kitchen and a simplified menu designed for the limited space.

Freddy's president and CEO Chris Dull said: "This is a really exciting milestone for us. It's meaningful because of Freddy's military roots, and it also demonstrates our ability to strategically adapt to different environments.

“We see this as a strong first step toward bringing Freddy's to more military bases in the future."

To meet military requirements, the team completed an extended approval process, carried out background checks for all staff, and adapted operations to base-directed guidelines.

Freddy’s added that construction was quicker than a standard build, with the space completed in around one month.

"This really started as a partnership opportunity with the base, and from day one, it's been a collaborative effort. We've built a great relationship with the base team and are excited to officially open our doors," said Cam Blakely, president of Freddy's franchisee JRI Hospitality.

"We had to be flexible in how we approached this location, from the size of the space to how we operate day to day. But at the end of the day, we're still delivering the same Freddy's experience our guests know and love."

The Fort Lee opening is Freddy’s 25th non-traditional location, a group that includes airports, student centres, stadiums and arenas.

The restaurant opened on 15 April, but Freddy’s noted that a formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting are planned for a later date. The company operates more than 580 locations across the US and Canada.

Founded in Kansas in 2002, it serves cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs and shoestring fries, alongside frozen custard desserts.