About Fred's
From a small shop on the Belgian coast to an international concept. Travel back to 1989 and discover how Fred’s was born.
Fred’s Belgian Waffles And Ice Cream is the foreign arm of creative entrepreneur Frederik Van Isacker’s fruitful franchise business. He opens the first store in Luxembourg in 2012. With a wealth of experience accrued in his hugely successful Australian Home Made Ice Cream venture to fall back on.
He pursues the same successful recipe, both literally and figuratively. His foreign business focuses on Belgian waffles. The very product that Fred’s home country of Belgium is famous for.
For Frederik Van Isacker, however, it all starts with ice cream. After six years developing the perfect recipe, he opens his first Australian Home Made Ice Cream shop with the support of his Australian godmother. He also sells waffles according to an equally traditional and accomplished recipe.
New stores follow in quick succession and in 1992 the franchise concept is conceived. Australian now boasts 35 stores across Belgium. Frederik uses Fred’s to specifically target the foreign market. More Fred’s franchises open in Luxembourg, France and Spain. And as far afield as the Caribbean.
In 2019, the company will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a new external management team. In the meantime, Fred’s is working hard to break into France and Australian’s activities will be centralised in Zaventem. With a creative artist like Frederik Van Isacker, Australian Home Made Ice Cream can count on a wealth of experience. With Delphine and her open mind, the company is resolutely looking to the future and new challenges. Without losing sight of the quality of its products.
2022: Mathieu Verdun, nephew and godson of Mr Van Isacker and former operator of the Meir Australian shop for 6 years, joins the management team and also becomes a minority shareholder. 20/12/2023 Mathieu Verdun acquires 100% of the shares and becomes the owner. With his input and knowledge of the business, combined with an experienced management team, Australian/Fred’s is ready to take on new challenges.
