Story and photos by Kady Weddle
Andy Kuntz himself cut the ribbon for the 100th location of Andy’s Frozen Custard Wednesday, September 1 – sponsored by the South Kansas City Chamber.
“We want to say how proud we are to be in Waldo,” said Kuntz. “It’s a great neighborhood and we’re really excited to be here. We love our neighborhood stores.”
The new location at 79th and Wornall opens as the eighth store for the Kansas City metro area.
“We opened our very first store in Kansas City on Westport Road in 2015,” explained Kuntz. “At that point in time, that was store number 25. In 2020 we opened our seventh store in the Kansas City metro area in Liberty, that store was number 91. As we stand here today, this is number 8 in the market. And it’s 35 years of being in the frozen custard business – store number 100.”
The new location is also host to new design elements, becoming the first store to implement an overhead canopy and double drive thru lanes.
“Andy’s location here is part of a bigger transformation that’s to come as we go north on Wornall with improvements,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McManus.
Kuntz was accompanied by his wife, Dana, and mother Carol, as well as other family members.
“Dana and I were high school sweethearts working for mom and dad in ’86,” said Kuntz.” It wouldn’t be uncommon to find my mom scooping your sundae on a Friday night.”
Raised in Raytown and born at St. Luke’s hospital, Andy’s father was in the Kansas City car business for over 20 years.
“I grew up on Gate’s BBQ and Dixon’s Chili, and a fine dinner out was the Plaza III Steakhouse,” said Kuntz.”
Andy’s Frozen Custard opened their first location in 1986 in Osage Beach, Mo. A year later their second location opened in Springfield, Mo. and by 2004 began to expand into other markets.
Kuntz raved about his frozen custard team stating the over 2,500 employees that work for the company make it what it is every day.
“We’re excited about what Andy’s is bringing here, giving us that neighborhood feel, and we wish them the best,” concluded McManus.