Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard: What You Need to Know 🍔

Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard is a regional fast-casual restaurant chain that operates primarily in the Mountain West and surrounding areas. If you're evaluating whether to visit or considering it alongside other burger options, it helps to understand what the chain offers, how it positions itself in the burger market, and what factors might influence your own experience.

What Good Times Is and Where It Operates

Good Times is a quick-service burger restaurant focused on made-to-order burgers and hand-scooped frozen custard. The chain has been operating since the 1990s and maintains a footprint concentrated in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and surrounding states—though the exact store count and locations change over time. Unlike national chains like McDonald's or Burger King, it's a regional player, which means availability depends entirely on geography.

The chain positions itself as a casual, affordable alternative to both typical fast food and upscale burger restaurants. Its core appeal centers on two product categories: burgers built to order and frozen custard desserts.

Core Menu and Product Approach

Good Times structures its menu around customizable burgers and frozen custard. Here's what that typically means in practice:

Burgers: Rather than ordering a pre-made combo, you select a patty size, toppings, and preparation style. This made-to-order model takes longer than a standard fast-food burger but is faster than a full-service restaurant. The burger quality generally reflects ingredient freshness and preparation method, though specific quality varies by location and time of day.

Frozen Custard: This is a key differentiator. Custard differs from soft-serve ice cream in texture and ingredient composition—it's denser and richer due to higher egg yolk content. Hand-scooped custard is served fresh throughout the day, and many locations feature rotating flavors. This appeals to customers specifically seeking custard rather than standard ice cream.

Additional Items: Most locations offer sides (fries, onion rings), hot dogs, and sometimes chicken sandwiches—standard quick-service fare alongside the signature offerings.

How Good Times Fits Into the Burger Chain Landscape

When comparing burger chains, several structural factors shape what you're choosing between:

Good Times occupies middle ground: faster and cheaper than a sit-down restaurant or premium burger chain, but slower and more customizable than typical fast food. It competes on quality perception and the custard factor rather than speed or price alone.

What Influences Your Experience at Good Times

Several variables affect what you'll actually get when you visit:

Location and Franchise Management
Like most restaurant chains, Good Times operates through franchised and company-owned locations. Individual franchise operators control hiring, training, food sourcing, and cleanliness standards within corporate guidelines. This means quality can vary meaningfully between locations—even neighboring ones. A well-run location will maintain fresh ingredients and consistent preparation; a poorly managed one may deliver inconsistent results.

Time of Day and Staffing
Peak hours (lunch, dinner) typically bring longer waits but may reflect fresher ingredients being prepped regularly. Off-peak visits might be faster but with fewer staff available. Newer or less experienced staff may affect burger assembly quality.

Menu Customization
The made-to-order model allows customization but also means unclear requests can lead to mistakes. Clear ordering reduces this risk.

Frozen Custard Availability
Not all locations offer custard, and hours vary. Seasonal operations are common in colder climates, with some locations closing custard service in winter.

Cost Considerations

Good Times typically prices higher than budget fast food (McDonald's, Wendy's) but lower than premium burger chains (Five Guys, local burger restaurants).

A typical burger meal—burger, side, and drink—generally falls into the $10–15 range, though exact pricing varies by location, burger size, and any current promotions. Adding custard adds another $5–8. These are ranges based on typical regional pricing; you'll need to check a specific location for current offers.

Quality Factors You Can Assess

When evaluating Good Times against alternatives, consider:

• Ingredient sourcing: Does the location emphasize fresh beef, fresh produce? Information varies by location.
• Customization transparency: Can you see or understand what goes into your burger?
• Consistency with prior visits: Regional chains often have quality variance; returning to the same location helps predict experience.
• Custard specificity: If custard is your draw, verify the location serves it and during what hours.
• Local reputation: Community reviews on Google, Yelp, or local forums often reflect real operational differences between franchises.

Common Trade-offs to Consider

Choosing Good Times involves implicit trade-offs:

Speed vs. Customization
Made-to-order burgers take longer than pre-assembled ones. If you need quick service, this matters. If you value burger specificity, the wait is the cost.

Regional Availability vs. Consistency
Being regional means you won't find Good Times everywhere, but it also means no obligation to visit a distant location. Within the region, location quality varies more than national chains do.

Premium Positioning Without Premium Pricing
Good Times markets itself as a step above typical fast food but prices below truly premium burger restaurants. This works if you value the middle ground; it may disappoint if you want either true budget speed or restaurant-quality burgers.

What You'd Need to Evaluate for Yourself

The right burger chain for you depends on:

• Your geography: Is there a Good Times nearby, or are you traveling through one?
• Your priorities: Do you prioritize speed, customization, specific foods (like custard), price, or quality perception?
• Your location choice: Has the specific franchise near you earned a good reputation, or would you be trying it blind?
• Your dietary needs: Does the menu accommodate your restrictions or preferences?

Good Times is a legitimate regional option with a clear identity—made-to-order burgers and custard at a mid-range price. It's neither a budget fast-food stop nor a premium burger destination. Your experience will depend heavily on which specific location you visit and what you're comparing it against.