Last Updated on July 26, 2012 by DeanR
Friendly’s Restaurants Franchise
Friendly’s Restaurants is a franchise for a family oriented restaurant and ice cream shop.
It was founded in 1935 and started franchising in 1996. It was founded by brothers Prestly and Curtis Blake during the height of the Great Depression in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was first a small ice cream shop that sold double-dip cones for just five cents. It was named “Friendly” then. They opened the second location in West Springfield, Massachusetts and that was when they added hamburgers to their menu.
During World War II, the brothers decided to close the restaurant. After the war, they opened 10 locations spanning Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. When the Blake brothers retired in 1979, Friendly was sold to Hershey Foods Corporation. It was bought by Donald N. Smith and became part of Tennessee Foods in 1988. He changed the name to “Friendly’s” a year after. They now have 237 locations in the United States and 252 that are company owned.
What is on the menu at Friendly’s Restaurant?
For Breakfast, they have Super Sizzlin’ Breakfast, Breakfast SuperMelts, Friendly’s Favorites, and Seniors Breakfast. Their Munchies includes Mini-Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Loaded Waffle Fries, Chicken Quesadillas, and Kickin’ Buffalo Chicken Strips. For Lunch and Dinner, they have Friendlys’ Big Beef Burgers, SuperMelt Sandwiches, Steak and Seafood, Sandwiches and Wraps, Signature Chicken, and for the Seniors. Their High Five menu has Crispy Chicken Salad, All American Burger with Cheese, Turkey Club SuperMelt Sandwich, and Grilled Chicken Wrap. They also have the Under 555 Calories menu which includes Chicken Ginger Stir Fry, Sweet and Spicy Grilled Shrimp, Caprese Chicken Sandwich, and Half Turkey Club SuperMelt Sandwich and Garden Salad. They also have the Create Your Own Friendly’s Meal for $9.99, for $11.99, and a Kid’s Menu. They also have their Homemade Ice Cream. They have the three scoops sundaes, Fribble shakes, root beer floats, Friend-z blends, and a wide range of different toppings that you can choose from. For Take Home Treats, they have the Sundaes-To-Go, Ice Cream Rolls, Cartons, and even Ice Cream Cakes which are available in flavours like Black Raspberry, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Light Fudge Tracks, Light Purely Pistachio, Light No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean, Honey Granola Frozen Yogurt, Sundae Xtreme Mint Cookie Collision, Watermelon Sherbet, and Raspberry-Orange-Lemon-Sherbet.
Cost and requirements on running a Friendly’s Restaurant franchise
You need to have a net worth of $1,500,000 and a total liquid asset of at least $650,000. Expect to be investing about $147,000 to $1,980,000. The cost of Friendly’s Restaurant franchise fee is $15,000 to $35,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 4%. This is for a renewable 20 year term agreement. They allow multi-unit ownership. The do not allow absentee ownership.
What is included in the franchise package?
There will be 12 weeks training at the headquarters. You will be receiving newsletters and a toll free phone number. You will be given access to the internet and assistance at the grand opening. Expect to be attending meetings and receiving occasional field evaluations. For marketing support, there will be ad slicks and national media.
Friendly’s Restaurant Contact Details
You may reach them at:
Address: 1855 Boston Road Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095
Phone: (800) 966-9970