Friendly's Restaurants Franchise LLC
Family-style restaurant/ice cream shopBackground
Founded: 1935 Franchising since: 1996
In Springfield, Massachusetts at the height of the Great Depression in 1935, 20 year-old Prestley Blake and his 18 year-old brother Curtis opened an ice cream shop called "Friendly" that served double-dip cones for 5 cents. The brothers opened a second shop five years later in West Springfield, Massachusetts and added food to the menu. Within a decade, locations opened throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1988 Donald N. Smith, the company's current CEO, purchased the company and a year later added an "s" to the name, making it "Friendly's."
Franchisor has 263 employee(s); 12 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
Not available in the U.S.
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies
Special Programs
Friendlys has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 under its Cones for Kids campaign, which helps people with disabilities lead more independent lives.
In Springfield, Massachusetts at the height of the Great Depression in 1935, 20 year-old Prestley Blake and his 18 year-old brother Curtis opened an ice cream shop called "Friendly" that served double-dip cones for 5 cents. The brothers opened a second shop five years later in West Springfield, Massachusetts and added food to the menu. Within a decade, locations opened throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1988 Donald N. Smith, the company's current CEO, purchased the company and a year later added an "s" to the name, making it "Friendly's."
In May 2000, Friendly's introduced a new food and dessert menu featuring colossal burgers, sandwich wraps, splits, sundaes and Cyclones. Friendly's produces 10 million snack cups and 230,000 gallons of fudge every year. In addition to its restaurants and cafes, Friendly's manufactures a complete line of frozen desserts.
|
1855 Boston Rd. Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095 |
Phone: (800)576-8088/ (413)731-4211 |
Franchisor has 263 employee(s); 12 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2009 | 195 | 0 | 0 | 309 |
| 2008 | 193 | 0 | 0 | 312 |
| 2007 | 198 | 0 | 0 | 316 |
| 2006 | 211 | 0 | 0 | 310 |
| 2005 | 198 | 0 | 0 | 331 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
Not available in the U.S.
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies
Special Programs
Friendlys has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 under its Cones for Kids campaign, which helps people with disabilities lead more independent lives.
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $157.6K-1.94M Franchise fee: $15K-35K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | No |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1.5M
Cash liquidity requirement: $650K
Business Experience:
- Industry experience
Operations
- 72% of all franchisees own more than one unit
- Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
Other marketing support
- Available at headquarters: 12 weeks
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Toll-free phone line
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
Marketing Support
- Ad slicks
- National media
Other marketing support
- Grand opening campaign