Friendly's

Started by amesman, January 08, 2005, 02:56:38 PM

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BillyGr

Quote from: retailisking on March 14, 2012, 09:41:53 PM
Quote from: buzz86us on March 14, 2012, 09:15:46 PM
Friendly's has completely moved out of the Albany Area not one to be found.

Troy, Clifton Park and East Greenbush aren't considered the Albany area?

I'd include those in the Albany area, but it seems interesting how they did the closings - closing all the ones closest to Albany (Central Ave, Wolf Rd, Colonie Center, Crossgates, 2 in Latham, Western Ave, probably one or two I'm forgetting also) and left only the more "outlying" areas you mentioned.

Even the property doesn't seem to be a factor, since Troy is in a plaza (probably leased?), while most of the closed locations (except the two in the malls) were free standing buildings.

retailisking

Quote from: BillyGr on March 15, 2012, 09:43:55 PM
I'd include those in the Albany area, but it seems interesting how they did the closings - closing all the ones closest to Albany (Central Ave, Wolf Rd, Colonie Center, Crossgates, 2 in Latham, Western Ave, probably one or two I'm forgetting also) and left only the more "outlying" areas you mentioned.

Even the property doesn't seem to be a factor, since Troy is in a plaza (probably leased?), while most of the closed locations (except the two in the malls) were free standing buildings.

The bankruptcy process, in part, enabled Friendly's to get out from under unfavorable leases. I would assume that the closed locations had unfavorable leases relative to the amount of volume they were doing. Were any of the closed locations busier than the ones that remain open?

buzz86us

I was actually considering going there to get a burger or something but now I can't get there unless I take a series of buses.

retailisking

Friendly's has a new CEO - from Panera Bread. He's a Massachusetts guy and grew up with the brand. I'm somewhat disappointed that Agadi stepped down in February; he was a hands-on CEO who took an active interest in turning the place around. Perhaps Friendly's PE owners thought he was too associated with the bankruptcy and closures (which, truth be told, were baked in the cake before he came aboard.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2012/04/19/friendlys-taps-new-ceo.html

JimSawhill

Quote from: retailisking on April 24, 2012, 03:10:10 AM
Friendly's has a new CEO - from Panera Bread. He's a Massachusetts guy and grew up with the brand. I'm somewhat disappointed that Agadi stepped down in February; he was a hands-on CEO who took an active interest in turning the place around. Perhaps Friendly's PE owners thought he was too associated with the bankruptcy and closures (which, truth be told, were baked in the cake before he came aboard.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2012/04/19/friendlys-taps-new-ceo.html

The Friendlys restaurants here in Florida all closed   :(...At least I can get the ice cream from Sweetbay!!! :)


retailisking

In addition to the Holyoke-Whiting Farms Road closure, West Haven and Milford, CT were shuttered over the weekend as well. A company spokesperson insists they were all the result of expiring leases and not a sign of more trouble. Hmm...

http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2012/09/friendlys_says_it_lost_its_lease_on_whit.html

buzz86us

They shouldn't have closed the one over by crossgates that one was doing brisk business. The rest I would have closed because the 2 on wolf road in Albany both had way too much competition Wolf Road is like 70% restaurants.

BillyGr

Quote from: buzz86us on September 24, 2012, 06:35:18 PM
They shouldn't have closed the one over by crossgates that one was doing brisk business. The rest I would have closed because the 2 on wolf road in Albany both had way too much competition Wolf Road is like 70% restaurants.

As a sign that most of these closings were only due to their company financial issues (not that they were bad spots) - 3 of the Albany area stores are being re-opened by local restaurants.

The one you mention by Crossgates is becoming an Italian type restaurant, while the Albany one (Central Ave) and one in Delmar are going into Japanese sushi-type and tea house operations (respectively).

MikeRa

We still have 2 Friendly's in Bensalem, PA.  The first is located at Street & Knights Road, in the Two Guys/Jefferson Ward/Bradlees/Kohl's Shopping Center.  The second is located inside Neshaminy Mall
"And I'm not missing a thing, watching the full moon crossing the range"

ynkeesfn82

The former Friendly's in West Hartford, CT is now Sweet Frog a Frozen Yogurt place.

http://westhartford.patch.com/articles/sweet-frog-to-open-its-doors-tuesday-afternoon

Bdubs

Former Friendly's in Middletown is now a Taco Bell.  Knocked the old building down, and built a whole new building.

Pikapower

They should have put the Taco Bell inside the old Friendly's, but remodel the inside of it. That what they did a few years ago with the former Friendly's on Maple Road in Amherst, NY that now a Tim Hortons.
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ynkeesfn82

The former Friendly's in KMART Plaza in Waterbury is now a relocated AAA office. It's really strange.

JimSawhill

Quote from: Marc B on January 22, 2013, 06:43:23 PM
The former Friendly's in West Hartford, CT is now Sweet Frog a Frozen Yogurt place.

http://westhartford.patch.com/articles/sweet-frog-to-open-its-doors-tuesday-afternoon

Nice article on Sweet Frog...

ynkeesfn82

In Wallingford, CT Kiwi Spoon a frozen yogurt shop is taking over the former Friendly's in The Holiday Cinemas Plaza on North Colony Road (Route 5). Kiwi is moving from a different location on North Colony Road and has signed a lease until 2019.

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/wallingford/article_fb48254a-e2c6-11e2-bb14-0019bb2963f4.html

ynkeesfn82

Frontera Grill and Bar - a Mexican Restaurant has taken over the former Friendly's at 800 East Main Street in Meriden, Connecticut.

http://fronterafreshmex.com/

Zayre88

Quote from: Marc B on September 08, 2013, 07:18:34 PM
Frontera Grill and Bar - a Mexican Restaurant has taken over the former Friendly's at 800 East Main Street in Meriden, Connecticut.

http://fronterafreshmex.com/

Portsmouth NH Friendly's is now a Vida Cantina Mexican restaurant

Exeter NH Friendly's is now a Mexico Lindo Mexican restaurant

ynkeesfn82




retailisking

#202
The Buckeye State franchisee abruptly pulls the plug on its remaining locations
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/friendlys_frowns_on_ohio_closi.html

ynkeesfn82

Friendly's in the Unionville section of Farmington, Connecticut closed. A sign says Bristol and Avon remain open.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Friendlys-Closed-in-Unionville-284258171.html

ynkeesfn82

The one in Keene, NH either is closing or has already closed. Saw a listing on a Commercial Realty Website for the space. It says Currently Friendly's but Friendly's is closing.

TheFugitive

Quote from: retailisking on November 26, 2014, 09:47:37 PM
The Buckeye State franchisee abruptly pulls the plug on its remaining locations
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/friendlys_frowns_on_ohio_closi.html

This was big news when I was out in Toledo last week.

retailisking

#206
West Lebanon, NH closed last month; like Unionville, this is another lease expiration situation. Is Friendly's the Sears/Kmart of restaurants?
http://www.vnews.com/news/14015057-95/friendlys-closes-its-doors
http://www.wfsb.com/story/27518432/friendlys-in-unionville-abruptly-closes

store215

Two locations near me (Warminster, Doylestown, PA) have both closed since August of this year.
Looks Friendly's is pretty much dying out.

Pikapower

It's a shame that Friendly's is a restaurant chain walking, first they left Ohio, then they left Pennsylvania, what's next no more Friendly's ice cream in stores?
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ynkeesfn82

In response to the 2 above questions. I wouldn't worry about either. According to their website they are looking for Franchise Owners to open more restaurants in many states including Ohio and Pennsylvania.

See: http://www.friendlys.com/about-friendlys/real-estate