Friendly's

[BillyGr]

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]

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]

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!!! :)

[ynkeesfn82]

Whiting Farms Road location in Holyoke closed for good last night.

http://www.wggb.com/2012/09/24/friendlys-on-whiting-farms-road-in-holyoke-closes-suddenly/?doing_wp_cron=1348490880.1855890750885009765625

[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]

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

[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.

[retailisking]

http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2013/01/friendlys_debuts_new_look_plan_for_the_f.html

[ynkeesfn82]

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

[JimSawhill]

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]

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]

Friendly's on King Street in Northampton, Massachusetts has closed.

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/story/26317111/downtown-northampton-friendlys-restaurant-closes

[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/

Frontera is being kicked out and the former Friendly's building where they are located is being demolished and an Advance Auto Parts store - the 2nd location in Meriden will be built on the site.

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/5226695-129/mexican-eatery-in-meriden-may-be-replaced-by-auto-parts.html

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/5248239-129/manager-patrons-dont-want-to-see-mexican-restaurant-leave-meriden.html

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/news/business/5303129-129/meriden-planning-commission-reviews-plan-to-demolish-frontera-grill-building.html

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/5322665-129/meriden-rallies-for-restaurant.html

[ynkeesfn82]

Kind of cheesy, but 10 reasons Friendly's is the best.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/03/friendlys-restaurant-best-love_n_5752486.html

[retailisking]

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]

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]

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?

[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