Restaurants & Bars
Friendly's Trying Something New In Massachusetts
It's been a rocky road for Friendly's, which is trying to reinvent itself with a new Friendly's Café opening next month.
WESTFIELD, MA — Whatever Friendly's was trying wasn't working. That became apparent after its second bankruptcy in a decade resulted in a sale last year.
So Friendly's is trying something new.
The once-ubiquitous chain of ice cream diners is completing a fast-casual Friendly's Café in Westfield, which will open in early February and celebrate a grand opening in March.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The new-look Friendly's will still have "beloved Friendly's menu items," a spokesperson said, but will be served in a fast-casual service model. Customers can still order at the counter, but they can also find seating, scan a QR code and order food and ice cream to their table.
The 2,700-square foot Friendly's will be able to seat 45 guests and have one side of the building dedicated to curbside pick-up. Customers can also order in advance and pick up their food or have it delivered.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Friendly's CEO Craig Erlich told MassLive there will also be new menu items.
It's a fresh try for Friendly's, which was sold to Amici Partners last year for less than $2 million after declaring bankruptcy again.
There are about two dozen Friendly's in Massachusetts, according to its website.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
