Stoneham Friendly's Is Shutting Down

STONEHAM, MA — Friendly's in Stoneham will be the latest location of the struggling ice cream chain to close. The Main Street restaurant's last day of business will be Nov. 10.

“As shifting consumer demographics and market dynamics present challenges across the industry, it is incumbent on us to regularly evaluate our restaurant footprint with a focus on long-term viability and strategic resource investment as we work to re-invigorate the beloved Friendly’s brand," Friendly's said in an emailed statement. "Unfortunately, in some cases, this process results in the difficult decision to close underperforming locations that can no longer be sustained by the local market."

The Massachusetts-based chain, founded in Wilbraham in 1935, filed for bankruptcy in 2011. It closed more than 20 of its restaurants nationwide this year, including four in Massachusetts and its last Rhode Island location.