Friendly's Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy

The franchisee for Friendly’s on Long Island, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a company statement.

J & B Restaurant Partners of Long Island II, LLC and its investors, which own 37 Friendly’s, announced the bankruptcy filing on Tuesday. News of the bankruptcy came one day after the company acknowledged it had closed seven Long Island restaurants, including sites in East Northport, Farmingdale, Patchogue, Bay Shore, North Wantagh, North Babylon and West Babylon.

The company also announced Monday that it had closed New Jersey Friendly’s in Pompton Plains, Rockaway and Hazlet; and a Connecticut Friendly’s in Bridgeport.

The bankruptcy filing is part of a pre-negotiated and comprehensive restructuring plan.

The filing does not affect any of the 134 Friendly’s company-owned restaurants or the additional 134 Friendly’s restaurants operated by other franchisees.

The company still operates 18 Friendly’s on Long Island, with additional sites in New Jesrey. Despite the bankruptcy filing, J & B plans to refurbish 11 locations, according to Newsday.

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