Friendly’s is a longtime American restaurant brand known for its family-friendly atmosphere and classic comfort food. The concept traces its roots back to 1935, when brothers S. Prestley Blake and Curtis Blake opened their first ice-cream shop in Springfield, Massachusetts. Their original store became popular during the Great Depression by serving affordable nickel cones and creating a warm, inviting space for local families.
Today, the company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, under the ownership of Brix Holdings LLC, which purchased the brand in 2021.
The menu highlights American staples such as burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and its well-loved ice-cream sundaes. Friendly’s is recognized for its nostalgic feel, approachable service, and dessert-focused experience that appeals to guests of all ages. The brand places emphasis on creating enjoyable, memorable dining moments for families.
Friendly’s began offering franchise opportunities in 1996 and has since introduced its “Friendly’s 2.0” model. This updated restaurant format improves operational flow while showcasing a modern look that still reflects the brand’s longstanding identity.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Friendly’s Restaurants Franchising Co, LLC provides structured training and support programs for its franchisees. The programs aim to ensure consistency in operations and prepare the franchisee’s team for opening and running the restaurant efficiently. These training offerings vary based on whether it is the first or second location being opened by the franchisee.
Friendly’s Restaurants Franchising Co, LLC provide a form of territorial protection known as the “Protected Area” for its franchisees. This area is typically defined as a one-mile radius from the front entrance of the franchisee's restaurant or a geographic area mapped in the agreement.
Within this area, Friendly’s agrees not to open or permit another Friendly’s Restaurant, except in “Non-Traditional Venues” such as airports, schools, or malls, which are expressly excluded from the Protected Area.
However, this protection is not absolute. The franchisor, its affiliates, and third-party services retain certain reserved rights. For example, third-party delivery services may operate in overlapping areas, and Friendly’s does not consider such overlaps a breach of the territory rights.
Additionally, Friendly’s may sell branded products in retail channels within the Protected Area or license other systems that do not fall under the franchise agreement.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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