Friendly's
Headquarters:
1855 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Employees: 16,000+
CEO: Ned Lidvall
Privately held
Website:
http://www.friendlys.com
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation operates a chain of restaurants called Friendly's serving sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment. There are over 500 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast in 16 states.
The company also manufactures ice cream,
which is distributed through more than 4,000 supermarkets and
other retail locations. The chain is also known for its ice cream
cakes.
In 2007, Friendly Ice Cream was acquired by Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm for $15.50 per share. The company is no longer publicly traded.
History
In 1935 at the height of the Great Depression,
two brothers, 20-year old Prestley and 18-year old Curtis Blake
opened a neighborhood ice cream shop in Springfield, MA with
double-dip cones for 5 centers. The young entrepreneurs named
the business "Friendly" with the intention of providing
warm, caring neighborly service to all who visit.
A second Friendly opens in 1940 in West
Springfield. Customer demand inspires the Blake's to add food
to the ice cream menu -- with the first item a hamburger.
The company would move to its current headquarters
in Wilbraham, MA in 1960.
The Blake's sold Friendly to Hershey Foods
Corporation in 1979.
In 1988, Donald Smith would purchase Friendly
from Hershey Foods and operate it independently. The "s"
is added to the restaurant name in 1989.
The company would go public in 1997.
Benefits
Full-Time
Paid Vacation
On-the-Job Travel Accidental Death
Bereavement Leave
All Part-time Benefits
Part-Time
Starbridge Plan Limited Medical, Dental and Accidental Death
Employee Food Purchase Discounts
Workers Compensation
Eyecare Savings Plan
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