Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC to Acquire 35 Restaurants in New York State

Wilbraham, MA (July 29, 2013) – Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC, the operator of Friendly’s restaurants and a manufacturer of ice cream products distributed in over 7500 retail outlets, announced today  it will acquire 35 of its franchised restaurants located in New York State and owned by the Kessler Family, LLC for an undisclosed amount. Since John Maguire joined as CEO in May 2012, the 78-year-old company has focused on working to reposition itself and bring the brand back to its roots.

“We’re happy that this initiative is allowing us to preserve the employment of over 1,300 Friendly’s employees in New York State,” said Maguire. “As we look ahead to the future, we have every intention of maintaining the same level of commitment to these restaurants as the Kessler Family, LLC has had over the years.”

Friendly’s acquisition of 35 restaurants in the upstate New York area, including Friendly’s locations in Rochester, Syracuse, Geneva, Corning and Ithaca comes at a key point for the brand. Over the past year, Friendly’s has been working to boost the brand’s image with consumers by focusing its attention on the improvement of the restaurants’ service and food as well as the retraining of its staff. This is a great example of Friendly’s commitment to the continued development and enhancement of the company.

The transaction is expected to be completed on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 and Friendly’s ownership of the restaurants will go into effect on Thursday, August 1, 2013. During the transfer of ownership from the Kessler Family, LLC to Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC, guests will experience no disruption of restaurant service.

A complete list of restaurants that Friendly’s is acquiring is as follows:

2760 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY
10 South Main Street, Jamestown, NY
2502 West State Street, Olean, NY
3935 Dewey Avenue, Greece, NY
1206 Ridge Road, Webster, NY
4 Spencerport Road, Rochester, NY
3701 James Street, Syracuse, NY
192-196 West Bridge Street, Oswego, NY
287 Hamilton Street, Geneva, NY
3275 Erie Boulevard, Dewitt, NY
6555 Fourth Section Boulevard, Brockport, NY
2425 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY
3081 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY
2717 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY
2309 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY
5407 West Genesee Street, Camillus, NY
170 Clinton Avenue, Cortland, NY
770 Miracle Drive, Rochester, NY
Box 2086, NYS Route 31, Clay, NY
338 Greece Ridge Center Mall, Rochester, NY
1148 Front Street, Binghamton, NY
561 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City, NY
301 East Main Street, Endicott, NY
Arnot Mall, Horseheads, NY
41 Main Street, Hornell, NY
Riverside Plaza, W Pulteney St, Corning, NY
2669 Corning Road, Horseheads, NY
377 Main Street, Oneonta, NY
1233 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY
3450 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell, NY
4350 Maple Road, Amherst, NY
6651 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY
1700 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, NY
3873 State Route 31, Liverpool, NY
697 Eastview Mall, Victor, NY (Express)

In an initiative separate from the Friendly’s acquisition, on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, the Kessler Family, LLC will close eight of its restaurants in New York, listed below.

A complete list of restaurants that the Kessler Family, LLC is closing is as follows:

1700 N. James Street, Rome, NY
145 W. State Rte. 281, Cortland, NY
7560 Oswego Road, Liverpool, NY
501 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY
109 Genesee Street, Oneida, NY
323-325 Elmira Road, Ithaca, NY
3604 Vestal Parkway, Vestal, NY
87 Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY

About Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC:

Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC is a vertically integrated restaurant company, with an iconic brand name, serving signature sandwiches, burgers and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment.  Together with its broad franchisee base, the company has system-wide sales of over $550 million and distribution through over 7,500 retail locations.  For 78 years, Friendly’s restaurants and dedicated service teams have delighted generations of guests.  For the future, Friendly’s has plans for new food and ice cream products, enhanced buildings, and new service channels.  For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.