WICKED CRAVING FOR A FRIBBLE: Friendly's has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading towards a potential unhappy ending for the venerable chain. (I didn't realize that Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc as well as Fuddruckers had also taken the plunge this year.)
As part of the announcement, these 63 restaurants have served their final Fishamajig®, leaving 424 to hopefully celebrate many Jim Dandy™ days to come.
Also awesome? The restructuring vehicle isn't named "Friendly's Acquisition Co." or similar, but "Sundae Group Holdings II, LLC." (Perhaps more awesome? There apparently already was a "Sundae Group Holdings, LLC" in Delaware already.)
ReplyDeleteI have many fond memories of Friendly's sundaes from my youth. Sad.
ReplyDeleteConehead sundae, cold dead hands, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what happens to their branded boxed grocery store ice cream? Because as far as I know it's the only way to get orange sherbet swirled with vanilla ice cream in this frozen dessert desert they call New York City.
Reese's Pieces sundae in the goblet, hold the marshmallow.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess that's produced under license by someone else. Friendly's may have the right to reject that license in bankruptcy, but it's unlikely they'd do so unless the terms are seriously problematic.
ReplyDeleteFriendly's was a middle school staple after dances and plays. God speed, Friendly's.
ReplyDeleteFishamajigs are no joke.
ReplyDeleteOh, Reese's sundae. Friendly's is the one restaurant I vividly remember going to when I was very young, and it's all because of that sundae.
ReplyDeleteI actually breathed a sigh of relief when I read the list and saw that the Friendly's in my hometown isn't closing. That place got a good majority of my meager high school dollars, and I have fond memories of childhood shopping outings with my mom and late grandmother that always ended up there, where my grandmother always got the unfortunately yet brilliantly named Fishamajig sandwich. I'll have to get a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup sundae the next time I'm visiting the folks.
ReplyDeleteFriendly's peanut butter sauce is fantastic. I have never found any other that tastes the same and trust me I have looked!
ReplyDeleteI still take my niece's there everytime I visit them for Reece's Sundaes. Glad to see the one near their house isn't closing.... yet.
Am I the only person who has been to a Friendly's RECENTLY. They're atrocious. I, too, have fond memories from my childhood, but it's not a good experience now (or, at least, mine have not been good experiences). My main criteria in a quick service restaurant that caters largely to families with small kids is QUICK, and they are not.
ReplyDeleteI have, and it was a pretty good experience for us. And they have those color changing straws, which were a life-changer for my kids.
ReplyDeleteThe food, however, isn't nearly as good as I remember. But the peppermint stick ice cream still rocks.