Sponsored By

Friendly’s debuts first fast-casual cafeFriendly’s debuts first fast-casual cafe

Famly-dining brand creates 2,700-square-foot unit with counter service and QR-code ordering-payment

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 2, 2022

1 Min Read
Friendly's Cafe Westfield Mass
Friendly's Restaurants Co. LLC opened the fast-casual cafe Feb. 26 in Westfield, Mass.Friendly's Restaurants Co. LLC

Friendly's Restaurants Co. LLC, the family-dining brand, has opened its first fast-casual Friendly’s Café in Westfield, Mass., the company said Tuesday.

The Hauppauge, N.Y.-based family-dining brand said the 2,700-square-foot Café, with 45 seats, includes four outdoor parking spots dedicated to curbside pickup and quick-response code ordering and payment.

The fast-casual unit opened Feb. 26 with a menu of some Friendly’s menu items, including hamburgers, melts, entrees and ice cream sundaes.

“Friendly’s Cafe will deliver our time-tested Friendly’s menu, putting an emphasis on fresh ingredients, convenience, to-go and delivery in a fun and joyful environment,” said Craig Erlich, CEO of Friendly’s Restaurants, in a statement.

“We envision Friendly’s Cafe as an opportunity for further menu and technology innovation to meet our customer’s changing desires, while also still adhering to our mission of bringing family and friends around the table to make new memories,” Erlich said.

The company said customers have the option of ordering at the counter or through the QR code at their table, to which orders are delivered.

“Customers will also be able to order food online in advance and pick-up their items from the designated to-go area or have it delivered,” the company said.

Related:Amici Partners Group finalizes acquisition of Friendly’s Restaurants

The Friendly’s Cafe menu features items like the Tater Kegs appetizer, $100,000 Cobb Salad, Legendary Honey BBQ Chicken SuperMelt, Dorito’s Cool Ranch ChoppedCheese Burger and Bangin’ Beef Stroganoff.

A grand opening event is planned for April 6.

Friendly's Restaurants Co. LLC, founded in 1935, has 130 full-service restaurants.

Dallas-based Amici Partners Group LLC acquired Friendly’s in January 2021 in a bankruptcy asset sale.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like