Friendly’s Spreads the Wealth with “Random Acts of Friendlyness” Surprise Cash Giveaways Totaling $10,000

10 unsuspecting Friendly’s customers to be surprised with $1,000 cash giveaways

ALBANY, New York (December 6, 2010) – Over the course of two weeks in December, 10 unsuspecting Friendly’s customers will leave the restaurant with more than just a satisfied appetite as the lucky recipients of a $1,000 surprise cash giveaway during the “Random Acts of Friendlyness” Albany market tour.

During the weeks of December 6 and 13, Friendly’s executives will bestow “Random Acts of Friendlyness” on the Capital Region when they surprise 10 randomly selected Friendly’s customers with $1,000 in cash. The in-store cash giveaways will be awarded at select Friendly’s restaurants throughout the greater Capital Region. Friendly’s executives will award $10,000 to guests over the course of the two-week promotion.

Friendly’s Chief Executive Officer Harsha Agadi awarded the first “Random Act of Friendlyness” cash prize today to an unsuspecting customer at the Friendly’s location on Central Avenue in Albany, NY. Agadi went on to surprise customers at two additional locations during the afternoon.

“All of us at Friendly’s are strongly committed to providing the best experience possible for our loyal patrons with the goal of turning each visit into a celebration. As we approach the hectic holiday season, we want to extend our gratitude to our valued guests for simple selecting Friendly’s as their dining destination by spreading a dose of friendliness throughout the Capital Region,” said Agadi. “We strongly believe this is the perfect time to invest in the Capital Region to help support the local community and economy. We look forward to making this time of the year brighter with the friendly gift of $1,000 cash.”

The “Random Acts of Friendlyness” initiative is one of a series of promotions and contests planned throughout the month of December at Friendly’s locations throughout the greater Capital Region. In addition to the surprise $1,000 giveaways, Friendly’s customers will have the opportunity to win $5,000 in cash during the “Unwrap the Cash Scratch ‘n Win” sweepstakes. Through December 31, each table will receive a Scratch ‘n Win card at the end of their meal for the chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 in cash.

Ten second prize winners will each receive a Friendly’s dinner for four for an entire year (one dinner per month). Additional prizes include a free kids meal with purchase of adult entrée; a free three-scoop sundae with purchase of adult entrée; and a free appetizer with purchase of adult entrée. Limit one card per table; offer valid at participating Capital Region locations.

The promotions follow the announcement that Albany will serve as a test market for significant upgrades and improvements to the Friendly’s brand. Through the “Empire State Project”, Friendly’s will invest nearly $2 million into its 17 locations throughout the region.

The improvements include complete remodels of four Friendly’s restaurants, including major facility upgrades such as new paint, rugs, lighting, bathrooms, and extensive kitchen upgrades. The four restaurants which received full remodels are based in East Greenbush, on Hoosick Street in Troy, and on Central Avenue and Wolf Road in Albany.

Friendly’s 13 other locations in the Capital Region have each received facility touch-ups and common sense remodels, such as new paint, rugs, and light fixtures.

Friendly’s also introduced new breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream menus in the Albany market. The new menus are designed to provide guests with family-friendly, affordable, classic American options in line with the Friendly’s tradition, including Seasoned Grilled Chicken Sliders and a Roasted Turkey Dinner, and three innovative Breakfast Skillets during morning dining hours.

Additionally, the new menus feature a number of health-conscious “better-for-you” options, including the Chicken Caprese Sandwich, Asian Chicken Salad, and a choice of side dishes such as broccoli and carrots for adults and celery sticks and mandarin oranges for children.

The “Empire State Project” encompasses Friendly’s 17 locations throughout the greater Capital Region, including the following: on Western Avenue, Wolf Road and Central Avenue in Albany; Clifton Park; Colonie; East Greenbush; Elsmere; Glens Falls; Glenville; Johnstown; on New Loudon Road and Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham; Queensbury; on Route 50 and Congress Street in Saratoga Springs; Schenectady; and Troy.