Friendly’s Dishes Out $300,000 to Easter Seals

Media Contacts:
Patsy Taylor, Easter Seals
P: 312.551.7148
ptaylor@easterseals.com
www.easterseals.com/media

Lynn Bolton, Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC
P: 413.731.4239
lynn.bolton@friendlys.com
www.friendlys.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Annual ‘Cones for Kids’ Fundraiser Supports Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s

(Chicago, July    , 2015) – Today, Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC announced that its company-wide ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign raised $300,000 for Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s and other disability programs, funding life-changing opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities. Friendly’s has raised more than $28 million for Easter Seals since it began the ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign in 1981.

“Friendly’s caring and dedicated employees drive the continued success of the ‘Cones for Kids’ program,” said Randy Rutta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Easter Seals. “Each year, they engage restaurant guests and local communities in truly supporting our cause. Their commitment to Easter Seals makes a real difference in the lives of the individuals our organization serves.”

Contributions generated through Friendly’s 2015 ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign will benefit 17 Easter Seals programs in the areas where the funds were raised. Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s makes it possible for kids with disabilities to participate in disability programs as well as regular camp activities like boating, canoeing, swimming, archery, ropes courses, horseback riding, hiking, basketball and fishing.

“For 34 years, Friendly’s restaurant guests and employees have consistently embraced ‘Cones for Kids,’” said John M. Maguire, Chief Executive Officer, Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC. “Community involvement and supporting organizations such as Easter Seal is important to both our guests and our team members.”

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 $500 million and distribution through over 8,000 retail locations.  For 80 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. In 2014, Friendly’s won a Technomic Chain Restaurant Consumers’ Choice Award, in the category of “kid-friendly restaurant.”  For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs.  For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help, hope, and answers to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.  To learn more about Easter Seals and services in communities nationwide, visit www.easterseals.com.