Friendly’s a Top Entertainment Pick in Local Newspaper’s Reader Raves Competition

Wilbraham, Mass. June 19, 2012 – Friendly’s scooped the competition when it was named as the “Best Ice Cream Shop” by locals responding to a poll sponsored by The Republican and MassLive.com. Winners were announced on Sunday, June 17.

In the Summer/Fall edition of a new twice-yearly survey of reader preferences dubbed “Reader Raves,” The Republican and MassLive.com asked area readers to name their favorites for specific topics or places within each of the following broad categories: News, Business, Entertainment, Pioneer Valley Life and Sports. This edition of “Reader Raves” focused on activities popular in the summer and fall, and in the Entertainment category Friendly’s received the most reader nominations for “Best Ice Cream Shop.”

The Reader Raves poll is different from typical “Best Of” polls because it solicits open-ended reader nominations. Readers are free to nominate any business, venue, individual, etc., as their “favorite” in its category, rather than choosing from a multiple-choice list.

“We’re excited that local readers of The Republican and MassLive.com named Friendly’s the Best Ice Cream Shop in their neighborhood,” said Tony Lavely, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Ice cream and summer go hand-in-hand, and to know that so many people consider Friendly’s the best place to go for a cool summer treat is a real ‘treat’ for us, too.”

The Republican and MassLive will honor all winners at a red-carpet style event at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House on June 27.

About Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC
Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC is a new, vertically integrated restaurant company, with a legendary brand name, serving signature sandwiches, entrees 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 over 76 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.