Friendly’s Announces Opening of Blackwood, New Jersey Restaurant

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The iconic dining and ice cream brand will introduce a new location in Blackwood on February 2

WILBRAHAM, MA (February 2, 2016) – Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC, the operator of Friendly’s restaurants and a manufacturer of ice cream products distributed in over 8,000 retail outlets, is pleased to announce the opening of a new Friendly’s restaurant in Blackwood, New Jersey on February 2, 2016. Amol Kohli, a Friendly’s franchisee, who owns and operates nine Friendly’s locations throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will open the new restaurant at 100 Premium Outlets Drive in Blackwood, New Jersey. In December 2015, Kohli also opened a Friendly’s restaurant in Voorhees, New Jersey.

“We couldn’t be more excited for our brand to open another new location in New Jersey,” said John Maguire, President and CEO of Friendly’s. “Over the last few years, we’ve worked hard to make exciting changes to our restaurants, not only improving the quality of our food and service, but also our overall appearance, and this opening is a true testament to the positive direction that Friendly’s is headed in for the future.”

Friendly’s in Blackwood will open in the Gloucester Premium Outlets and boast 3,332 square feet with 134 seats. The location will serve guests classic menu items such as Friendly’s Big Beef® Burgers, fresh salads, signature SuperMelt® sandwiches, and of course, a full dessert selection including premium ice cream flavors, sundaes and the popular Fribble®.

“We’re excited to expand the Friendly’s brand in New Jersey and allow even more guests to experience the quality food and ice cream that has become synonymous with the Friendly’s name,” said Amol Kohli, CEO and President of AARK Hospitality Gloucester Inc. “As a teenager, working at Friendly’s was my first job, and I am proud to be able offer others that same experience. We look forward to the additional jobs that will result from the opening of this new restaurant.”

Over the last three years, Friendly’s has improved its overall guest experience through a variety of initiatives, including updating menu items, retraining and recertifying staff members, and refreshing the interior and exterior appearances of its restaurants. In April 2015, Friendly’s opened a successful new quick-service restaurant at Logan International Airport in Boston, Mass. The opening of the new Blackwood location, as well as the recently opened Voorhees restaurant, mark the first new brick and mortar Friendly’s restaurants to open since 2010. These openings are another key example of how Friendly’s is positioning itself for continued growth in the ever-changing family-friendly dining industry.

About Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC

Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC is a vertically integrated company with an iconic brand name, serving signature sandwiches, burgers and ice cream desserts in friendly, family restaurants and offering a wide variety of packaged ice cream and other frozen treats in retail stores across America. Together with its franchisees, the company has system-wide sales of over $500 million. For 80 years, Friendly’s restaurants and dedicated service teams have delighted generations of guests.  Friendly’s retail division distributes ice cream cartons, cakes, sundae cups, rolls and novelty items in over 8,000 retail locations throughout all 50 states.  For the future, Friendly’s has plans for new food and ice cream products, bright new restaurants and different ways for us to reach and satisfy customers.  For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.