Contact:

Maura C. Tobias Friendly's Restaurants 413-543-2400, ext. 2814

FRIENDLY'S DISHES OUT ECONOMIC BENEFITS AS WELL AS ICE CREAM AT NEW RESTAURANT IN WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

Wilbraham, MA (July 8, 2004) - The arrival of a new Friendly's Restaurant will mean some sweet economic benefits for Westborough, Massachusetts as well as the best ice cream in town.

The restaurant, which opens July 12, 2004 at 303 Turnpike Road, will bring jobs, tax revenues, and other benefits to the area.

"When people see a new Friendly's Restaurant, they think of family-friendly dining, and favorites like our Big Beef Hamburgers and Fribbles®. People in Westborough probably don't realize that we will be hiring approximately 102 full- and part-time employees for our new restaurant and buying local services like construction and landscaping," said Larry Rusinko, Senior Vice President, Marketing for Friendly's. "We also support area schools and charities through programs like 'Cones for Kids'".

The new 6200-square-foot restaurant has ice cream colors and a soda fountain counter, which evokes the heritage that has made Friendly's a family favorite for decades. Guests can choose from a wide variety of products, from old-time favorites like burgers, shakes and sundaes to new items like the Caesar Pleaser Chicken Sandwich, Southwest Chicken Caser Salad and BBQ Chicken Platter.

The 168-seat restaurant will be open from 7 AM to 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and 7 AM to 12 AM Friday and Saturday.

District Manager, Steve DeNapoli and General Manager, Al Brown have more than 60 years of combined experience in the food and hospitality business. "We're looking forward to serving the people of Westborough the great food and ice cream that Friendly's is known for and to being an active member of the community," said Steve DeNapoli.

The Westborough restaurant is one of approximately 15 new Friendly's Restaurants planned for opening this year.

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation (Amex: FRN) is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment in more than 540 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,500 supermarkets and other retail locations. With a 68-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently revitalizing its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base.