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 MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK

Wilbraham, MA (August 12, 2004) - The arrival of a new Friendly's Restaurant will mean some sweet economic benefits for Massapequa Park, New York as well as the best ice cream in town.

The restaurant, which opens August 16, 2004 at 4812 Sunrise Highway, will bring jobs, tax revenues, and other benefits, according to Jerry Snearly, Chief Financial Officer of J & B Restaurant Partners of Long Island, LLC, which owns the restaurant.

"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 Massapequa Park probably don't realize that the franchisee will hire approximately 100 full and part-time employees for the new restaurant and is 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 as the Easter Seals 'Cones for Kids' program".

For a limited time, guests at the Massapequa Park Friendly's can also enjoy some extra special treats: a free Happy Ending Sundae with the purchase of any of our featured chicken meals. Guests can also indulge on the featured ice cream flavor - Velvet Praline Crunch.

The 136-seat restaurant will be open from 6AM to 12AM Sunday through Thursday and 6AM to1AM on Friday and Saturday.

General Manager, Ron Gavilanes and District Manager, John Frohnhoefer, have more than 50 years of experience combined in the food and hospitality business. "We're looking forward to serving the people of Massapequa Park the great food and ice cream that Friendly's is known for and to being an active member of the community," said John Frohnhoefer.

The Massapequa Park restaurant is one of approximately 15 new Friendly's Restaurants planned for opening this year throughout the chain. The company has enjoyed strong comparable sales growth in the past few years.

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.