Operations

Friendly’s debuts new prototype

Friendly’s has debuted a new restaurant prototype, MassLive.com reports.

The new design, which includes a drive-thru and a revamped soda fountain area, signals the family-dining chain’s ongoing attempt to revitalize its brand.

The prototype can be seen at the chain’s new location in Marlborough, Mass., which is the second location the chain has opened this year. Friendly’s hopes to open five to 10 new locations annually by 2019, President and CEO John Maguire told MassLive.com.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Despite their complaints, customers keep flocking to Chipotle

The Bottom Line: The chain continued to be a juggernaut last quarter, with strong sales and traffic growth, despite frequent social media complaints about shrinkflation or other challenges.

Operations

Hitting resistance elsewhere, ghost kitchens and virtual concepts find a happy home in family dining

Reality Check: Old-guard chains are finding the alternative operations to be persistently effective side hustles.

Financing

The Tijuana Flats bankruptcy highlights the dangers of menu miscues

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain’s problems following new menu debuts in 2021 and 2022 show that adding new items isn’t always the right idea.

Trending

More from our partners