# Friendly's chain shrinks to 87 locations

> Friendly's restaurant chain, once 850 locations, now operates 87 stores across 11 states, with experts saying nostalgia could revive it.
- Title: Friendly's chain shrinks to 87 locations · Fox News | Shortify
- Summary: Friendly's restaurant chain, once 850 locations, now operates 87 stores across 11 states, with experts saying nostalgia could revive it. Friendly's has 87…
- Keywords: friendly's, ice cream, restaurant chain, nfl, massachusetts, boston, boston globe, news, politics, chain, shrinks, locations
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/food-drink/beloved-restaurant-chain-known-ice-cream-now-operates-handful-states
- Author: Teresa Mull
- Published: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: friendly's, ice cream, restaurant chain, nfl, massachusetts, boston, boston globe, news, politics
## Friendly's chain shrinks
Friendly's restaurant chain, once 850 locations, now operates 87 locations in 11 states.
## Founded in 1935
Friendly's was founded in 1935 by brothers Prestley and Curtis Blake in Springfield, Massachusetts.
## 90th anniversary in 2025
Friendly's celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2025, decades after starting as a neighborhood ice cream shop.
## Expert sees potential
Marketing professor Barbara E. Kahn says Friendly's has 'positive DNA' and 'a lot of life left' despite recent closures.

> Friendly's has 'positive DNA,' and there's 'a lot of life left' in the Friendly's brand.
## Nostalgia trend
Kahn notes Friendly's could leverage nostalgia while adapting to modern tastes and preferences.
## What happens next
Friendly's may add non-meat items, healthy grains, and salads to attract new customers and revive its brand.
## Key takeaway

Friendly's has 87 locations after cutting from 850, but a marketing expert says its nostalgic appeal and adaptability could help it thrive.