According to The Sun, A popular Friendly’s location has officially closed its doors for the last time, making way for a rival food chain. The Friendly’s restaurant in West Springfield, Massachusetts, abruptly shut down on October 27.
A Brief History of Friendly’s
Friendly’s was founded in 1935 in Springfield’s Pine Point neighborhood. At its peak in the 1970s, the chain boasted nearly 800 locations along the East Coast. Today, only 24 Friendly’s remain in Massachusetts, with locations in Holyoke, Agawam, and Springfield.
New Beginnings for Chick-fil-A
The West Springfield location is set to be taken over by Chick-fil-A, much to the dismay of local fans of the ice cream shop. Upset patrons flocked to the MassLive Facebook page to share their fond memories of Friendly’s.
One commenter reminisced, “I’ll always have a soft spot for their Buffalo chicken salad… so good.” Another expressed nostalgia, saying, “They’re few and far between. Used to be so good.”
Concerns Over Traffic Congestion
While many fans shared their memories, residents voiced concerns about the expected traffic chaos that a Chick-fil-A would bring to Riverside Road. One individual noted, “Riverdale Rd is already chaos; this is gonna make it even worse.” Another added, “I have no idea how that location will be able to support the traffic from Chick-fil-A without causing even more chaos.”
A third commenter emphasized the need for careful planning, stating, “I’m all for new business. The town of West Springfield needs to give some serious consideration to the proposed traffic plan that Chick-fil-A will have because Route 5 Riverdale is already a highly congested road.”
TGI Fridays Faces Its Own Struggles
The closure of Friendly’s comes amid a troubling trend for restaurant chains. TGI Fridays recently shut down 50 more locations across the U.S. due to bankruptcy fears, bringing its total footprint down to 164 restaurants. According to Bloomberg, the burger chain is preparing to file for bankruptcy in the coming weeks, marking another chapter in the long history of closures for the 59-year-old chain.
Also read: Social Security Update: Eligible 62-Year-Olds Set to Receive Approximately $1,921 Payment Soon
Restaurant Apocalypse
This wave of closures is part of a broader trend affecting several restaurant chains this year. Notable closures include Red Lobster, America’s largest seafood chain, and the Italian dining chain Buca di Beppo. Many restaurants attribute their struggles to changing consumer behavior as inflation impacts spending.
Food prices have risen, with diners now paying approximately 4% more than they did in May of last year. Amid ongoing inflation, many consumers are opting for home-cooked meals over dining out at chain restaurants.
TGI Fridays: A Look Back
Founded in New York City in 1965, TGI Fridays describes itself as “the original casual dining bar and grill.” The restaurant aims to bring people together to socialize and celebrate the liberating spirit of “Friday.” Initially designed as a place for young singles to meet, TGI Fridays now serves guests in over 850 restaurants across more than 55 countries.
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