A Burger King franchisee said it plans to open two units co-branded with a new ice-cream-only variant of the Friendly’s family-dining chain.
Georgetowne Ventures, which operates 14 Burger Kings, said the new BK restaurants in Jackson, N.J., would feature separate counters, called Friendly’s Scoop. The first co-branded restaurant is expected open Aug. 15.
“It’s going to be an ice-cream-only menu from the traditional Friendly’s menu,” said Joe Anghelone, managing member of Freehold, N.J.-based Georgetowne Ventures.
Georgetowne Ventures also is looking at two sites to open full-service Friendly’s in New Jersey’s Monmouth County.
Friendly Ice Cream Corp., parent of the 499-unit Friendly’s Ice Cream family-dining chain, said it planned to roll out additional Friendly’s Scoop locations in strip malls and lifestyle centers. It did not provide a time frame for when those locations would open.
Friendly’s Scoop is the latest variant for the family-dining chain, which debuted a fast-casual concept, called Friendly’s Express, in 2009. The express version features counter service and a streamlined menu of sandwiches, burgers and ice cream.
“We are very pleased to partner with Georgetowne Ventures as we expand in New Jersey and prepare for the launch of our Friendly’s Ice Cream Shop concept,” Harsha V. Agadi, Friendly’s chairman and chief executive, said in a statement. “With their years of experience and success as restaurant franchisees, we know that [partners] Joe [Anghelone] and John [Poloski] will act as great stewards of the Friendly’s brand.”
Friendly Ice Cream Corp., based in Wilbraham, Mass., had annual U.S. systemwide sales of $596.9 million for 2010, according to information supplied by the company for the 2011 Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 special report.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @foodwriterdiary
