Concord's North Main Street Friendly's Restaurant To Close Sunday

CONCORD, NH — The writing on the sign posted earlier this week, to the surprise of many, says it all: The Friendly's Restaurant location on North Main Street in the North End will close Sunday. Another staple of Downtown Concord life from a bygone era will end as the beleaguered chain, which once had more than 800 locations in as many as 15 states in the late-1980s, shrinks to around 150. In March, the company, headquartered in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, said it was making changes to its marketing strategy in an effort to try and save the historic chain, known best for its breakfasts and ice cream.

The CEO of the Friendly's parent company, George Michel of FIC Restaurants, said at the time that the effort was to "infuse new energy" so that the company's products remained relevant to a new generation of customers.

Since then, locations around the Northeast have been closing. From Alton in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to Saugus, Stoneham, Lee, and Falmouth in Massachusetts, locations in Connecticut and New York, and even the last location in Rhode Island, have all been shuttered during the past six months.

Previously, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2011, in an effort to implement a quick financial restructuring. At that time, the chain had 424 locations and closed more than 60 underperforming restaurants. It emerged from bankruptcy about four months later, restructuring the company's finances as well as lease agreements at all but 37 locations, which were later closed.

The chain was established in 1935 in Springfield, MA, with many of the locations owned by franchisees.

Concord's Loudon Road location is expected to remain open.

Got a news tip? Send it to Tony Schinella at tony.schinella@patch.com.

View more videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyschinella.