Friendly's Restaurant Chain Begins Transformation

Just over a year after emerging from bankruptcy, the Friendly’s restaurant chain on Monday introduced redesigned stores and updated menus.

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Friendly’s , which lost business over the last decade to casual dining competitors, is hoping  to get people back into its booths in renovated restaurants that have a retro-look. A new menu includes classic best sellers and new items.  CEO John Maguire says there is an emphasis on better food quality and faster service. 

Friendly’s opened five renovated restaurants in the Springfield area and five in Maine  Monday to serve as test locations. Friendly’s which was founded by two brothers in Springfield during the Great Depression filed for  bankruptcy protection in 2011, closed 100 restaurants and laid off about 2000 employees.