Mr. William F. Malloy
President
FOREST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
223 Forest Park Avenue
Springfield, MA 01108

Thank you for your August 19 and September 25 correspondence requesting that Friendly’s consider modifying our 65 Sumner Avenue restaurant’s external decor package.

While we appreciate the role that the Forest Park Civic Association plays in helping to protect and maintain the historical integrity of the district, we must respectfully decline your requests: Friendly’s obtained the appropriate building permits for renovating our restaurant with our new "Focus 2000’ image package through the City of Springfield on December 15, 1997. Renovations to the restaurant began on March 1,1998 and were completed four days later. For your information the "Focus 2000" image package is being implemented chain wide as a corporate strategy designed to significantly upgrade the image of all new and existing restaurants.

As is always the case, our customers tend to be honest and forthcoming with their opinions regarding our refurbished restaurants. At the end of the day, their opinions are most thoroughly articulated through their decision to frequent and support the restaurant, a local business in their community.

Our customers have spoken and I am pleased to tell you that Friendly’s Sumner Avenue restaurant is thriving - a scenario that I can only imagine Forest Park residents are happy to hear! Not only does Friendly’s employ a number of outstanding residents from the local community, we are also honored to be serving a growing customer base from Forest Park and Greater Springfield.

We thank you Mr. Malloy and your fellow members of the Forest Park Civic Association for contacting us, and hope that you too will come to the conclusion that despite your disapproval of certain aspects of the external decor package, the positive consumer response to the upgraded renovations at out restaurant on Sumner Avenue am what should be focused on. Friendly’s Sumner Avenue restaurant is a fine example of the type of well managed, well maintained and cared for business that the entire community can be proud of.

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation · 1855 Boston Road · Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095 · (413) 543-2400