3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Friendly's

Day 239/365: A Friendly’s Perfect Ending Ice Cream Sundae

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Does anyone need any reminders that I love Friendly’s ice cream sundaes? Don’t think so. Since Friendly’s restaurants have yet to open a store in Nebraska I have to get my fill when I return to Connecticut. This was my third and last stop of my Connecticut trip and it was a perfect way to end our Block Island trip.

Friendly's Sundae
Friendly’s Sundae, a perfect ending to any outing

Sure, I could make my own ice cream sundaes at home, but they wouldn’t be the same as the experience of sitting in a booth after a day of fun and adventure with friends.

Did you know you could buy Friendly’s gift cards on Amazon? Heck ya!! If anyone is thinking of a gift for me around the time I’m going back home to New England this is a GREAT idea!!!

Friendly’s Gift Card $25

Until then I’m just going to have to create my own ice cream sundae creations. First, you HAVE to use vintage ice cream sundae glasses. It’s even better if you can store it in the freezer.

I’m partial to the larger sundae glasses, more room for ice cream and toppings, but for kids, paper ice cream bowls are more manageable. Next, you need toppings.

An ice cream sundae bar is a perfect addition to a graduation party or a wedding reception. Order custom printed ice cream cups for your special occasion.

I keep the Glad twist top containers filled with chopped peanuts, sprinkles, crushed cookies, crushed butterfingers, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows,  and a variety of sundae syrups in the fridge.

What are your favorite sundae and toppings? Do you like to make a monster sundae and share with others or create a sundae bar? This classy looking acrylic toppings dispenser would be perfect for any ice cream bar.

For my youngest son’s high school graduation we had a sundae bar which was a big hit and a unique party theme. For this special occasion we bought sundae bowls in bulk and these, of course, were plastic.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

So just because I can’t go to my local Friendly’s restaurant for an ice cream sundae fix doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy my ice cream. I use every opportunity to share my love of ice cream with others at celebrations.

Order these cute ice cream sundae bar printables for your next party. They are bound to make your celebration even more special.

Day 40/365: Friendly’s Sundae Break

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Day 40: Friendly's Sundae Break

Oh, how this Mint Chocolate Chip Sundae at Friendly’s Restaurant hit the spot. Every part of this sundae from the whipped cream to the smooth ice cream and rich hot chocolate was so delicious and the best part is I shared it with my best friend Laura.

A friend who opened up her door early Saturday morning at 1:30 am and let me crash on her couch, a friend who held my hand through the worst of the day, and a friend who from across 1500 miles still knows when I need a phone call before I do.

We don’t have Friendly’s Restaurants in Nebraska, and every time I go home to Connecticut this tradition has to be fulfilled. There isn’t any other ice cream restaurant like it in the United States. Sure, they serve food, and other restaurants serve ice cream, but none dedicates a whole menu just to sundaes.

A little part of world disappeared as we sat, laughed, and made mmmmm,….,mmmmm sounds as we savored our twin mint chocolate chip sundaes.

Day 40: Couldn't resist another picture...a "Happy Ending"

 

Friendly’s Restaurant

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I’m not too passionate about restaurants, but Friendly’s restaurant is my exception.  Give me two minutes of your time and I’ll tell you why.

For those of you that live west of New York you may not understand the reason why I love a restaurant and why it holds a dear place in my heart. The credit goes to my teenage years in the 1980’s. Every outing with high school friends ended with a trip to Friendly’s: the beach, tubing, movies, you name it Friendly’s was involved. Maybe it’s the reason I lost 20 pounds my freshman year of college, we didn’t have Friendly’s.

Friendly's Sundae To Go
Friendly’s Chocolate Chip Sundae To Go

Friendly’s is a New England tradition, the ice cream parlor around the corner where young and old can met in the corner booth, order a Happy Endings Sundae for 99 cents and have it served in a real glass sundae glass with whipped cream and a cherry on top.  Don’t know if Happy Ending are still 99 cents, but in the 1980’s they were just the right price. Some of my friends liked Fribbles better. (No, not Tribbles, but I wonder where they got the name) Fribbles are deliciously rich shakes, that almost need a spoon.

Get extra spoons though because with my group of friends sharing wasn’t an option, it was mandatory. Sharing sundaes is such a tradition at the restaurant that Sharable Sundaes were created, starting with the Jim Dandy

Sure, they serve burgers, salads, fries and the like, but who really goes to Friendly’s for real food when they have a whole menu dedicated to sundaes! I loved their ice cream sundaes so much I asked for a sundae menu to take to college.

Maybe it was the name that is inviting? It just sounds like a place for friends, family and good times. As a marketing geek I love the concept from start to finish. The name, the friendly setting, and the branding of the company has transcended generations and miles. I recently met someone in Nebraska who misses the sundaes as much as me and we are both fans of the Friendly’s facebook page. With over 300,000 fans there are a lot of people that love Friendly’s. I even read their Mom’s Just Want to Have Fun blog

Friendly's ice cream is best shared with friends. The Friendly's restaurant chain can be found east of Pennslyvania in the United States and they are best know for their sundaes

So now I marry my food passion with social media passion. Every Friendly’s Facebook  post receives dozens, if not hundreds, of comments and likes. Talk about a social media success! But it proves that online social media is just not a stand alone marketing method, it starts with “real” social media with “real” customers who have a social connection. There is a Friendly’s Twitter page if you’re into Twitter.

Friendly’s ice cream couldn’t be more social in the physical world, it’s all about interacting with friends. A perfect formula that transcends into online social media.  Excitement and new products are created, in this case new ice cream flavors and new salads. Social media is a great place to listen to your audience, and comments about store locations, hours, and complaints are posted as well. What a great way to listen to your customers. Every now and then the CEO of Friendly’s get’s on to chat. I’m campaigning for a Friendly’s restaurant in Nebraska, don’t know if I’ll get it, but it’s fun asking. I love it!

No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly's restaurant
No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly’s restaurant

The only advantage to not having a neighborhood Friendly’s is I can still walk through the doorway without walking sideways. Metabolism after age forty is a terrible thing. But when I go home I still gather with my best friends and order the mint chocolate chip cookie sundae shared over laughter and tears all those years ago.

Yes, longer than 2 minutes, but it got you craving for ice cream didn’t it.

If you like to make your own ice cream then head over to my ice cream recipe article.

More Friendly’s Articles

Are You a Good Marketer or a Great One? – bly.com blog … – Bob Bly

Friendly?s restaurant, regardless of what you think of their food, is often a great marketer. Yes, when you walk in, there are always specials, enticing you to buy more during your visit. These specials often include an ice cream …
Save Huge By Cutting Out Friendly’s Printable Coupons Inside your …

You could just be shocked at how many people throw their friendly s ice cream coupons away. You may determine to shop distinct retailers for savings instead of going to one shop at a time. Dollar shops usually can help you save an excellent …

Do you have any favorite Friendly’s restaurant memories?

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