Massachusetts is no stranger to businesses closing down. When you combine the post-pandemic climate, the surge in the cost of living, SNAP program cuts, and trying to make ends meet, it’s no surprise that retailers, banks, pharmacies, and restaurants have had to shut down or restructure their business models.
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Massachusetts-based eatery Friendly’s has had to close many locations over the years, and in late October 2025, it was no different. After 38 years of operation, the Friendly’s restaurant at 146 Church Street in Pembroke, Massachusetts, has permanently closed.
As noted earlier, Friendly’s has closed quite a few locations over the years. I remember when Berkshire County had at least six Friendly’s restaurants. Now, there is only one location of the Massachusetts chain in the Berkshires, and that is the 841 Dalton Ave. restaurant in Pittsfield.
In September of last year, the Greenfield location shut down after 42 years of operation to make way for a new Starbucks. A few years ago, Friendly’s revamped its Westfield location and opened its first cafe version of the restaurant, Friendly’s Cafe. I have also noticed over the past couple of years that Friendly’s stopped serving breakfast, at least in Pittsfield.
Where Can I Find a Friendly’s Near Me in Massachusetts?
Even though it’s a shrinking list, Friendly’s still has over 20 locations in Massachusetts, including the following towns and cities:
The PB&J is a quintessentially American sandwich, but it’s simply not as ubiquitous in other countries. Part of the reason is that peanut butter has been historically difficult to find in countries like Argentina and the Philippines, where there just isn’t a big appetite for the product.
Chicken-fried steak
Although this dish has roots and similarities to German and Austrian wiener schnitzel or Argentinian milanesa, people commonly identify chicken-fried steak with the American South. The dish, which doesn’t include chicken at all, consists of a breaded and fried beefsteak, typically served with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Sweet potato casserole
It’s either beloved or despised, but a sweet potato casserole will almost always be found at an American Thanksgiving dinner table. The recipe involves roasting sweetened sweet potatoes topped with a gooey layer of marshmallows and was first introduced in 1917 thanks to the Angelus Marshmallows company’s effort to increase sales.
Ambrosia salad
Ambrosia salad is popular in the South, particularly around the holidays. The dish typically includes a variety of canned fruits, marshmallows, coconut, and creamy ingredients like mayonnaise, whipped cream, sour cream, or yogurt. The earliest reference to this sweet salad is in the 1867 “Dixie Cookery” cookbook by Maria Massey Barringer.
Cheez Whiz
Cheez Whiz, a spreadable, processed cheese that comes in a jar or spray can, turns heads in countries like France, where high-quality cheese is a national treasure. While the first commercially processed cheese was made in Switzerland in 1911, the treat has been uniquely American since Kraft patented a formula for processed cheese in America in 1916. It has since been the choice cheese for many dishes, including Philly’s iconic cheesesteak…