Friendly's: Fribbles, Sundaes, Takeout Ice Cream and the BFF Club Explained

Friendly's is the New England family restaurant chain founded in Massachusetts in the 1930s, known for ice cream, the Fribble milkshake and diner-style meals. The number of Friendly's restaurants has fallen a lot over the past decade, and most that remain are in the Northeast.

A good Friendly's order depends on finding a location that still operates, knowing what the menu does best, and using the BFF Club and online codes the right way. That is what this guide covers.

Find your nearest Friendly's first

Use the Friendly's website's location finder before planning a visit or an online order. Restaurants have closed over the years, and opening hours differ between locations.

Menus and prices can vary by restaurant, and some items or promotions are only at participating Friendly's locations. Check the menu for the specific restaurant you will order from.

Friendly's ice cream sold in supermarkets is made and distributed separately from the restaurants. Grocery tubs and restaurant promotions are different things, and restaurant codes will not apply at a supermarket.

What Friendly's does best

The ice cream is the reason to go. The Fribble is Friendly's thick milkshake, and sundaes range from simple scoops to large shared creations. If you only have room for one thing, make it a Friendly's sundae or Fribble.

The food menu is classic American diner: burgers, melts, chicken strips, salads and breakfast at many locations. Friendly's has long been known for burgers served on grilled bread as well as buns; check your menu for the current range.

Kids' meals at Friendly's have traditionally ended with a small sundae, which makes it popular with families. Ask what is included, since kids' deals differ by restaurant.

Takeout ice cream and cakes

Many Friendly's restaurants sell ice cream to take home, including tubs and ice cream cakes and rolls. Cakes suit birthdays and can often be personalised; order ahead if you need a specific design or size.

Plan the trip home. Ice cream cake softens quickly in a warm car. If your journey is longer than a short drive, bring a cool bag, and put the cake in the freezer as soon as you arrive.

Ask about the flavours available at your Friendly's. Seasonal flavours come and go, and not every location carries every tub.

Eating in without overspending

A Friendly's meal adds up fastest at dessert. Many menus pair an entrée with a sundae as a combo, which usually costs less than ordering the two separately. Compare the combo price with what you would actually order.

Sundaes are large. For two people, one big Friendly's sundae with extra spoons often makes more sense than two, and leaves room for a Fribble another day.

Weekday lunch and early evening are quieter than weekend dinner at most Friendly's restaurants, and some locations run weekday specials. Ask your server what is on that day before ordering from the main menu.

Online ordering, pick-up and delivery

Friendly's offers online ordering for pick-up at participating restaurants, and some locations work with delivery apps. Ordering direct is usually where Friendly's codes and BFF Club offers apply.

Delivery apps often charge higher menu prices plus service and delivery fees. For a family order, compare the total against ordering direct from Friendly's and collecting it yourself.

Ice cream travels badly. For sundaes and Fribbles, eating in or collecting yourself gives a much better result than delivery.

The Friendly's BFF Club

The BFF Club is the Friendly's email and rewards club. Members have typically received offers such as a sign-up treat, a birthday reward and periodic discounts on online orders.

Joining is free. If you eat at Friendly's more than once or twice a year, sign up before your next visit so the welcome and birthday offers arrive in time. Check the current BFF Club terms, as perks change.

Where the Friendly's savings are

These three are BFF Club online-ordering codes, so they are meant for orders placed direct with Friendly's, not delivery apps or in-restaurant bills.

The numbers in the dollar codes suggest a minimum spend, with the $10 code for bigger orders and the $5 code for smaller ones. Check the threshold at checkout.

The 25% code beats $10 off on any order above $40, which makes it the best pick for a family meal or a cake plus dinner. On a smaller order, the $10 or $5 code usually saves more.

Friendly's codes are typically single-use and may be restricted to participating restaurants. Only one normally applies per order.

Common questions

What is a Friendly's Fribble?

Friendly's thick milkshake, sold in several flavours.

Can I use Friendly's codes on delivery apps?

Usually not. They are meant for ordering direct with Friendly's.

Do Friendly's restaurant codes work on supermarket ice cream?

No. Grocery Friendly's ice cream is sold separately from the restaurants.

Is the Friendly's BFF Club free?

Yes. Sign up online to receive offers by email.