High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is the owner and operator of the Friendly`s restaurant chain on the United States` East Coast. Founded in 1935 in Springfield, Massachusetts by brothers Curtis Blake (then 18) and S. Prestley Blake, 20, their first shop served double-dip cones for 5 cents. Many Friendly`s have an old-fashioned street clock at their entrance with the town`s name, although not on newer or renovated stores. Friendly`s has 16,000 employees; Harsha Agadi is the president and CEO.