Friendly’s in Cumberland County to close: ‘It was a blast while it lasted’

A Friendly's restaurant operating in Cumberland County for nearly four decades is closing.

Diners have until Sept. 22 to order their final Fribbles, sundaes and burgers, according to a sign posted at the restaurant at 3125 Market St. in Camp Hill.

"Attention Friends, We are sad to say that this location will be closing its doors this Sunday for the final time," reads the message. "It was a blast while it lasted and we will miss you all very much."

No reason was given for the closing and employees didn't respond when asked to comment.

The restaurant, built in the late 1980s, was one of a handful that operated in the region. In recent years, several of the restaurants, including those in Lower Paxton Township and Derry Township, closed.

The past several years have been rocky for the chain.

In 2011, Friendly Ice Cream LLC shut down 63 restaurants nationwide as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was acquired by Dean Foods. It filed for bankruptcy again in 2020 and was purchased by Brix Holdings, owner of Red Mango Yogurt Café, Souper Salad and Humble Donut Co.

According to Forbes , Friendly's operates 103 locations of which 97 are franchised. It closed about 23 locations between 2020 and 2022.

In its message, Friendly's in Camp Hill directs diners to other central Pa. Friendly's including 4601 High Pointe Blvd. in Swatara Township, 423 Loucks Road in York, 1701 Quentin Road in Lebanon and 445 Steinwehr Ave. in Gettysburg.