Franchisee buys 32 more Friendly's spots
Ronkonkoma-based Friendly's has nearly doubled in size with the purchase of 32 more Friendly's restaurants in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York State.
Joseph Vitrano, owner of a Ronkonkoma-based Friendly's restaurant group that includes all 33 Long Island franchises, has now nearly doubled his group in size with the purchase of 32 more Friendly's restaurants -- making him the nation's top franchisee for the chain.
The locations newly acquired by J&B Restaurant Partners are all in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York State. Vitrano said he plans to "remodel and refresh" them all.
Vitrano took control of the restaurants Monday.
He's also made a commitment to build 19 Friendly's eateries during the next seven years.
"This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand the Friendly's brand throughout the region," Vitrano said in a statement. "As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Friendly's on Long Island, we are excited to extend the success of our decade-long relationship with Friendly's through this transaction."
The newly bought restaurants include locations in Yonkers and Mount Kisco; Passaic and Toms River, N.J., and Bridgeport and Danbury, Conn.
In the announcement, Vitrano listed his executive team, who will help run the 65-restaurant group: Gerry Snearly, chief financial officer; Greg Alagna, senior vice president for operations, and Dawn Petite, vice president for operations.
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Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.
