A Friendly Life: The Autobiography of S. Prestley Blake, Co-Founder of Friendly Ice Cream Corp.

by Prestley Blake, Alan Farnham

S. Prestley Blake has lived the American dream. In partnership with his brother Curt and with the help of his parents, Pres started a small ice cream shop in Springfield, Massachusetts in the depths of the Great Depression. The brothers worked long hours, making ice cream at night and selling it during the day. From those humble beginnings, they created the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, a 500+ restaurant chain now known as Friendly’s. After selling Friendly to the Hershey Corporation in 1979, Pres set off to enjoy his leisure time with adventures around the world. But his retirement was interrupted at age 86, when he felt obligated to file a shareholder’s lawsuit against the new management team that owned Friendly’s. Today, ten years and eleven million dollars later, Pres is pleased with conversations he’s had with current Friendly’s management about the future of the company. Pres Blake’s life story is an inspiration to anyone who works hard, asks for advice, and gives back. “If I could do it,” says Pres, “So can you.”

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Bladestryke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can appreciate this book more than most as I know someone who worked at friendlys for many years and heard first had accounts of what goes on. That being said this book was really interesting. He never came off to much as a bragart but you do get that I'm of the 1% sometimes. It's sad to see the restaurant in the state it's in now and I wonder if the Blake's were younger more could have been done. If your a Springfield local this is a must read. Also a good read for those going into business.

[Mark Nessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

In it’s hey day, Friendlies provided comfort food and a comfortable experience. Compelling story by one of the co-founders, who looked out for the company and it’s employees, all of his working life and beyond.