Local Friendly's and Big Y World Class Markets kick off '1-2-3...Kids Eat Free' campaign

Date: 6/7/2010

GREATER SPRINGFIELD Friendly's Restaurants and Big Y World Class Markets in Massachusetts and Connecticut announce their second annual "1-2-3...Kids Eat Free" campaign. During the promotion, families who purchase a carton of Friendly's ice cream at participating Big Y World Class Markets will receive a bonus a free Friendly's kid's meal.

Between June 3 and Sept. 1, local Big Y shoppers who purchase a 48-ounce carton of Friendly's ice cream will receive a Big Y Express Rewards Silver Coin. Shoppers can redeem their Express Rewards Silver Coin at the store's customer service desk for a coupon good for a free Friendly's kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entree. The offer is valid on small kid's meals ($5.49 value) through Sept. 30.

"Our customers loved this promotion when we first launched it last year," said Anna Panaia, general manager of Friendly's in Agawam, located at 19 Springfield St. "Our continuing partnership with Big Y World Class Markets allows us to make this special offer to our local customers again this year. We hope this promotion will help families enjoy a night out together at a time when family budgets are stretched thin."

Friendly's relationship with Big Y World Class Markets goes back to 1989 when the grocery store chain signed on as Friendly's first retail customer. Both companies started out as family-owned businesses in Springfield almost 75 years ago, according to Zeynep Akkan, marketing manager at Friendly's.

"Our partnership today is as strong as ever," Akkan said. "We look forward to seeing more initiatives like '1-2-3...Kids Eat Free' develop out of our strong relationship with Big Y World Class Markets."

"All of us at Big Y are excited about this partnership between two companies with roots in our local community. We hope that many of our local families will enjoy a great Friendly's meal together through our Kids Eat Free program," said Phillip J. Schneider, vice president of sales for Big Y Foods Inc.

For more information, visit your local Friendly's restaurant or Big Y World Class Market.