Several Friendly's locations across the region have suddenly closed.
According to signs on the restaurant doors and staff members, here are the following locations that are now closed.
- Syracuse: James Street
- Syracuse: Erie Blvd.
- Clay: Great Northern Mall
- Oswego: West Bridge Street
- Binghamton: Front Street
- Endicott: East Main Street
Customers looking to eat there on Sunday were turned away.
Longtime customer Linda Tonkin says she goes to the restaurant two to three times a week.
"They were just great people and we're going to miss them all." said Tonkin. "And I know some of them really needed a job there, too. That's what hurts and they way the did it, that's no way to run a business.
The Friendly's locations in Horseheads, Lansing, Cortland, New Hartford, Johnson City and the Clay restaurant separate from Great Northern Mall will remain open.
Spectrum News acquired a letter sent to the restaurant's locations from CEO George Michel, which in part said there were certain "locations in geographic areas that have changed dramatically in some cases since those restaurants first opened."
"After a months-long evaluation and careful consideration, we have decided to close 23 corporate-owned restaurants, effective immediately," the letter said. "While this was a tough decision, we are confident it will best position the brand for a bright future. Especially difficult is the impact these closures will have on the locations’ wonderful employees, who we are working to support with opportunities in other locations or severance payments and other assistance."
Several locations in the Rochester area also closed their doors over the weekend.