Friendly's Just Got Friendlier as they Use Trans Fat Free Oils

WILBRAHAM, Mass.-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Friendly's is making sure their customers' dining experience is even friendlier – for their health! The entire chain of family restaurants are taking proactive steps and setting an example for the restaurant industry by officially banning artificial trans fat from their menu.

The move continues the trend first set by Tiburon, Calif., in 2005, which became the first American city to voluntarily cook with trans fat free oils. Friendly's will be using a high mono-unsaturated canola oil product, which can actually help lower blood cholesterol.

"We are very excited to announce this new action and offer an artificial trans fat free menu to our customers," said Maura Tobias, director of public affairs and communications for Friendly's Restaurants.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, artificial trans fat is produced when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil -- a process called hydrogenation that turns liquid oils into solid fats. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Trans fat raises the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, that increases your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).

"This initiative is very important to everyone at Friendly's; we want to continue to try to provide our customers with their favorite foods but in a healthier way," said Andre Fuehr, vice president, Research and Development for Friendly’s. "We are excited to join others in the restaurant industry who have taken this same step and encourage others to do the same. This small step can have measurable effects on one's health."

Friendly's trans fats ban is part of the company's commitment to healthy living. The Friendly Ice Cream Corporation encourages and supports moderate food and drink consumption as part of a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle. The company is committed to offering a broad range of food and drink choices to its customers and to providing information about the nutritional content of its menu items, according Tobias.

Friendly's

Maura Tobias, 413-731-4238

Director, Public Affairs and Communications

Maura.tobias@friendlys.com